World Cup selection on minds of both A teams

WORLD Cup recognition will be on the minds of all the players when Ireland and England clash in the A international at Donnybrook this evening, kick-off scheduled for 7pm.

Both teams include many potential contenders for Australia later this year, but because of the way things have panned out, Ireland will have John Kelly and Leo Cullen completely idle throughout the weekend.

On the other hand, Donncha O’Callaghan, who made such a favourable impression when coming off the bench in Cardiff last week, is in the second row alongside former Lion Jeremy Davidson.

The pack contains a couple of other internationals, Simon Easterby and Kieron Dawson.

Brian O’Meara has another chance to prove to Eddie O’Sullivan that he, and not Guy Easterby, should be understudy to Peter Stringer in the autumn Down Under.

There is also an opportunity for two other former Irish players, wings James Topping and Tyrone Howe, to make an impression.

It is a strong Irish side but so, too, is the England A team.

Andy Gomarsall, and flanker Jamie Forrester will renew acquaintance with the Irish. Meanwhile there are two late changes in the side. Full back Gordan Darcy is replaced by Mark McHugh and Gavin Duffy is replaced in the centre by Mike Mullins,

IRELAND: M McHugh; J Topping, M Mullins, D Quinlan, T Howe; B Everitt, B O’Meara; E Byrne, P Shields, S Best, D O’Callaghan, J Davidson, S Easterby, K Dawson, D Dillon. Replacements: J Blaney, P Bracken, M O’Driscoll, A McCullen,

M Prendergast, J Holland, A Horgan.

ENGLAND: D Scarborough; P Christophers, F Waters, B Johnston, M Cueto; A King, A Gomarsall; M Worsley, M Regan, R Morris, S Shaw, C Jones, M Corry, A Vander, J Forrester.

Replacements: A Titterill, M Fitzgerald, T Palmer, H Vyvyan, N Walshe, O Barkley, M Stephenson.