Young stars to face A level test

EDDIE O’Sullivan has chosen a largely developmental Ireland A side to meet their French counterparts in Limoges on Friday.

The coach said he would learn nothing new from including Shane Byrne, Reggie Corrigan, Girvan Dempsey, Guy Easterby, Anthony Foley, Keith Gleeson, Denis Hickie, Anthony Horgan and John Kelly, opening the way for younger players.

Ian Dowling, Barry Murphy and Tomas O’Leary, impressive for Munster, are included in the back division, while young back-row forwards like Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings and Neil Best will have the opportunity to catch O’Sullivan’s eye.