O'Sullivan advises against complacency

Eddie O’Sullivan already knows Ireland’s starting line-up for the World Cup - but will not hesitate to swing the axe if players lose form.

Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell are the only first-team regulars to be selected for Saturday’s clash with Scotland as O’Sullivan puts the finishing touches to his squad for France.

The Ireland head coach will unveil his 30-strong party on Sunday morning with the trip to Murrayfield offering one last opportunity to finalise the few remaining places available.

But while the weekend’s drama will centre around the identity of the fringe players who will make it to the World Cup, the focus will shift against Italy two weeks later.

O’Sullivan will field close to his strongest side at Ravenhill and has pencilled in his team for the World Cup opener against Namibia on September 9, although he is willing to make changes if necessary.

He said: “We know Ireland’s first XV and that was the players who didn’t go on the summer tour to Argentina but who played against England in the Six Nations.

“But we have to be realistic too. Players must keep their form up.

“If people step off there is room for change because there are guys breathing down the necks of some of the more established players.

“That’s very healthy and if you didn’t have it then human nature means players would sometimes take their eye off the job.

“At a tournament like the World Cup it only takes a few players for that to happen and we’d be in trouble.

“We all have a pretty good headset on what the starting XV is. But there is always room for change and that’s down to form.”

Back row remains the fiercest battleground with O’Sullivan committed to taking five loose forwards to the World Cup, with four already inked in.

Another four – Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris, Keith Gleeson and Alan Quinlan - will hope to impress at some point on Saturday with the latter two starting on the bench.

O’Sullivan is a known admirer of Quinlan’s, Gleeson is a specialist openside while Heaslip and Ferris are gifted youngsters with bright futures.

But it is possibly Ferris who is in the driving seat with the Ulster rookie, handed the number seven jersey against Scotland, given the chance to prove he can supply cover across the entire back row.

“Openside is not Stephen Ferris’ best position. He can play there but he’s more of a six or eight given his physique and skill set,” said O’Sullivan.

“Across the board back rows have similar skills sets – ball carrying, handling a physical presence. Stephen fits that bill.

“I’ve seen him play comfortably at openside for Ulster but international is a step up. It’s a big ask for him but he’s a very talented player.

“He doesn’t lack enthusiasm and is very capable of making the switch.”

O’Sullivan may be wrestling with the back row conundrum but at fly-half he has already settled on Ronan O’Gara and Paddy Wallace.

Wallace will start against the Scots with O’Gara – arguably Ireland’s most irreplaceable player – named on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.

“The two fly-halves for the World Cup are Ronan and Paddy. I was very happy with Paddy in Argentina, even though he didn’t play in the second Test,” said O’Sullivan.