Russians won’t sit back

THE particular appeal of today’s match between the Republic of Ireland and Russia at Lansdowne Road (4pm) is enhanced by the fact that either team can win the group and qualify automatically for Euro 2004 in Portugal next year.

With Switzerland currently leading the group there is little room for manoeuvre and, certainly, little time to recover any more lost points for either of today's combatants.

From an Irish point of view, an intriguing feature of the three-cornered contest for the two privileged positions in this group second will go into a play-off is that Russia will follow today's match by playing Switzerland on Wednesday next in Moscow.