IN ordinary circumstances an international involving Ireland in the third week in May would take place in the southern hemisphere. But the circumstances surrounding the Peace International between Ireland and the Barbarians at Lansdowne Road this afternoon are far from ordinary.
The game is the brainchild of two former Irish internationals, Hugo MacNeill and Trevor Ringland, and is seen as a statement of rugby's contribution to peace on this island. It also is an occasion devoid of politics, as rugby in this island has always stayed.
That the Barbarians should be providing the opposition for the national team on such an occasion is entirely appropriate. The Barbarians are a club without a home, a club without a ground, but the most famous rugby touring club in the game.
Wearing the famous black and white jersey has always been deemed an honour second only to international representation. It has proved a unifying force for players from all nations. It knows no national boundaries and most of the greatest players from these islands and more recently from across the rugby world have played for the Barbarians.
The team the Barbarians will field today is in the best traditions of the club, a side drawn from across the world embracing players from four nations.
The Barbarians' philosophy has always been to play attacking rugby and demonstrate the best virtues of that approach. However, they also go out to win but to do so with style. And through the years they have fashioned some very famous victories against major touring teams.
Many of those who will be present today will have been at Lansdowne Road on a memorable occasion in the autumn of 1994 when the Barbarians recorded a famous win act the oldest international ground in the world. That afternoon the Barbarians defeated the Springboks, who were led by Francois Pienaar.
Pienaar was due to captain the Barbarians this afternoon but is ruled out by injury, as is another famous player who has graced the scene in Dublin through the years, David Campese, the most prolific try scorer in the history of international rugby.
Ireland also had to make changes with Angus McKeen coming in at tight head prop for Paul Wallace. Yesterday Nick Popplewell, one of the Ireland replacements, withdrew because of a damaged hamstring and his place goes to Ireland A prop Paul Flavin. Another replacement, Dominic Crotty, withdrew on Thursday and is replaced by Maurice Field.
Despite the defections from the Barbarians side, the team still has the talent to test the durability of the Irish defence. The world's most capped player Phillipe Sella is in the centre and is partnered by Philip De Glanville, a player with the attributes to fit into the pattern of potent attack.
The versatile Eric Rush is on one wing and the most capped wing in the game, Rory Underwood, on the other. Over 200 caps between that quartet and still counting. All Black Stephen Bachop, one time of Blackrock, and Springbok Johan Roux form the half back pairing and Jonathan Callard is at full back. So a potent mix of talent, pace and flair.
The supply line to that unit will have a distinctly Leicester and England influence, a factor that should help teamwork and understanding. There is an all Leicester front row of Graham Rowntree, Richard Cockerill and Darren Garforth. Rowntree is England's current loose head, Cockerill and Garforth both A internationals who maintain the Barbarians tradition of always including at least one uncapped player.
The second row is an AngloFrench amalgam of Olivier Brouzet and Nigel Redman, while Dean Richards will be at number eight flanked by Steve Ojomoh and Laurent Cabannes.
Ireland include three uncapped players - left wing James Topping, centre Robert Henderson, and McKeen. Ireland manager Pat Whelan said: "It is not the team we would necessarily select were it a Five Nations match but it includes most of those who would be in such a team and it provides a fine platform for the younger players."
It will be interesting to see how Jeremy Davidson fares in the line out. He has been in tremendous form of late and gets better with each match. His partnership with Gabriel Fulcher, another who has had a fine season, has immense potential. Henry Hurley gets a run at loose head prop and his international experience consists of just a few minutes as a temporary replacement against Fiji.
Then there is the return of Eddie Halvey on the blind side flank. His season has been badly disrupted by injury. Here is the ideal opportunity to prove he has regained fitness and retained his quality. It is also the kind of match in which Victor Costello the Ireland number eight can prosper, and Denis McBride brings vast experience to the Ireland back row.
That pack should be able to provide some worthwhile possession for the Ireland backs. And while the pace, flair and opportunism of Simon Geoghegan may be missed there is enough talent in the back line to use the ball effectively. Out half David Humphreys certainly has the attributes to prosper on this kind of occasion and one hopes his partner, Ireland captain Niall Hogan, will be able to give him a fast and accurate service.
It is a big test for the young Ireland midfield combination of Henderson and Jonathan Bell. It gives Bell the chance to show he still has the quality to make an international centre of substance after what has been for him a disappointing season. The wings, Richard Wallace and Topping, certainly have the pace to avail of opportunity but will probably get an examination of their defensive ability, while full back Simon Mason should get the chance to indulge his attacking leanings.
A win for Ireland would be welcome and an accomplishment of note, but whoever wins, it should be a most enjoyable occasion. It should be competitive and, of course, the Barbarians will want to win, but a match free from the tensions and the pressures that are an integral part of matches between nations.
