Exiles may struggle to develop team pattern

Thomond Park tonight offers aspiring internationals a platform to advance their claims for recognition before the keen eyes of the Irish team management as a Development XV takes on an Exiles XV under floodlights. Manager Pat Whelan and coach Brian Ashton take time out from preparing the senior side for Saturday's international against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road to evaluate fringe players and those who cherish more than that sobriquet.

The Exiles, deprived of former internationals Niall Woods, Christian Saverimutto and Niall Malone, and a potential one in Justin Bishop, may struggle to establish any sort of pattern collectively, thereby damaging individual hopes of prominence.

The Development XV boast a superb backrow in Trevor Brennan, Victor Costello and Alan Quinlan, all of whom will be desperate to press claims for a place against Canada at the end of the month.

The team also boasts a hardworking second row and fine halfbacks, particularly the in-form O'Mahony. The three-quarters remains unproven either as a unit or as individuals, with the exception of Dominic Crotty who has already been capped.

Despite the absence of several key players, the Exiles can muster a couple of promising young players, including the flying Richmond wing Dominic Chapman and former under-21 international Simon Easterby. Chapman joined Richmond from Harlequins and has made a huge impression. Small in stature, his main attribute is pace.

Easterby is an outstanding prospect, though possibly not in the number eight role that he performed for the underage team.

Former Queensland scrum-half Brad Free is expected to start, while ex-international fullback Simon Mason would like to remind the selectors that there is more to his game than simply an accurate boot.

The outcome of tonight's game is immaterial: it is a time where individual flair, intelligence and a capacity to play under pressure are prerequisites on any aspirant's curriculum vitae.