Givens opts for safety first style

Having arrived at this tournament with what the Americans would refer to as an "Oh and two" record, and then being handed a meeting with defending champions Columbia in his side's opening game this evening, Don Givens had reason to tread cautiously in Toulon last night.

Early (well, even earlier) in his reign as the Republic of Ireland's under-21 boss, the former Manchester United striker made it clear that his would be adventurous, attacking Ireland team.

But faced with the prospect of losing to a South American side that contains most of the key players who triumphed here 12 months ago, Givens has put his wingers in cold storage for the moment, switched to 44-2 and decided to give the title holders at least a little of what the locals here refer to as the British game.

"The fact is," said the Ireland boss yesterday, "that in group competitions like this probably the most important thing is that you don't lose your opening game. The most important thing for us is to have a solid base there, rather than to be looking to do anything spectacular just yet."

Over the past couple of weeks, of course, Givens has lost three players - Richard Dunne, Andy O'Brien and Jason Gavin - who might have been expected to give him just the sort of stability in front of goal that he is seeking, and he admits to being just a little concerned about the relative inexperience of this evening's central defensive pairing of Brian McGovern and Barry Ferguson, who have one and three caps at this level respectively.

In front of them will be Barry Quinn and Stoke's James O'Connor, and while the latter will be making his under-21 debut at the Stade Mayol in the host city, his manager reckons the "marvellous" season he has enjoyed at club level should ensure that "a ball-winning midfielder who never gives anybody a minute on the ball" will have a good first outing.

With Martin Rowlands and Alan Quinn out wide, it is the midfield where Givens is hoping the game can be turned in Ireland's favour. And he will be looking to Gary Doherty and Graham Barrett to strike up a more or less instantaneous understanding up front.

A key factor will be the ability of the holders to cope with Doherty's strength in the air, but the Tottenham player is going to have his work cut out. Last year the South Americans coasted through a tournament they clinched with an easy win over Argentina in the final.

Johnnier Montano, the then 16-year-old striker snapped up by Parma on the basis of his performances here, misses out this year, ironically on the basis that the Italian club won't release him. The guts of the team is back, though, and clearly see themselves as favourites.

"I don't know too much about them except from reports that they have a very high level of technical ability," Givens said, "and, with the players we have lost, we'll need to combat that with a bit of power and strength."

Republic of Ireland: Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Heary (Huddersfield Town), McGuinness (Arsenal), Ferguson (Coventry City), Clarke (Stoke City); Rowlands (Brentford), B Quinn (Coventry) capt, O'Connor (Stoke City), A Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday); Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Barrett (Arsenal).