Experienced squad for France game
CONNACHT'S Clare Molloy is the only uncapped player named in the Ireland squad to take on France in the women's international at Templeville Road tomorrow night (7.30). Coach Steve Hennessy, in his first season in charge, has chosen a side with 431 caps and will be hoping to build on last year's fourth place finish.
Hennessy enthused: “I have been really impressed with the skills, dedication and commitment the girls have shown over the last number of weeks I am just looking at the French game for now and with them first up at home it is a real chance for us to set out our stall for the rest of the season.”
IRELAND: J O’Sullivan (Ulster); J Feighery (Munster), L Cantwell (Munster), H Brosnan (Munster), A Davis (Ulster); N Briggs (Munster), T Rosser (Leinster); F Coghlan (Leinster), Y Nolan (Leinster), G Bourke (Munster); C Mahon (Leinster), O Brennan (Leinster); L Austin (Leinster), S Ryan (Leinster), J Neville (Munster, capt). Replacements: J Limbert (Ulster), E McManamly (Leinster), K O’Loughlin (Munster), C Molloy (Connacht), L Beamish (Munster), S Houston (Leinster), G Davitt (Leinster).
D’Arcy turns out for Lansdowne
WAS IT a throw back to the old days when Irish centre Gordon D’Arcy turned out for Lansdowne last weekend in the All-Ireland League? In the amateur era of days gone by international gentlemen were given the choice of either playing for their club the week before an international or taking a break.
But the former winner of the Six Nations Championship Player of The Year award not only togged out for Lansdowne last Saturday, but also scored a try for the second division side. The international requested to play for his club to the surprise of the modest crowd that turned up to support. Match practice, following a long injury- induced lay-off, rather than exercising an ancient right seems to have been his reason.
Back in team
CLEMENT Poitrenaud returns to the French team this weekend for the first time in 15 months. A broken leg kept him on the sidelines for nearly 11 months, but he is looking forward to Saturday’s clash with Ireland. “It is always difficult to play against Ireland particularly in their home stadium at Croke Park. They are a very good team on paper and if we let them gets their tails up and dominate then it could be very difficult. It all depends on us and we have to hit the ground running.”
Drooling over the French
L’EQUIPE’S website published the views of several opposing coaches on France’s chances in the Six Nations Championship. Here’s a taste of what they had to say about Marc Lievremont’s squad.
Wales coach, Warren Gatland: “I think the match in Paris will be the most difficult.
“Having lost last year, the French will be very motivated. Games between Wales and France are great spectacles. We like to score tries and play attractive rugby, like the French, and that makes for good rugby.”
England supremo Martin Johnson: “The French team, like England, are in a transitional phase with new players. But the French always have a good team because it is made up of quality players. People talk about the Welsh being favourites but I believe that France and England aren’t far behind.”
Scotland coach Frank Hadden: “One is always envious of the quality of players available to the French coach. France have a style of playing rugby that I adore.”
Clarke set for first game in charge
UNDER-20 Ireland coach Allen Clarke’s first game since taking over from Eric Elwood sees him lead his charges against France at Dubarry Park (7.30) tomorrow night. He’s elected to call upon three of last year’s backline in fullback Ian Madigan, wing David Kearney (Ireland senior fullback Rob’s younger brother) and Eamonn Sheridan. The sibling connection is extended by the presence in the pack of brothers Ciarán and Rhys Ruddock, sons of former Leinster and Wales coach Mike Ruddock, the latter now in charge of Guinness Premiership side Worcester Warriors.
The Ireland team will be captained by Peter O’Mahony.
IRELAND:I Madigan (Blackrock College/ Leinster); D Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), I McKinley (UCD/Leinster), E Sheridan (Lansdowne/Leinster), M Keating (Clontarf/Leinster); A Burke (Garryowen/ Munster), C Murray (Garryowen/Munster); J McGrath (St Marys College/Leinster), T Sexton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), J O'Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster); C Ruddock (Neath), M Flanagan (UCD/Leinster); R Ruddock (Neath), D Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster), P OMahony (Cork Constitution/Munster). Replacements: D McGregor (Ballynahinch/Ulster), P McAllister (Ballynahinch/Ulster), J Sandford (Queens University/Ulster), M Noone (Seapoint Lansdowne/Leinster), J Cooney (UCD/Leinster), G Foley (Blackrock College/Leinster), M Doyle (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Leicester Tigers scrumhalf Harry Ellis will not travel with the England Saxons team to take on Ireland A at Donnybrook tomorrow. England’s senior scrumhalf Danny Care is nursing a shoulder problem and Ellis has been retained by Martin Johnson in the national squad to take on Italy at Twickenham on Saturday. London Irish’s Paul Hodgson will take Ellis’ place on the Saxons with Wasps Joe Simpson to join the replacements.
IRELAND A:Gavin Duffy (Galwegians/ Connacht), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/ Ulster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/ Ulster), Keith Matthews (Buccaneers/ Connacht), Mark McCrea (Malone/Ulster); Jonathan Sexton (St. Marys College/ Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Wasps), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht), Mike Ross (Harlequins); Bob Casey (London Irish, Capt); Ryan Caldwell (Dungannon/ Ulster); Neil Best (Northampton), Shane Jennings (St Marys College/Leinster), John Muldoon (Galwegians/Connacht).
Replacements:John Fogarty (Leinster), John Andress (Exeter); Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster); Isaac Boss (Ballymena/Ulster); Ian Humphreys (Ballymena/Ulster), Barry Murphy (UL Bohemians/Munster).
