O'Sullivan offers one last chance to shine

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan will give a whole host of players one last chance each to prove that their place is among the 30-man World Cup squad that departs for France on Sunday afternoon.

Against Scotland on Saturday the coach will aim to resolve the contentious backrow positions by first looking at Stephen Ferris, Jamie Heaslip and Neil Best, before introducing Alan Quinlan and Keith Gleeson.

Leinster's Heaslip will get the chance to state his case at number eight in Murrayfield, with Ulster's Ferris on the openside and provincial team-mate Best at number six.

The flankers and number eight position - as well as cover for them - are the most keenly contested in this Ireland squad. The absence of Simon Easterby, Denis Leamy and David Wallace, a backrow that featured prominently in this year's Six Nations, suggests that the trio are already on the plane, leaving the five aforementioned contenders in the running for just two places.

Secondrows Mick O'Driscoll, Leo Cullen and Trevor Hogan are left out, which does not bode well for their tournament aspirations. O'Sullivan has instead opted to start with the experienced Malcolm O'Kelly at lock, beside Paul O'Connell.

The coach must pick his final 30-man squad after the Scotland game in time for the August 14th deadline, but as it stands the announcement is due on the 12th ahead of the squad's departure for Capbreton in southern France.

Tommy Bowe has recovered sufficiently from his Achilles strain to make one last dash for the final squad from the left wing, but his direct opponent for the shirt, Brian Carney, is selected at number 14. Both are understudies to Denis Hickie and Shane Horgan.  The latter is on a strong bench that includes prop John Hayes, outhalf Ronan O'Gara and hooker Rory Best.

O'Sullivan's decision to offer game time to captain Brian O'Driscoll and his deputy O'Connell could, perhaps, provide support to those still under pressure to perform. The duo are the only two players in the team not to have been involved in the Argentina Tour.

O'Driscoll starts alongside inside centre Gavin Duffy, while O'Connell begins with a more familiar partner in the shape of Ireland's most-capped player O'Kelly, who also has a point to prove.

Geordan Murphy will aim to ease O'Sullivan's obvious concern over playing him at fullback, but with no other option for 15 on the bench Duffy may well find himself back there for a period as the coach aims to tick all the boxes.

The Ulster duo of Paddy Wallace and Isaac Boss will start at outhalf and scrumhalf respectively, as they look to build on confidence ahead of the tournament opener against Namibia on September 9th.

"This is a more than a warm up match for the World Cup, for some it's a one-off game before the squad is selected," said the coach today. "Some may not have expected O'Connell and O'Driscoll to start but they need to get on the pitch.

"Brian has not played since March and Paul has played just twice since then so it's important to get them on.

"We'll bring some players off the bench and give them the chance to play," he added. "We're trying to get access to areas of the team that we need more information about.

"At the moment it's the backrow that is causing the greatest headache."

In the Scotland camp Chris Paterson moves to outhalf for the first time in three years this Saturday and will win his 75th cap.

He has not started in the number ten jersey since Scotland played France in 2004.

"Chris has practised at stand-off throughout the summer. It's vital that we take advantage of his skills. He can make things awkward for oppositions. He's a different player from Dan Parks and Gordon Ross," coach Frank Hadden said today.

Paterson will be partnered by Mike Blair, who returns to international rugby after missing the Six Nations championship through injury. There is also a return for Scotland skipper Jason White, another to miss the Six Nations.

While picking "a side to win" Hadden has given a number of players the chance to promote themselves, including full back Rory Lamont, who will go head to head with Hugo Southwell for the number 15 jersey, outside centre Rob Dewey, loosehead prop Allan Jacobsen, and lock Jim Hamilton.

Ireland: Geordan Murphy, Brian Carney, Brian O'Driscoll, Gavin Duffy, Tommy Bowe, Paddy Wallace, Isaac Boss, Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris, Neil Best, Paul O'Connell, Malcolm O'Kelly, Simon Best, Jerry Flannery, Bryan Young.

Replacements:Rory Best, John Hayes, Alan Quinlan, Keith Gleeson, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O'Gara, Shane Horgan

Scotland:Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rob Dewey, Andrew Henderson, Simon Webster, Chris Paterson, Mike Blair, Simon Taylor, Allister Hogg, Jason White, Jim Hamilton, Nathan Hines, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen

Replacements:Fergus Thomson, Craig Smith, Scott MacLeod, Kelly Brown, Chris Cusiter, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell