Triple Crown chance for Miller

Tonight's a international at Donnybrook presents a final opportunity at representative level for those hoping to grab a boarding pass on Ireland's flight to Argentina, Canada and the US this summer. The AIB League will offer further platforms but cannot ape the match conditions of shadow Test rugby.

There is also the small matter of potentially matching the achievements of their senior brethren - if both Ireland teams win this weekend then they will finish with four wins from five matches. The bragging rights will be disputed, but the fact that the A side can win a Triple Crown having already beaten England and Scotland should give them the edge.

Incidentally Wales have also won three of their four matches at this level, losing only to England. Ireland's only defeat came last time out against France, a match in which the pack competed wholeheartedly and effectively. Typically there are wholesale changes once again, eight in total from the French match.

Cork Constitution centre John Kelly returns after injury in the centre where he will form a provincial partnership with Mike Mullins, the latter somewhat unlucky that an embarrassment of riches has forced his demotion from the senior squad. The introduction of Blackrock College outhalf Emmet Farrell should provide for better distribution to the three-quarter line and this will be further facilitated by the quick hands of Brian O'Meara at scrumhalf.

Shane Byrne's absence through injury allows an opportunity for Allen Clarke at hooker, while Paddy Johns, fresh from Paris, will captain the side from the second row. Trevor Brennan's illness provides an opportunity for Eric Miller at blindside flanker, one component in a very mobile backrow. It is a unit in which Ireland is especially strong and for all three - David Wallace and Dion O'Cuinneagain are the other two - an opportunity to state a strong case for the summer tour.

It is anticipated that the travelling party will include a number of the under-21 team, most notably Jeremy Staunton, Kieron Campbell and possibly Donnacha O'Callaghan. Gordon D'Arcy would also challenge strongly but may be dependent on how the management view the Girvan Dempsey, Peter McKenna, Geordan Murphy and Dominic Crotty quartet.

Ireland A coach Declan Kidney will try to put some structures in place from limited preparation but one suspects that the players will be given the latitude to express themselves.

Irrespective of whether Mark Taylor is fit enough or not to play on the senior side, Scott Gibbs will not line-out at Donnybrook tonight. Ebbw Vale's Jonathan Hawker comes into the shadow side.

Those who travel to Donnybrook can reasonably expect an open, fast flowing game and given Irish rugby's season to date perhaps the opportunity to celebrate a Triple Crown.

Ireland A: D Crotty (Garryowen); G Murphy (Leicester), J Kelly (Cork Constitution), M Mullins (Young Munster), T Howe (Dungannon); E Farrell (Blackrock College), B O'Meara (Cork Constitution); M Horan (Shannon), A Clarke (Dungannon), P Wallace (Saracens); P Johns (Dungannon, capt), L Cullen (Blackrock College); E Miller (Terenure College), D O'Cuinneagain (Ballymena), D Wallace (Garryowen).

Wales A: K Morgan (Swansea); G Wyatt (Swansea), L Davies (Cardiff), J Hawker(Ebbw Vale), D Williams (Neath); J Strange (Ebbw Vale), P John (Pontypridd (capt); I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), A Lewis (Cardiff), B Evans (Swansea); A Newman (Neath), C Wyatt (Llanelli); A Gibbs (Newport), S Williams Cardiff), I Boobyer (Llanelli).