Ireland A in Donnybrook This Evening

22/03/02. The Ireland A side, unbeaten to date, will go into this evening’s game against Italy in Donnybrook (6pm) as long odds-on favourites to win a set up a Grand Slam date with the French.

The biggest threat may come from complacency and perhaps the distraction of the negotiations their coach Matt Williams (pictured) is currently involved in with the IRFU. However according to captain Reggie Corrigan, his side, like their senior colleagues will not buy into the general view that they will hammer the Italians. ” We don’t see it that way, it certainly won’t be easy. I do think we are good enough to win if we get everything right but we can’t sit back and hope it happens, we have to make it happen. At the same time we have to have respect for them.” Tyrone Howe and John Kelly, try scorers against England have been called up to the senior side which means a start for Anthony Horgan on the wing while Jason Holland is back to partner his Munster teammate Mike Mullins in the centre. Horgan showed his current well being with two tries for his club Cork Constitution last weekend and he can stake a claim to greater glory with a good performanc this evening.

There is also an opportunity for Gavin Hickie, the Leinster number 2 hooker to impress.

Ireland A.Paddy Wallace (Ulster/Ballymena); Gordon Darcy (Leinster/Lansdowne), Mike Mullins (Munster/Young Munster) Jason Holland (Munster/Midleton), Anthony Horgan (Munster/Cork Constitution); Paul Burke (Harlequins)
Neil Doak (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins); Reggie Corrigan capt(Leinster/Lansdowne), Gavin Hickie (Leinster/St. Mary’s College), Simon Best (Ulster/Belfast Harlequins); Leo Cullen (Leinster/Blackrock College), Bob Casey (Leinster/Blackrock College); Alan Quinlan (Munster/Shannon), Keith Gleeson (Leinster/St. Mary’s College), Victor Costello (Leinster/St. Mary’s College).

Replacements: James Blaney (Munster/Shannon), Marcus Horan (Munster/Shannon), Donnacha O’Callaghan (Munster/Cork Constitution),
-Andy Ward (Ulster/Ballynahinch), Brian O’Meara (Leinster/Cork Constitution), Jeremy Staunton (Munster/Garryowen), Justin Bishop (London Irish).