TENNIS/Davis Cup: Owen Casey, making his debut as Ireland's non-playing team captain in the Davis Cup tie with Egypt starting this afternoon at the Fitzwilliam club, was pleased with yesterday's draw.

But a notable lack in experience may weigh heavily on the largely untested Ireland side who are without number one professional, Peter Clarke. Clarke is serving a one-match ban due to an incident in the match against Slovenia last summer.

John Doran's call-up partly redresses this loss in terms of experience but he has quit the professional circuit and his match fitness at this level may come into question.

Higher world rankings does not guarantee the visitors success but finding a way to compensate for inexperience will be a priority for Casey's team from day one when the 1,150-ranked Stephen Nugent faces the top visiting player Mohammed Maamoun (695). Doran's ranking of 891 is marginally higher than his opponent's, Amro Ghoneim, but overall the balance of power lies with Egypt. The loss of Clarke was underlined in Alabama last weekend when he qualified for the final in the Mobile professional classic event.

In the possible likelihood of the opening singles being split tomorrow's doubles will prove highly important.

"Three of our players are still in the early stages of their professional careers but I think we have a trump card in John Doran," says Casey.

The tie gets under way at 4 p.m. today with the doubles down for a 2 p.m. start tomorrow while the reverse singles are listed for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Today:Singles - S Nugent v M Maamoun 4 p.m. followed by J Doran v Amro Ghoneim. Tomorrow - Doubles: Doran and Mullins v K and M Maamoun, 2 p.m. Sunday: reverse singles.