Ireland opt to freshen things up

Under-19 World Cup/ Ireland U-19 v Argentina U-19, Sharjah, 5.0: Ireland go into their penultimate round match against Argentina tonight at Sharjah knowing that whatever the outcome, they are guaranteed a quality game in the final round against either Wales or South Africa.

Moreover, the lowest position in which Ireland can finish is eighth, one place higher than their tournament seeding and important for next year's Under-19 championship to be staged in Belfast. The danger is Ireland are in something of a comfort zone among the 5th-8th ranked countries - after scraping home against Samoa in the final pool match to avoid playing their final two matches in the 9th-12th group of countries.

The luxury situation in which Ireland find themselves, however, has allowed coach Charlie McAleese to give first starts to three players, centre Ian Whitten, scrumhalf David Drake and prop Richard Sweeney.

"We always intended freshening things up at this stage in the tournament. The earlier games have not been easy and there is a high fatigue factor among the players. But I have confidence in all 26 players in the squad," said McAleese.

The coach knows his mission to Dubai is not just about winning. Development of players is just as important, if not more so. And that surely provides justification for changes going into the fourth round.

McAleese has also been able to introduce fresh legs in the secondrow where Thomas Anderson, the son of former Ireland lock Willie, returns following a two-match suspension after being cited for dangerous use of the boot in the opening game against England, which Ireland won 17-16.

Matches between Ireland and Argentina at any level have always been close; this latest meeting could continue the pattern.

IRELAND U19: S Carey (Garbally College); S Monahan (Trinity College), K Earls (St Muchin's), I Whitten (Queen's Univ), M Barker (Queen's Univ); B Collins (Castlenock), D Drake (Instonians); C Healy (Belvedere College), G Slattery (St Munchin's), R Sweeney (UCD), T Anderson (Queen's Univ), C McInerney (UCD), T O'Donnell (UL Bohemians), D Pollock (Queen's Univ), K Sheahan (UCD). Replacements: R Murphy (Castlenock), J Gethings (Gonzaga), P Gilchrist (UCD), A Browne (Galwegians), J Graham (Ballynahinch), T Walsh (Castlenock), P O'Donohoe (Belvedere College), N O'Connor (Limavady GS), A Wynne (Blackrock College), I Dineen (CBC Cork), I Keatley (UCD)