Ireland A v Italy A Donnybrook, 6.0: The injury problems affecting the senior Italy side for tomorrow's Six Nations Championship game at Lansdowne Road have caused considerable hardship for the shadow side, writes John O'Sullivan
They have lost up to half a dozen players and their preparations have been severely disrupted. It is far from ideal when facing an Ireland side that has won all three A internationals to date, and in the case of the Scotland and Wales matches, with a great deal to spare.
Italy in contrast have only managed to run the Scots close, a match they might have won. The Irish coaching team of Matt Williams, Steph Nel and Mark McCall will be expecting that the team maintains a high level of accuracy, commensurate with previous performances.
Ulster left wing Tyrone Howe's call-up to the senior squad guarantees a recall for Munster and Cork Constitution's Anthony Horgan. Bedevilled by injury at various stages this season, Horgan grabbed a brace of tries at club level last weekend and once again looks sharp.
Ulster hooker Paul Shields is unfortunately ruled out through injury and this provides an opportunity for young Gavin Hickie, a cousin of senior international wing, Denis. The vacancies on the bench have been filled by James Blaney and Justin Bishop.
Ireland should not be over extended as they maintain their quest for a grand slam in a fortnight's time in France having won the Triple Crown in the Scotland match. The players are aware that there are places up for grabs on the senior tour to New Zealand this summer that includes two Tests against the All Blacks.
The number of games left to showcase individual claims is getting less. Once again if Ireland's set-piece play is solid and the forwards can establish the requisite platform then the Donnybrook crowd could be treated to a freewheeling display from the backs.
The recent good weather should have helped the a pitch surface that has been ravaged by the amount of matches already played there this season.
IRELAND A: P Wallace (Ulster); G D'Arcy (Leinster), M Mullins (Munster), J Holland (Munster), A Horgan (Munster); P Burke (Harlequins), N Doak (Ulster); R Corrigan (Leinster, capt), G Hickie (Leinster), S Best (Ulster); B Casey (Leinster), L Cullen (Leinster); A Quinlan (Munster), V Costello (Leinster), K Gleeson (Leinster). Replacements: J Blaney (Munster), M Horan (Munster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), A Ward (Ulster), B O'Meara (Leinster), J Staunton (Munster), J Bishop (London Irish).
ITALY A: M Baroni; F Casagrande, S Pace, R Salvan, J Sebastien Francesio; F Mazzariol, L Villagra; A Moreno, C Festuccia, C Nieto; L Mastrodomencio, A Gritti; A Benatti, A Candiago, A Birchall. Replacements: S Savozzi, T Paoletti, E Pavanello, M Zaffiri, F Frati, G Preo, L Martin.
Referee: A Ireland (Scotland).
