Irish eyes firmly on their Cup rivals

Aside from events at the Sportsground, the Irish management will have an eye and a spy on other more salubrious environs as the World Cup looms large with this weekend's surfeit of internationals.

Stephen Aboud, one of the senior team's background officials, has been despatched to Twickenham, where England host Ireland's opening World Cup opponents the USA, while development officer Tommy Conneely has been sent to Edinburgh for Scotland's encounter against Ireland's opponents next Saturday, Argentina.

Following the highly successful return of long-term absentees Paul Grayson and Will Greenwood, invariably much of the pre-match hype regarding England's match has centred around former captain Lawrence Dallaglio's return from exile, four days before his Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing. However, tonight Woodward will be just as keen to monitor the new look frontrow, centre Phil de Glanville, wing Austin Healey and lock Danny Grewcock. Aside from their midfield combination (which Greenwood's return has all but solved), the emergence of an abrasive frontrow able to front-up against the southern hemisphere heavyweights would strengthen England's hand significantly. The prop seemingly most able to fit the bill is the Gloucester tighthead Phil Vickery, who has missed the last nine Tests with a neck ligament problem.

The visit of the Pumas to Murrayfield affords Scotland the chance to show they can cope without possibly the three most important players in their largely injury-free and settled run to the Five Nations' championship last season.

Out-half Gregor Townsend, centre John Leslie and his brother Martin, an automatic choice at flanker, all miss today's game. Townsend and Martin Leslie are both resting niggling injuries but should be fit for the final warm-up international against Romania at Hampden Park next Saturday, while John Leslie is still in Japan playing club rugby for Sanix.

Wales also begin their World Cup preparations this weekend by hosting Canada at the Millennium Stadium, and seek to extend their winning run to seven.