Irish pack can provide power base

After spurning the opportunity to join the Ireland A squad last November, Shane Geraghty had a nightmarish start to his senior international career last weekend with a kicking return of only 50 per cent in the England Saxons' 34-5 demolition of Italy.

Nevertheless, the London Irish player retains his place for tomorrow night's A international at Ravenhill, where he comes into direct contact with fellow English Premiership outhalf Ian Humphreys. The Belfast venue will be a familiar setting for the younger brother of David Humphreys.

Geraghty and Humphreys have much in common, having gained these promotions on the back of decent displays against Irish opposition in Europe this season.

But to suggest this is a development game is folly as both sides are well populated by full internationals, most notably the two captains, Malcolm O'Kelly and Mike Catt, who have 150 caps between them and a combined age of 67.

Ireland have named an experienced pack, with the fit-again Leinster loosehead Ronan McCormack the only uncapped player, and three Ulstermen, Stephen Ferris, Roger Wilson and Bryan Young, likely to attract a decent turn-out of spectators.

Connacht's promising young fullback Danny Riordan gets an opportunity after Luke Fitzgerald was again ruled out with a neck problem. Riordan is joined by his provincial team-mate (scrumhalf) Conor O'Loughlin, in a team coached by Michael Bradley, though Eddie O'Sullivan continues to control selection.

From last November's 24-17 defeat to Australia A, Matt McCullough, hookers John Fogarty and Brian Blaney, Gavin Duffy, John Kelly and Mark McHugh are all dropped.

The bench includes Leo Cullen and Shane Jennings, indicating a reward for their decisions to return to Leinster next season after two years with Leicester.

With no available home-grown outhalves playing regular provincial rugby, ignoring English-based number 10s is not an option. Ditto tighthead props, as Wasps' Peter Bracken is also a reserve. Connacht prop Ray Hogan, Wasps outhalf Jeremy Staunton and Northampton centre David Quinlan were not considered because of injury.

The English media focused on the inclusion of Mark Cueto after the Sale winger missed out on senior selection with injury. Also, the progress of the former rugby league flyer Chev Walker will be monitored closely.

Any concern about whether Amhrán na bhFiann would be played at Ravenhill has been averted as it is IRFU policy to play national anthems only at full internationals. That may yet become an issue on August 18th when Italy arrive in Belfast for a World Cup warm-up.

IRELAND A:D Riordan (Connacht); T Bowe (Ulster), B Murphy (Munster), K Lewis (Leinster), R Kearney (Leinster); I Humphreys (Leicester Tigers), C O'Loughlin (Connacht); R McCormack (Leinster), F Sheahan (Munster), B Young (Ulster); T Hogan (Leinster), M O'Kelly (Leinster, capt); S Ferris (Ulster), K Gleeson (Leinster), R Wilson (Ulster). Replacements: B Jackman (Leinster), P Bracken (Wasps), L Cullen (Leicester Tigers), S Jennings (Leicester Tigers), K Campbell (Ulster), J Sexton (Leinster), J Hearty (Connacht).

ENGLAND SAXONS:M Brown (Harlequins); M Cueto (Sale Sharks), C Walker (Bath), M Catt (London Irish, capt), D Strettle (Harlequins); S Geraghty (London Irish), P Richards (Gloucester); T Payne (Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), S Turner (Sale Sharks); D Schofield (Sale Sharks), A Brown (Gloucester); C Jones (Sale Sharks), J Scaysbrook (Bath), J Crane (Leicester). Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), N Wood (Gloucester), B Woods (Newcastle), J Haskell (Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), O Barkley (Bath), N Abendanon (Bath).