Nostalgia to rule as old and new combine in farewell

RUGBY:Nostalgia will be heavy in the windy air circling around the world's oldest ground tomorrow. In the circumstances, it seems a little odd that the world's newest international rugby team will be providing the opposition but - amid the mix of sadness and relief that the dilapidated old ground is scheduled for an overdue facelift - that won't prevent this from being a poignant occasion and, in some senses, a fitting one.

With every other major rugby nation long since having moved into the 21st century, the ability of the wind factor to utterly destroy games at an exposed Lansdowne Road like no other venue has become even more pronounced. Ireland didn't just beat Australia last week; they also mastered the Lansdowne laws of meteorology. But if the forecast holds true - winds increasing as the afternoon progresses, and rain arriving in the second half - tomorrow is set to be another of those capricious days.

Even so, this will be one of the more revealing litmus tests of Ireland's strength in depth. Like never before, O'Sullivan has shifted his resources around. Only four players will have started all three autumnal Tests, and the game is given added intrigue by the presence of three debutants - the most in one fell swoop at Lansdowne Road since the revivalist win over Scotland in 2000.

As the coach noted, it's still not a team of greenhorns, and he has cleverly surrounded the three debutants and Paddy Wallace, in his first start, with oodles of experience. It may not necessarily be a day for Luke Fitzgerald to showcase his burgeoning talents, though given his extravagant and extraordinary footwork, and his heads-up appreciation of where the space is for himself and his team-mates, you wouldn't bet against it.

In any event, it would be no surprise if the all-action, dynamic, ball-carrying duo of Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip make the more impressive contributions. In a contest with the pick of Samoan and Tongan forwards, along with Simon Raiwalui, they won't shirk the huge collisions.

Indeed, the return of the old heads Frankie Sheahan, Malcolm O'Kelly and Simon Easterby (each of whom is likely to be playing his final Test at Lansdowne Road) could, if anything, enable Ireland to use their lineout even more effectively as a launching pad for driving mauls and the backs.

Wallace's performance will probably be the most intriguing of all. It might seem, at first glance, he has little to gain, and plenty to lose, given the opposition may not generally be granted the respect they deserve. But if he comes through a capricious Lansdowne day against unstructured, unpredictable opponents with a mentally strong, accurate performance, by linking well and kicking his goals and to the corners when needed, he'll have greatly enhanced his reputation.

Unsurprisingly, the tourists have targeted a much-improved start after conceding 31-5 deficits at the midway point of both their Tests to date. If they are still in touch at the break it could be a long day for the home side, and it may be no harm if Ireland emulate their Celtic brethren in opening up a fairly decisive lead while the game is at its most structured.

When their first two games loosened up as the customary raft of replacements upset the rhythm, amid tiring legs, the Islanders' off-the-cuff running abilities, especially in broken play, came to the fore. Outscoring Wales and Scotland by a combined tally of 32-10 and six tries to one in the second halves is evidence of their durability and spirit.

Forwards coach Niall O'Donovan noted yesterday 10 of the team are based in Europe and four in New Zealand and that their set-pieces should be at their best in game three. As defensive coach Graham Steadman noted, their offloading and unpredictability will ask questions of the Irish defence, and their finishing has been every bit as efficient, if not more so, as South Africa's.

The referee will be Christophe Berdos, who will be hoping he enjoys a happier day at the old ground than last time here, when he left the fray, bloodied and bowed, after a clash of heads with Owen Finegan in the Leinster-Gloucester game. A peaceful day out with the Pacific Islanders may be too much to ask. There will be big hits, and the hope will also be the players emerge relatively unscathed.

Continuity coach Brian McLaughlin yesterday vowed Ireland would seek to "play the continuity game, look for the space, and if we have to go in and clean we'll go in as fast as we can to give us quick ball. The scenario doesn't change no matter who you're playing."

During the week at the team's media day, Donncha O'Callaghan was shamelessly publicising Maeve O'Donovan's appearance on You're A Star on RTÉ tomorrow. "Vote for Maeve," exclaimed O'Callaghan's T-shirt on behalf of the Irish forward coach's 16-year-old daughter.

Self-deprecatingly noting our shock that a daughter of his could have such talent, O'Donovan commented: "It's a big day, it's the end of the autumn series and hopefully we can finish that with a win, and then later on to see your 16-year-old appear on television for the first time is going to be exciting as well."

"And don't forget to vote," Steadman chipped in.

Betting (Paddy Power): 1/20 Ireland, 33/1 Draw, 15/2 Pacific Islands.

Handicap odds (= Islands +18 pts): 10/11 Ireland, 33/1 Draw, 10/11 Pacific Islands.

Forecast: Ireland to beat the Islands and the handicap.