O'Sullivan backs 'A' series

'A' INTERNATIONAL/Scotland v Ireland: There has been significant debate surrounding the future of the A international series, the support act to the Six Nations Championship proper. Wales, struck by financial considerations and the restructuring of their whole rugby scene, have abandoned sending a team to the event in an effort to save money. England have, for some years fielded a side, but one that they could hardly argue was their shadow international team.

Combined with the current considerations by the IRFU about the purported cost of fielding an A side, with some officials in the IRFU quoting close to €1 million each year, the questions are out there.

One supporter, who put his head above the parapet on Wednesday after the announcement of both the A and senior sides was Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan.

"I've always believed that the A international series is crucial to us," he said. "I still think it is an important link between us and other levels. If you didn't have an A side you might find yourself in the position of bringing a player into an international match who has not played a game in four or five weeks. No matter how good a player is, that is asking a lot."

It was also pointed out that this is a strong Irish A side to face Scotland. When you add Lions back row Eric Miller and centre Rob Henderson, the squad also has a certain gloss. And with emerging talent such as Munster second row Donncha O'Callaghan and Garryowen full back Jeremy Staunton, the sum total is an exciting team.

But not to be outdone, outhalf Duncan Hodge will be one of 10 senior players in the Scotland A side that face Ireland in Bridgehaugh on Saturday, although Doddie Weir misses out through injury. Hodge has only played 20 minutes of rugby since breaking his thumb in December.

The home side will be looking to avenge last year's 60-point defeat. Few think the same will happen again, but a number of Irish players will be looking for recognition. Gordon D'Arcy, at outside centre, is seen as potential cover for Brian O'Driscoll while the entire Irish back row of Miller, Kieron Dawson and Simon Easterby is as good as any in the competition.

IRELAND A: J Staunton (Munster, Garrryowen), J Topping (Ulster, Ballymena), G Darcy (Leinster, Lansdowne), R Henderson (Munster, Young Munster), J Kelly (Munster, Cork Constitution); B Everitt (London Irish), N Doak (capt, Ulster, Belfast Harlequins); J Fitzpatrick (Ulster, Dungannon), P Shields (Ulster, Belfast Harlequins), S Best (Ulster, Belfast Harlequins); D O'Callaghan (Munster, Cork Constitution), M O'Driscoll (Munster, Cork Constitution); S Easterby (Llanelli), K Dawson (London Irish), E Miller (Leinster, Terenure College). Replacements: J Blaney (Munster, Shannon), P Bracken (Connacht, Galwegians), B Casey (London Irish), A McCullen (Leinster, Lansdowne), B O'Meara (Leinster, Cork Constitution), B Cunningham (Ulster, Dungannon), D Quinlan (Leinster, Blackrock College).

SCOTLAND A: S Moffat (Glasgow Rugby); S Webster (Edinburgh Rugby), J McLaren (Bordeaux-Begles), A Henderson (Glasgow Rugby), C Joiner (Edinburgh Rugby); D Hodge (capt, Edinburgh Rugby), G Beveridge (Glasgow Rugby); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby), R Russell (Saracens), C Smith (Edinburgh Rugby); J White (Glasgow Rugby), I Fullarton (Sale Sharks); A Rennick (The Borders), Jon Petrie (Glasgow Rugby), A Wilson (Glasgow Rugby). Replacements: D Hall (Edinburgh Rugby), D Hilton (Glasgow Rugby), N Ross (Glasgow Rugby), A Dall (Edinburgh Rugby), I Fairley (The Borders), C Howarth (Glasgow Rugby), D Lee (Edinburgh Rugby).

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France).