Popplewell is fully fit

ANY lingering doubt about the fitness of Ireland loose head prop Nick Popplewell for the International Championship match against England at Twickenham tomorrow was removed yesterday.

However, Jim Staples has withdrawn from the Ireland A side to meet England at Richmond this afternoon because of a cruciate ligament injury and Conor O'Shea takes over at full back. O'Shea's place on the bench will be taken by Brian Walsh (Cork Constitution).

Popplewell, under treatment for a slight hamstring strain, took a full part in the Ireland training session at Lansdowne Road yesterday before the team flew to London. "It went well for me and I had no problem at, all. There is life in the old dog yet," said Popplewell.

Ireland manager Pat Whelan said: "The medical advice we had been given at the weekend was that Nick would be fit and while we are relieved that he has come through so well, that was what we expected.

"We have prepared well for this match and the win over Wales has obviously been a big help and boost to morale. We do not mind at all being rated as long odds outsiders."

Part of Ireland's preparation has been a study of the video of the win over England at Twickenham two years ago. "Yes, we have studied that and will do so again," said Whelan, and that is perhaps a clue as to the tactics Ireland hope to employ.

Commenting on the huge volume of publicity surrounding, the England captain Will Carling this week, Whelan said: "His personal life is his own affair, but were he Ireland's captain I can assure you he would not be giving interviews during the week before an international on his personal life.

"I am also rather surprised that he should have announced this decision to stand down from the captaincy a week before the match. I would have thought that after the match was the appropriate time to do that. But that is Carling's business and England's business."

The last time Ireland won at Twickenham they were captained by scrum half Michael Bradley. The captain this time is also at scrum half, Niall Hogan. "Obviously England are raging favourites but that does not bother us," said Hogan.

"There is a tremendous spirit in our side and the win over Wales has taken a lot of pressure off us. It would have been very hard to go to Twickenham looking for our first championship win. We are all looking forward to the match."