Topping gets the nod over Crotty

LEFT WING Dominic Crotty omitted, James Topping recalled, a considerable doubt about the fitness of centre Jonathan Bell, but encouraging medical evidence that flanker David Corkery will be fit after breaking a finger against Wales.

That was the news to emanate from the Ireland selectors yesterday when manager Pat Whelan announced the team to meet England in the International Championship at Lansdowne Road on Saturday for Crotty is the only alteration from the side that defeated Wales. Topping was an original selection against Wales, on the right wing, but had to withdraw because of a heavy bout of flu. Denis Hickie was called into the side and, after a fine performance, retains his place.

Topping played on the left wing against the Barbarians last May, then won his first cap there against Western Samoa. He was switched to the right wing when Crotty made his debut against Australia and retained the place against Italy, France and Wales.

A decision on Bell, who injured his ribs playing for Northampton on Saturday will be made by Thursday at the latest, said Whelan.

Because of the doubt about Bell, seven substitutes have been named, and they include centre Kurt McQuilkin. He will come into the side if Bell is ruled out if Bell plays, McQuilkin will play in the centre on the A side to meet England at Donnybrook on Friday afternoon.

"Bell feels he will be fit to play, but the Northampton director of rugby, Ian McGeechan, is less sure," said Whelan. "We will see how he is during the training in Limerick during the week."

Speaking about Corkery's prospects, Whelan said: "Our information is that he will be fit to play. The X rays were brought from England, given to (Ireland doctor) Mick Molloy, who got them checked out by both a radiologist and an orthopaedic surgeon. The advice is that he will be able to play." If Corkery is ruled out then Anthony Foley will play on the blind side flank.

Commenting on Crotty's omission Whelan said: "It was an extremely difficult decision to change a winning team, and quite frankly that position took up most of our time. We looked at all the options. We were reluctant to change a winning team.

We decided on James Topping, who is a natural winger. He made some defensive lapses against France, but we view them as being rather isolated. Dominic Crotty needs time, he has a lot of talent and he has shown it.

"One of the problems is exactly what his best position is. That is open to question. He has been chosen again on the wing in the A side, as we feel it would be unfair to move him from the wing to any other position at the moment. We would like to see him settle into that position for the time being, and see how he will develop.

Crotty is also an accomplished full back and has played there for Munster, for the Ireland Under 21, team last season and for Ireland A last November in the win over South Africa. His immediate opponent in Cardiff, Ieuan Evans scored two tries, but David, Vendetti scored three tries for, France when opposed by Topping then on the right wing.

Corkery is the only player from Munster the interprovincial champions on the side, and Corkery did not play for Munster in the interprovincial series.

In the replacements panel, Brian O'Meara takes over from Stephen McIvor, who is now on the A side, and Allan Clarke, an original choice against Wales but forced out by a hand injury and replaced by Ross Nesdale in the team, is named instead of Shane Byrne in the substitutes' panel.

The A side back line has undergone radical alteration from the team that lost to Wales. Crotty comes on the right wing for Jan Cunningham a vacancy has been left in the centre because of the doubt about Bell, with McQuilkin ready to step in Alan Reddan filled this position against Wales, Paul Burke is at out half for Niall Malone; and McIvor is chosen at scrum half for O'Meara.

The only change in the pack the return of Ben Cronin at number eight for Foley, who is now a senior team replacement. Conor O'Shea takes over the captaincy from Mick Galwey. "We feel that Mick would benefit from being able to concentrate on his own game without the responsibility of the captaincy," said Whelan. Galwey is under treatment for a back injury but it is expected he will be fit.

There are two new caps on the Under 21 team to meet Wales in Greystones next Friday afternoon. They are left wing Anthony Horgan (Cork Constitution), and Blackrock College flanker Leo Cullen, a member of the Ireland Schools side last season. The team shows five changes in personnel and a positional alteration from the side that lost to Wales.

Gareth Gannon is in the centre for Mick Smyth; Horgan is on the left wing for Andrew Park; Richard Governey is named at out half for Emmet Farrell; Ciaran O'Kane comes in at hooker for Frank Sheahan; and John Gardiner moves from the flank to the second row for John Fitzgerald, with Cullen coming on to the flank.