Under-21s pick from strength

Leo Cullen will lead Ireland in the opening Under-21 international of the season against France in Musgrave Park this day week (7.0), hoping to at least emulate the feat of last season when Ireland won the Triple Crown. Their only defeat then was against the French, a narrow loss.

Cullen, Bryn Cunningam, Peter Smyth, David Quinlan and Marcus Horan survive from last year's squad. The team could have been further strengthened but Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Horgan are required for the Ireland A team on the same day. Batter news is that the hugely promising and talented Cormac Dowling is nearing full fitness after reconstructive knee surgery and may be available within the next month.

Quinlan, a centre, and Blackrock teammate Tom Keating, a fullback, have been asked to play out of position on the right and left wings respectively. Dungannon's John Davis, a specialist wing, is just recovering from injury and is named in the replacements. Coaches Brian McLaughlin and Gerry Murphy, assisted by Kurt McQuilkin, have a great deal of quality at their disposal, particularly up front.

Ireland Under-21: G Murphy (Leicester); D Quinlan (Blackrock), K Hartigan (Garryowen), B O'Driscoll (UCD), T Keating (Blackrock); B Cunningham (Bective Rangers), P Stringer (UCC); M Horan (Shannon), P Smyth (St Mary's), S Best (Newcastle), M O'Driscoll (UCC), R Casey (Blackrock), P Neville (Old Crescent), L Cullen (Blackrock, capt), R Woods (Dublin University). Replacements: J Davis (Dungannon), J Staunton (Garryowen), K Campbell (London Irish), D O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution), J Campbell (Terenure), S Barretto (Terenure), J Fogarty (Cork Constitution).

Scotland have included Lions prop Tom Smith in their 22-man squad for the Five Nations clash against Wales at Murrayfield on February 6th. Smith's injury-hit career seemed to have ruled him out of the opening championship match, but Scotland's team officials are satisfied that he is ready for action.

Scotland (squad v Wales at Murrayfield tomorrow week): Backs - G Armstrong (Newcastle Falcons), D Hodge (Edinburgh Reivers), J Leslie (Glasgow Caledonians), K Logan (Wasps), S Longstaff (Glasgow Caledonians), G Metcalfe (Glasgow Caledonians), C Murray (Edinburgh Reivers), B Redpath (Edinburgh Reivers, capt) A Tait (Edinburgh Reivers) G Townsend (Brive); forwards - S Brotherstone (Edinburgh Reivers), G Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), P Burnell (London Scottish), S Grimes (Glasgow Caledonians), D Hilton (Bath), M Leslie (Edinburgh Reivers), S Murray (Bedford), E Peters (Bath), B Pountney (Northampton), T Smith (Glasgow Caledonians), P Walton (Newcastle Falcons), G Weir (Newcastle Falcons).