RUGBY/Preview: Ireland A v France A, Ravenhill (7.30).
One interesting aspect to this clash will be a little role reversal for Gordon D'Arcy and Jeremy Staunton. D'Arcy played at outside centre in the previous two games at this level, but reverts to his more natural full-back position while Staunton has been asked to fill the Leinster player's former slot at outside centre.
National team coach Eddie O'Sullivan is looking to develop a replacement for Brian O'Driscoll should any injury occur to the Ireland captain, and Ireland A team coach Matt Williams has been asked to accommodate the change. D'Arcy and Staunton have played together at under-21 level previously and very successfully. They are players of a similar ilk in that their first inclination is to run with the ball.
They were a potent axis at underage level when full back (D'Arcy) and outhalf (Staunton) respectively and that understanding should be transferred into tonight's game.
Connacht's Ronan McCormack receives a well-deserved opportunity, making his starting debut at this level in the absence of Justin Fitzpatrick.
France, although beaten by England, will be a stern test, especially with the presence of quality players like Niclas Brusque, Pepe Elhorga, the brilliant Christophe Dominici, Frederik Michalak and, up front, Yannick Bru.
Ireland's back five in the pack is probably better than any of their counterparts in the A Six Nations. Jeremy Davidson is fast rediscovering his best form, Donnacha O'Callaghan is confirming his potential while the "old stagers" in the back row, Simon Easterby, Eric Miller and Kieron Dawson, are putting pressure on the first-team incumbents.
Paul Burke receives a chance to get the splinters out after a couple of bench duties with the senior team while Barry Everitt drops to the replacements.
The Ulster rugby crowd are vociferous supporters and should provide an excellent backdrop to the match.
IRELAND A: G D'Arcy (Leinster); J Topping (Ulster), J Staunton (Munster), D Quinlan (Leinster), T Robinson (Connacht); P Burke (Harlequins), N Doak (Ulster); R McCormack (Connacht), P Shields (Ulster), S Best (Ulster), D O'Callaghan (Munster), J Davidson (Ulster), S Easterby (Llanelli), E Miller (Leinster), K Dawson (London Irish). Replacements: J Blaney (Munster), P Bracken (Connacht), M O'Driscoll (Munster), A McCullen (Leinster), B O'Meara (Leinster), B Everitt (London Irish), M Lawlor (Munster).
FRANCE A: Brusque (Biarritz); Elhorga (Agen), Cermeno (Perpignan), Messina (Montferrand), Dominici (Stade Français); Michalak (Stade Toulousain), Ellisalde (Stade Toulousain); Milloud (Bourgoin), Bru (Stade Toulousain), Mas (Perpignan), Nallet (Bourgoin), Thion (Perpignan); Bouilhou (Stade Toulousain), Frier (Grenoble), AN Other. Replacements: Poux (Stade Toulousain), August (Stade Français), Gerard (Stade Toulousain), Martin (Stade Français), Mercier (Gloucester/Ang), Boussès (Biarritz), Forest (Bourgoin).
Referee: G de Santis (Italy).
