Ireland harbour genuine ambition as they begin yet another under-21 international championship at Musgrave Park tonight with a clash against their nemesis, France. Since the inception of rivalries between the two nations at this level two year ago, Ireland has suffered successive defeats.
It was 36-28 at La Roche-sur-Yonne last year. It proved the only blemish in a season in which Ireland annexed another Triple Crown, the highlight of which was undoubtedly their victory over England at Twickenham. It would be churlish to describe that success as a surprise, given the grit, character and determination that the squad demonstrated, but at the start of the campaign no one even looked to the heavens, let alone reached for the stars.
While expectation may have been muted at the beginning of last season, the ripple of excitement that greets the talent at the disposal of coach Brian McLaughlin and his assistant Gerry Murphy is palpable. Despite the absence of Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Horgan because of commitments to the A side and Cormac Dowling and Barry Gibney due to injury, there is an aura of expectation.
Ireland boast, in collective terms, the strongest pack since the days of Malcolm O'Kelly, Eric Miller, Kieron Dawson and Tony McWhirter, a fact illustrated by a glance at the bench. The replacement front row of Terenure props Steve Barretto and John Campbell and Cork Constitution hooker John Fogarty are regular performers in the AIL Division One. Marcus Horan's exploits with Shannon are well documented while tight-head prop Simon Best has played for the Newcastle Falcons in the English League this season. The back five encompass the ideal components of physique and pace ably marshalled by last year's captain Leo Cullen.
Scrum-half Peter Stringer will play for Ireland, it's simply a question of when if he continues to develop at senior level. Bryn Cunningham, one of six survivors from this match last year, is preferred to Jeremy Staunton. The centre partnership bristles with talent while full-back Geordan Murphy has commanded rave reviews in Leicester.
Blackrock duo David Quinlan and Tom Keating have been handed arguably the most difficult assignments, for neither are wingers. In the absence of Jonathan Davis - on the bench after just recovering from injury - and Dowling (great potential) soon to be rehabilitated after a serious injury, the Blackrock boys have stepped into the breach.
At an age group where the blase consider Triple Crowns 10 a penny, the potential for a Grand Slam would be a wonderful beginning to the season.
Ireland: 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).
France: D Skrela (Colomiers); C Heymans (Agen), D Traille (Pau), S Bonetti (Biarritz), S Kubzick (Perigueux); B Boyet (Bourgoin), J Fillol (Toulouse); J Monmaille (Agen), A Gaubert (Montferrand), JB Poux (Narbonne); D Gerard (Begles-Bordeaux) capt, T Privat (Nimes); G Robic (Biarritz), T Lasserre (Tyrosse), S Chabal (Bourgoin).
