A International France v IrelandThere is an exceptionally developmental look to what must be the most inexperienced Irish A selection ever for Friday's meeting with their relatively seasoned French counterparts in Limoges. With only one other A game during the Six Nations, Eddie O'Sullivan has picked a starting line-up which boasts only 17 caps between them.
Leo Cullen has more Test caps than the starting XV put together and, although he had seemed an obvious choice as captain, the former Leinster lock will start on the bench. Mick O'Driscoll, to be partnered by Matt McCullough, will instead captain the side.
"There was a time when we picked an A team off the back of a national team and picked our best 44 players," said O'Sullivan.
"But I think the general opinion now, and this is an opinion held within the IRFU and one I happen to agree with, is that there's not a lot to be gained from taking eight or 10 seasoned internationals into an A game in France. We're not going to learn any more about them. I think there's more to be gained from putting younger guys in there and giving them the experience."
The selection sees two outside centres, Barry Murphy and Kieran Lewis, in midfield, while John Fogarty is surprisingly chosen ahead of Brian Blaney. Bryan Young, a highly promising loosehead, is picked on the tight side while there is no place for Bob Casey and Kieran Campbell appears to have suddenly and completely fallen off the radar.
Whereas France are using their A games more with one eye on the World Cup, O'Sullivan has in mind the unprecedented end-of-season demands which will be placed on Ireland's frontline players due to their participation in the Churchill Cup in America.
Aside from the nine internationals who have been overlooked, Robert Kearney is injured and so Iain Dowling continues his rise through the ranks as one of nine new caps.
Connacht will take particular encouragement from the inclusion of five of their players in the 22, not to mention former player Gavin Duffy. The side will be coached by Michael Bradley and Allen Clarke, and will be managed by Joey Miles.
IRELAND A: (v France , Limoges on Friday): G Duffy (Harlequins); I Dowling (Munster), B Murphy (Munster), K Lewis (Leinster), C McPhillips (Connacht); J Staunton (Wasps), Tomas O'Leary (Munster); R Hogan (Connacht), J Fogarty (Connacht), B Young (Ulster), M O'Driscoll (Munster, captain), M McCullough (Ulster), N Best (Ulster), S Jennings (Leicester), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: B Blaney (Leinster), R McCormack (Leinster), L Cullen (Leicester), R Wilson (Ulster), C Keane (Connacht), P Wallace (Ulster), J Hearty (Connacht).
