Ireland have announced, what would largely be regarded as, an makeshift side for their first match on the road to World Cup glory.
The team to face the Scots at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon (KO 2:15) sees three Ulster players start with Trimble and Wallace getting the nod in an experimental backline and Court in the front row where he should expect an easy ride alongside scrummaging giants Cronin and Buckley! (God help him – well at least someone help him!)
The match probably only has any real relevance for Wallace, McFadden, O’Leary and Kearney, plus Boss and Jones should they get on, as they all still have something real to prove, fitness wise or competitively, if they are to be on the plane at the end of the month.
These are always difficult games to call and in fairness they are difficult games to select for. While it may be highly unlikely that Ryan, McCartney or Ronan are going to be travelling, a lot of this game will depend on how they perform against their opposite numbers, particularly the guys in the back row where the Scots have a huge advantage, probably enough of an edge to give Scotland . . .
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