Rugby League: Ireland require a sense of tactical adventure

(First Edition)

IRELAND have made just one change for the last match of their ill-fated Australian tour, the second Test at Sydney Football Stadium tomorrow.

Gabriel Fulcher, the Cork Constitution second row, comes into the side beaten 33-13 at Ballymore last Sunday, because of Mick Galwey's knee injury.

Otherwise,the Irish coach, Gerry Murphy, has little room for manoeuvre. Niall Woods, the Blackrock College winger who was the one first-Test player selected midweek, has retained his place, despite an uncertain international debut in Brisbane.

The slim hope for the Irish lies in a change of attitude rather than personnel: adding some tactical adventure to their spoiling and combative forward play.

Murphy identified a need to attack an Australian midfield that was far from impressive in Brisbane. 'We have to have the confidence to run at them,' he said.

That Australian midfield was heavily criticised this week, not least by their coach, Bob Dwyer, who accused them of making more mistakes in one match than they are entitled to in an entire season.

Peter Slattery is widely regarded as fortunate to retain his place at scrum-half after an accident-prone performance. Daniel Herbert comes in for his first cap at outside centre, replacing the injured Matthew O'Connor, with the versatile Matt Burke moving to inside centre.

Burke will move again, this time to full-back, if Matt Pini's hamstring strain keeps him out. Richard Tombs is on stand-by, and there is also a minor doubt over Michael Lynagh's knee, twisted in training yesterday in Gosford.

IRELAND (Second Test v Australia, Sydney, tomorrow):: C O'Shea (Landsdowne); S Geoghegan (Bath), J Bell (Ballymena), P Danaher (Garryowen), N Woods (Blackrock); E Elwood (Lansdowne), M Bradley (Cork Constitution, capt); P Clohessy (Young Munster), K Wood (Garryowen), J Fitzgerald (Young Munster), N Francis (Old Belvedere), G Fulcher (Cork), D Corkery (Cork Constitution), B Robinson (Ballymena), P Johns (Dungannon).

Referee: J Dume (France).