Ireland Ditch Dad's Army and Call in Greenhorns

The average age of the Ireland squad has risen high enough in recent seasons to make them candidates for Captain Mainwaring’s platoon, but their coach Eddie O’Sullivan is placing more emphasis on youth to end a run of four consecutive defeats against fellow foundation unions.

Since Ireland defeated England in Dublin last February they have lost to France, Wales, New Zealand and Australia, despite having home advantage in three of the Tests, and O’Sullivan has reacted by jettisoning thirty-something forwards Reggie Corrigan, Shane Byrne and Anthony Foley from the 22 who will be on duty in next weekend’s Six Nations opener against Italy in Dublin.

The inexperienced Rory Best and Jerry Flannery are vying to replace Byrne at hooker while behind the scrum, the centre Andrew Trimble, the wing Tommy Bowe and the uncapped Wasps’ scrum-half Eoin Reddan are in line to make their first Six Nations appearances.

"Some players who were not known last year have made it into the squad, but they have not been picked because they are young," said O’Sullivan. "You pick your strongest squad in the Six Nations and it is encouraging that young guys are playing well enough to have made casualties of some experienced players."

The Lions’ captain Brian O’Driscoll returns to lead Ireland after missing the November internationals through injury. Seven of the Munster pack that played in last Saturday’s Heineken Cup demolition of Sale have been included (Foley is the exception), but only three of the Leinster backs who ran through Bath the following day forced their way in.

England’s head coach Andy Robinson has called for a resolution to the club v country tug-of-war which has disrupted his Six Nations preparations. Unlike the other home nations Robinson’s entire squad are involved in club matches this weekend, leaving England at risk of losing several key men ahead of their opening Six Nations game on Saturday week.

"Unfortunately the players are caught in the middle at the moment," said Robinson, who had a two-day get together with his players this week before they returned to their clubs. "I thought the preparation we did in the autumn was spot on but that has not happened this time."

Bath’s interest in signing the England wing James Simpson-Daniel yesterday ended when the 23-year old agreed a new three-year deal at Gloucester, while the 35-year old former Scotland prop David Hilton is among five players who have had their contracts extended by Bristol.

The former Bath former director of rugby John Connolly, who left the West Country less than a month ago, is expected to be named as Australia’s coach next week. Bath’s forwards coach Michael Foley and the Wales skills coach Scott Johnson are likely to make up a management triumvirate which, like New Zealand’s, will have considerable experience of northern hemisphere rugby as next year’s World Cup looms.

Ireland squad: Backs: Bowe (Ulster), Dtions appearances.

"Some players who were not known last year have made it into the squad, but they have not been picked because they are young," said O’Sullivan. "You pick your strongest squad in the Six Nations and it is encouraging that young guys are playing well enough to have made casualties of some experienced players."

The Lions’ captain Brian O’Driscoll returns to lead Ireland after missing the November internationals through injury. Seven of the Munster pack that played in last Saturday.