Eddie O'Sullivan's decision on whether to bring four secondrows and five back-rows, or three second-rows and six back-rows, may not have hinged on how Alan Quinlan performed yesterday, but it may well influence it. As it was, the Tipp back-rower replaced Malcolm O'Kelly on three separate occasions during the game and to the naked eye at least, he appeared to do nothing wrong.

Ireland would have nothing to fear by bringing him as a fourthchoice second-row.

Verdict Quinlan

JAMIE HEASLIP v STEPHEN FERRIS
Heading into the game, both players were neck and neck and yesterday's 80 minutes hasn't exactly put that much daylight between them. Heaslip got through some outstanding work at the base of a scrum that was constantly going backwards, while Ferris's tackling was prominent as Ireland defended around the fringes in the firsthalf. The decision is probably going to come down to O'Sullivan's individual taste but if Quinlan gets the nod to cover the second-row, you get the feeling the coach will be more 15 1413 12 11 109 comfortable with bringing a specialist number eight.

Verdict Heaslip BRIAN CARNEY v TOMMY BOWE
Whoever caught the eye on the day was always likely to win this World Cup spot and on yesterday's evidence, Carney will be going to France. While Tommy Bowe did little wrong over the 80 minutes, the Rugby League convert was by far the busier player, popping up in all sorts of unusual positions. He also appears to pack more punch, both in attack and defence.

Verdict Carney
THE CERTAINTIES
ForwardsMarcus Horan, John Hayes, Simon Best, Bryan Young, Rory Best, Jerry Flannery, Frankie Sheahan, Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Malcolm O'Kelly, Simon Easterby, Neil Best, Denis Leamy, David Wallace Backs Peter Stringer, Eoin Reddan, Issac Boss, Ronan O'Gara, Paddy Wallace, Gordon D'Arcy, Brian O'Driscoll, Gavin Duffy, Andrew Trimble, Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan, Girvan Dempsey, Geordan Murphy