James McCarthy included in squad to face Brazil

Giovanni Trapattoni has named Wigan Athletic midfielder, James McCarthy in a 23 man squad for next week's friendly encounter with Brazil at the Emirates Stadium.

McCarthy has greatly impressed since forcing his way into the Latics first team in the third round of the FA Cup, giving a potent attacking threat to a side hovering above the relegation zone.

His performances made him the focus of speculation in recent weeks, when it was rumoured the Scottish born midfielder could be convinced to play for Craig Levein's side, rather than the Republic of Ireland whom he represented at underage level.

But the former Hamilton Academicals man always seemed intent on donning the emerald green Jersey, despite last week revealing the attempted persuasions of a Scottish club mate: "Gary (Caldwell) has had a word in my ear about it but I've made my choice."

And today the young maestro has his reward of a senior call-up for the glamour friendly against the five-time world champions.

With Kevin Kilbane advancing in years, the long-term availability of the left fullback position could be up for grabs, so uncapped defenders Marc Wilson (Portsmouth) and Greg Cunningham (Manchester City) are also included the party, though it is unlikely that either will start a match against such expansive opposition.

Another candidate to replace the centurion is Wolves' Stephen Ward, who is the only Irish player regularly lining out at left-back in the Premier League, but the former Bohemians man is not included this time round.

Also omitted are Hibernian pair Liam Miller and Anthony Stokes, despite impressive performances (and 15 goals from the latter) which had pushed the Edinburgh side within touching distance of second placed Celtic until recent weeks.

Speaking this morning, Trapattoni said: "I look forward to working with my squad again after the disappointment of Paris. The priority now is to build on the progress made during the last campaign and prepare ourselves over the coming months mentally and tactically for an important Euro campaign."

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Manchester City), Keiren Westwood (Coventry City), Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe United).

Defenders: Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Kevin Kilbane (Hull City), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Sean St Ledger (Preston North End), Paul McShane (Hull City), Marc Wilson (Portsmouth), Greg Cunningham (Manchester City).

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Damien Duff (Fulham), Darron Gibson (Manchester United), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Keith Andrews (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Hunt (Hull City), Liam Lawrence (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic).

Forwards: Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Robbie Keane (Celtic), Shane Long (Reading), Leon Best (Newcastle United).

Reality bites in Paris heartbreak

Ireland's dream of a second consecutive Grand Slam came crashing down in the reality of a 34-10 defeat at the home of tournament favourites France.

The French were superior in every aspect and their forward pack seemed to turn up the intensity at will to keep Ireland firmly on the back foot and having to rush and force the issue when in possession.

Cian Healy's yellow card after just 17 minutes for a professional foul on Morgan Parra, opened the gate for les bleus. When the prop returned to the action, his team had conceded 10 points after spending over five minutes on their own line trying to repel a relentless scrum. Inevitably, the pressure told and Nicolas Mas took the ball under the posts when the play was spread.

In the last decade Ireland have fell in Paris numerous times and in each one, it has been a first half flurry of tries that inflicted the damage. A repeat of those nightmares was well and truly on the cards again when Yannick Jauzion went over just four minutes later.

France have no greater strength than their own momentum and through green tinted glasses the pendulum swing cruelly revealed itself after just 15 minutes when Gordon D'Arcy made an incisive break in midfield and chipped over the head of full-back Clement Poitrenaud. The foot race was neck and neck, but the ball bounced left out of D'Arcy's path and onto the post, Vincent Clerc narrowly grounding the ball ahead of Brian O'Driscoll.

From there the cockerels never looked back and, through Imanol Harinordiquy, flooded up-field to force Healy into his sin-binning. At three nil, the bodies in green jerseys were gasping for breath. But the lifeline of a kickable penalty was reversed when Jerry Flannery viciously swung a boot at Alexis Pallisson, the hooker could easily have been shown a card, few would have argued had rouge being the chosen colour.

Ireland were desperate, and at every foray into the French 22, looked worried it could be the last. Three point penalties were dismissed for attempts at the maximum score, but the blue wall would not crack and the home team strutted to their dressing room with a 17-3 half time lead.

An almighty comeback was required for Declan Kidney's side to be within a sniff of victory but the hosts were in no mood for complacency and always looked most likely to score, and it was Poitrenaud who delivered the third try after the behemoth that is Matheiu Bastareaud fended off his opposite number, O'Driscoll, before inviting his full back to storm into the corner.

The only moment that will not force a cringe when drawn to memory came in the 65th minute, after good hands from the back line, the Irish captain off-loaded inside to David Wallace, the veteran flanker with with an easy run in to make it 27-10.

But by that stage les bleus were in cruise control, clinically pouncing on every error and confidently nudging the scoreboard along through the boot of Parra and a final drop goal from his replacement Frederic Michalak.

Another heart-wrenching afternoon in Paris for Ireland, the only consolation being that they now have two weeks to pick confidence up from the floor, but their opponents on that day will be a resurgent England team who should go into that game with two wins from two.

France 33
Tries: Servat, Jauzion, Poitrenaud Cons: Parra 3 Pens: Parra 2 Drop-goals: Parra, Michalak

Ireland 10

Try: Wallace Pen: O'Gara Con: O'Gara

Ferris fit for Paris collission

Stephen Ferris has been passed fit for Ireland's Six nations clash with France on Saturday.

The Ulster talisman will slot in at blindside flanker after he missed out on the opening weekend win over Italy with a knee injury. Debutant in that game, Kevin McLaughlin is the man to make way, the Leinster flanker not even making the match day squad of 22 as his provincial teammate Sean O'Brien is chosen ahead of him.

Donncha O'Callaghan and Andrew Trimble had both been marked doubtful for the Paris showdown and neither is deemed fit enough to make the bench meaning Donncha Ryan and Paddy Wallace are chosen to provide cover.

Things are beginning to heat up before the clash of the pre-tournament favourites and hosting coach Marc Lièvremont has stoked the fire, claiming that the current champions play the "most negative rugby" in the tournament.

Lièvremont has made only two enforced changes from the victory at Murrayfield, with Alexis Palisson drafted in, to "act as a second fullback," and Vincent Clerc Replacing Benjamin Fall on the opposite wing. Lièvremont believes the inclusion of Palisson will be the key to thwarting the O'Gara driven Ireland:

"It will be crucial to tackle the efficient Irish kicking game, and notably that of Ronan O'Gara. He will try to keep the pressure on us and keep us in our own 30 meters"

With both teams finalised, Declan Kidneys squad will fly to Charles De Gaulles airport today hoping to reach lucky number 13 in their unbeaten run of games, which stretches back to November 2008 when New Zealand ran out 22-3 victors at Croke Park.

France team: Clement Poitrenaud, Vincent Clerc, Mathieu Bastareaud, Yannick Jauzion, Alexis Palisson, Francois Trinh-Duc, Morgan Parra, Thomas Domingo, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Lionel Nallet, Pascal Pape, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Sylvain Marconnet, Julien Pierre, Julien Bonnaire, Frederic Michalak, David Marty, Julien Malzieu.

Ireland: Rob Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Ronan O'Gara, Tomas O'Leary , Cian Healy, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Leo Cullen, Paul O'Connell, Stephen Ferris, David Wallace, Jaimie Heaslip.
Replacements: Rory Best, Tom Court, Donncha Ryan, Sean O'Brien, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Paddy Wallace.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

KO: Saturday 16:30

Guy eyes silverware for new Saints

St. Patrick's Athletic winger, Ryan Guy is targeting a push for silverware this season after committing himself to the Saints until the end of the 2011 season.

With the months ticking down on his current deal, insiders at the Inchicore club were fearful that they would lose the all action American. But Guy (24) has been buoyed by the influx of talent to Richmond Park and is hopeful the youthful exuberance will bring trophies to Richmond Park:

"I'm very excited with the new players in the squad" Guy told the League of Ireland website, "they're young and motivated and I see us with a real chance of winning a trophy this year. Winning a trophy is not only a team goal but would be a personal goal for me as a footballer."

St. Pats have offloaded star striker, Mark Quigley to Bohemians and new Manager Pete Mahon has signed up eight new faces since the end of the 2009 season. The Californian is aware that a host of new faces in Dublin 8 will mean he must now occupy a new role both in and outside of the dressing room.

"This year I hope to take on more responsibility, we have a lot of young players coming through and though I'm pretty young myself I have been at the club for a number of seasons now so I feel can offer more leadership on the pitch."

The diminutive attacker also revealed that the guarantee which comes with an extended contracted will help him focus on playing football: "The security of two years will definitely help me with my own performance."

O'Gara first choice for French Showdown

Ronan O'Gara will start in the pivotal position when Ireland take on France in a potential Six Nations decider on Saturday.

The Munster stalwart retains the number 10 jersey ahead of the fit-again Jonathan Sexton, who was a star performer's when he kicked all the points as Ireland defeated South Africa in the autumn.

Sexton had been ruled out of last weekend's victory over Italy due to a dead leg. But this week both men are back in full training and it is the experience of O'Gara which is preferred by Declan Kidney for trip to the cauldron that is the Stade De France.

In the pack, the number six jersey is left vacant, as Stephen Ferris battles against a knee injury, while Leo Cullen has been penciled into the second row as Donncha O'Callaghan is still major doubt. Andrew Trimble is another casualty after a bruising opening encounter with the Azzuri. He will be replaced on the left wing by the dynamic Keith Earls.

Gordon D'Arcy will again line out alongside Brian O'Driscoll ahead of Paddy Wallace who occupied the number 12 shirt for much of last years Grand Slam campaign and also ably deputised at fly half in the closing stages of Saturday's victory.

Kidney has named a provisional nine man group of replacements which he will have to whittle down to seven once the injury news becomes clearer on Thursday.

Meanwhile, France Coach, Marc Lievremont, will name his starting 15 on Wednesday but has already made three enforced changes to his squad. Wings Aurelien Rougerie and Benjamin Fall and prop Luc Ducalcon, who all sustained injuries in the 18-9 win over Scotland, will be replaced in the 23 man party by Alexis Palisson, Julien Malzieu and prop Jean-Baptiste Poux.

The injury to a danger man like Rougerie will not provide the slightest relief for Kidney's team as he will most likely be replaced by Vincent Clerc. The Toulouse wing has tormented Ireland in recent years scoring seven tries along the way, including the score which denied a famous victory in the first game at Croke Park.

Ireland XV to face France

15 - Rob Kearney, 14 - Tommy Bowe, 13 - Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 - Gordon D'Arcy, 11 - Keith Earls, 10 - Ronan O'Gara, 9 - Tomas O'Leary, 1 - Cian Healy, 2 - Jerry Flannery, 3 - John Hayes, 4 - Leo Cullen, 5 - Paul O'Connell, 6 - A.N.Other, 7 - David Wallace, 8 - Jamie Heaslip

Replacements (provisional):
Rory Best, Tom Court, Donnacha Ryan, Sean O'Brien, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble

France Squad to Face Ireland (starting XV to be named tomorrow)

Forwards: T Domingo, S Marconnet, N Mas, J-B Poux, W Servat, D Szarzewski, L Nallet, P Pape, J Pierre, J Bonnaire, T Dusautoir, I Harinordoquy, F Ouedraogo.

Backs: C Poitrenaud, V Clerc, J Malzieu, A Palisson; M Bastareaud, Y Jauzion, D Marty; F Michalak, F Trinh-Duc, M Parra.

Ireland to face Russia in Euro 2012 qualifying

The Republic of Ireland have been drawn against Russia and Slovakia for their upcoming qualifying campaign for Euro 2012.

The Slovakian's qualified for this summers World Cup when they beat Slovenia to top spot in their group and it was Slovenia who then went on to knock out Russia, coached by Guus Hiddink, at the same stage as Ireland. In their group the Russians finished second to Germany after a decisive defeat in Moscow.

Former international Manager John Giles felt it was a good draw as the Eastern European teams are not as highly rated as the traditional powerhouses.

"Russia haven't qualified for the world cup, so they can't be playing as well as other teams."

While former player Ronnie Whelan, speaking on RTE, was bullish about the chances of the boys in green: "there's nothing in there to frighten us, we have to go in with confidence"

The Russian team includes some household names such as Andriy Arshavin, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Chelsea's Yuri Zhirkhov and are sure to guarantee a full house whenever they visit the new Aviva Stadium. But their trump card is Hiddink, however the Dutch trainers' current contract with the Russian federation will expire this summer and speculation continues to link the former PSV Eindhoven coach with top European clubs.

The remainder of the group B is made up of minnows; Andorra and Armenia, but Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should provide a sterner test.

The championships will be hosted by Poland and the Ukraine and Ireland will need to finish as a group winner or as the best runner-up from all nine groups to avoid another dreaded play-off.

After the confusion which arose over UEFA's delayed decision to seed the higher ranked teams in November's World Cup playoff, the governing body has this time around, taken the step to clarify their rules.

The same seeding process will once again come into effect and the playoffs will not be an open draw. With the higher ranked teams also guaranteed the advantage of playing the first leg away from home.

In other Group's: Brian Kerr's Faroe Islands will be pitted against Northern Ireland in group C. The former Ireland coach is sure to pin the words of Lawrie Sanchez to his dressing room wall after he labelled the North Atlantic side "a gimme".

In group G Fabio Capello's England will face sticky opposition in bottom seeds Montenegro. While Bulgaria can only improve on their last campaign and the inclusion of Wales can add the extra spice of a derby feel to games which England will be fully expected to win.

Scotland, now under Craig Levein, look like they will be in for another uphill struggle as they are in the same pot as championship holders, Spain. But they will be hopeful of overturning a Czech Republic side in transition.

The next step for all managers and associations will be to agree a schedule of fixtures and for Ireland it will be beneficial to avoid a winter trip to Moscow or Bratislava.

The draw in full:

Group A: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Germany.

Group B: Andorra, Armenia, FYR Macedonia, Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Russia

Group C: Faroe Islands, Estonia, Slovenia, Northern Ireland, Serbia,

Group D: Luxembourg, Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, France.

Group E: San Marino, Moldova, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Netherlands.

Group F: Malta, Georgia, Latvia, Israel, Greece, Croatia.

Group G: Montenegro, Wales, Bulgaria, Switzerland, England.

Group H: Iceland, Cyprus, Norway, Denmark, Portugal.

Group I: Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Scotland, Czech Republic, Spain.

John Terry stripped of England captaincy

John Terry has been stripped of the England captaincy after a summit meeting with Fabio Capello on Friday evening.

The Chelsea skipper has been under intense media scrutiny for the past week following revelations in the English media about an extra marital affair with a woman who was also an ex-girlfriend of his England (and one-time club) team mate Wayne bridge.

"After much thought I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry," said Capello through a statement after the crucial meeting.

The Italian also indicated that Rio Ferdinand will be installed as the new national team captain, this confirmed by the FA along with the promotion of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to the role of Vice-captain of his country.

Capello made every effort to clarify that his decision had nothing to do with the defenders performance on the pitch:
"As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour, however, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad. What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice and John Terry was notified first."

In a separate statement to the Press Association, Terry vowed to continue his commitment to his national team and indicated no disappointment with the decision to remove from his role.

"I fully respect Fabio Capello's decision, I will continue to give everything for England."

The deposed skipper will need to put the distractions out of his mind as on Sunday he will wear the captains armband of Chelsea, against London and also title rivals, Arsenal.

Another slip from JT when everything is at stake.

Could Manchester United be in a better position as they kick into the Premier League's second lap?

Pedants could point out that; had points not been dropped away to Birmingham, Burnley and Fulham, and at home to Sunderland and Aston Villa, then bookmakers would already be paying out on a fourth consecutive title for Sir Alex Ferguson. But where would be the drama in that?

Ferguson's team are the experts in riding the slipstream of the league leaders for just over half a season and then, at the turn, dropping a gear to catapult past a team which had worked extremely hard to earn themselves the tag of favourites.

But that was in previous seasons, six months ago Chelsea were installed as title favourites, almost by default, when their rivals allowed star players; Cristiano Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso to make the transition from superstar to Galactico. Arsenal were discounted for the usual reasons, that they needed an entirely new spine in their team of a goalkeeper, centre back, midfielder and centre forward. Arsene Wenger did address one of those concerns with the signing of the excellent Tomas Vermaelen.
Since then the pensioners have not been the consistent machine that we grew to loath and admire in the Jose Mourinho years, they have frequently looked shaky, but thanks to major crises at Old Trafford and Anfield they have managed to keep their head above water.

Cue: Captain Fantastic. JT: the lionhearted leader of all England, just when we thought we were clear one of massive sex scandal in sport John Terry's transgressions have dragged us right back into the murky woods of sportspeople with more money than morality.

We are always told by jolly old pundits that; 'he'd play on with a broken leg if he could.' But perhaps his fans would rather he took some time out of the limelight the way his counterpart in golf had.

Terry headed a superb late winner against Burnley on Saturday. But he is currently an incendiary target for opposition fans, and his presence has both hindered Chelsea and aided their hosts (Burnley and Hull) to overcome their deficit in ability and gain parity with a team, supposed to be one of Europe's strongest.

On Sunday the blues will be in the friendlier surrounds of Stamford Bridge, but they will be pitted against another wounded animal. Arsenal, having been beaten by Stoke, held by Aston Villa and humiliated by Manchester United will be targeting this game all week, perhaps longer given the outcome of their previous meeting.

The Gunners will emerge at the bridge with renewed focus and motivation, knowing that anything but a win would virtually rule them out of the title race. United on the other hand will play at home to Portsmouth, knowing that a convincing win against a team on the verge of extinction would leave Carlo Ancelotti needing all three points in the London derby to restore his team to the league's summit.

Terry has again let himself slip when everything is on the line, but unlike the incident in Moscow, nobody will have sympathy for his tears this time round.

At this time of year with the sun slowly returning to the evening sky, Ferguson is not usually of a mind to show mercy and will be intent on turning the screw, and devouring all available points to pull clear as the bell rings to signal the last lap.

Kidney gives McLaughlin starting berth for Six Nations kick off

Leinster back row Kevin McLaughlin will earn his first International cap when he lines out at blindside flanker as Ireland open the defence of their Six Nations crown against Italy on Saturday.

The 25 year old has got the nod from head coach Declan Kidney to replace Stephen Ferris, who suffered a knee injury in his provinces win over Bath. The move reinforces Kidney's policy of calculated risk as a means of continuously rejuvenating a squad which appeared to grow stale in the previous regime.

McLaughlin's provincial team-mate, Cian Healy will join him in the pack to earn only his second cap amongst established scrummagers Jerry Flannery, Donncha O'Callaghan and Paul O'Connell.

Behind the scrum, Ronan O'Gara will make his 94^th international appearance, partnering Tomas O'Leary at half back with Jonathon Sexton ruled out after suffering a dead leg in training.

Paddy Wallace who started Irelands 'A' defeat to England Saxons will have to settle for a place on the bench as Gordon D'Arcy will partner captain, Brian O'Driscoll in the centre.

Also relegated to bench is utility back, Keith Earls, whose omission allow's a recall to the wing for Andrew Trimble, almost two years after his last test start.

Ireland XV to face Italy:

15 - Rob Kearney , 14 - Tommy Bowe, 13 - Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 - Gordon D'Arcy, 11 - Andrew Trimble, 10 - Ronan O'Gara, 9 - Tomas O'Leary, 1 - Cian Healy, 2 - Jerry Flannery, 3 - John Hayes, 4 - Donncha O'Callaghan, 5 - Paul O'Connell, 6 - Kevin McLaughlin, 7 - David Wallace, 8 - Jamie Heaslip

Replacements:
16 - Rory Best, 17 - Tom Court, 18 - Leo Cullen, 19 - Sean O'Brien, 20 - Eoin Reddan, 21 - Paddy Wallace, 22 - Keith Earls

Deja vu for Wenger as United sail to 3-1 Emirates victory

For all the talent Arsene Wenger has nurtured in his arsenal team, for every promising young player with seemingly unflinching comfort in possession, what his side lacked on Sunday were experienced big-game players.

While it was one of Manchester United's (relatively) lesser lights who made the difference on the scoreboard at the Emirates, Nani was in the company of men who had done it all before.

The wingers thrilling exploitation of a lax double marking effort by Samir Nasri and the ever diminishing Gael Clichy, set up Manuel Alumunia's Crucial own goal as the hapless 'keeper palmed the cross backwards before it crept inside the post.

Just five minutes later Nani was on the gallop again, released by Wayne Rooney outside his own penalty area. The Portuguese player we knew two months ago would have chosen the wrong option. But as Arsenal's title charge was fading out with the month of January, he weighted the ball perfectly into the path of the England striker who appeared to be to only person in north London not gasping for breath when he clinically side footed into the corner after a 100 meter sprint to receive the return pass.

The Gunners were just short of imploding from that point on. While there was a chance they would claw a goal back, their northern rivals were consistently the more dangerous side in attack.

Andriy Arshavin is suffering from an acute form of second season syndrome, from February to may last year he had a Midas touch, but in the long stretch of a Premier League season, his inconsistency and frequent bouts of (very un-Arsenal) selfishness have possibly revealed why it took so long for a western European club to tempt him away from St Petersburg.
The Russian could have fired his side into the lead and heaped the pressure on the visitors but either froze on the big occasion or just did not bring his shooting boots.

Cesc Fabregas at one point with the scores level seemed like he would drive his team to victory for the umpteenth time this season, along the way, formally announce that he had taken the mantle of best passing midfielder from Paul Scholes. The Veteran was left sitting on the turf twice by the young Catalunyan but Sir Alex Ferguson took little more time to switch Michael Carrick with Scholes. Fabregas was rarely seen again in attacking positions until United had gone three goals up.

Fittingly it was Carrick, receiving a lay-off from Rooney, who provided the assist for the final dagger. His ball over the top to Park Ji Sung left the Korean in control of a three on one against Clichy whose schoolboy indecision allowed United’s lucky number 13 to advance into the area and slot home.

Patrice Evra, captain for the day ahead of Edwin Van Der Sar, had been accused of insulting Arsenal last season when he said the Champion’s League semi-final was a case of "men against boys."
There was nothing in yesterdays repeat score line to suggest Evra had said anything incorrect.