Don't read too much into showdowns in Europe

LONDON - The build-up to next year's World Cup tournament begins tomorrow with New Zealand, South Africa and world champions Australia all in action in Europe - but it would be a mistake to place too much significance on the results.

This time next year the World Cup, which has been dominated by the three Southern Hemisphere powers since it began in 1987, will be entering its quarter-final phase in Australia.

The next three weeks will witness a series of fascinating battles between the Six Nations and Tri-Nations, starting with tomorrow's clash at Twickenham between England and New Zealand and Ireland's match against Australia in Dublin.

France complete the showdowns when they meet South Africa in Marseille.

Scotland play host to Romania and Wales take on Fiji in Cardiff in other tests.

But despite the pre-match talk and hyperbole, the reality is that both the make-up of the teams and the timing of the games means they will indicate little about how rugby's most prestigious tournament will go next year.

British bookmakers have even given England a 2/1 chance of beating New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

As for the Australian squad, most were still in nappies when the Wallabies were last beaten by Ireland, in 1979. It would be a huge surprise if that 23-year winning run were to end in Dublin tomorrow.

Coach Eddie Jones, hit by the withdrawal of injured fullback Chris Latham, is also experimenting with his team on their European tour, but is likely to field his strongest team against England tomorrow week.

Ireland have handed Lions centre Brian O'Driscoll the captaincy after hooker Keith Wood pulled out of the squad last week because of a neck injury.

If the pre-match talk is to be believed, France's clash with South Africa could be the most entertaining game of all. South Africa coach Rudolf Straueli has vowed that his side will match the flamboyant French on the flair front.

France have brought back Thomas Castaignede at centre, two years after his career was interrupted by an Achilles tendon injury.

Teams:

Ireland v Australia

Ireland: Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Kevin Maggs, Ronan O'Gara, Denis Hickie, Peter Stringer, Anthony Foley, Keith Gleeson, Victor Costello, Malcolm O'Kelly, Gary Longwell, John Hayes, Shane Byrne, Reggie Corrigan. Res: Frank Sheahan, Marcus Horan, Leo Cullen, Alan Quinlan, Guy Easterby, David Humphreys, John Kelly.

Australia: Matt Burke, Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, Daniel Herbert, Scott Staniforth, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (capt), Toutai Kefu, George Smith, Matt Cockbain, David Giffin, Owen Finegan, Patricio Noriega, Adam Feirer, Nick Stiles. Res: Brendan Cannon, Ben Darwin, Justin Harrison, David Croft, Chris Whitaker, Elton Flatley, Matt Giteau.

Wales v Fiji, Cardiff

Wales: Rhys Williams, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Sonny Parker, Gareth Thomas, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Colin Charvis (captain), Martyn Williams, Dafydd Jones, GarethLlewellyn, Robert Sidoli, Ben Evans, Mefin Davies, Iestyn Thomas. Res: Andrew Lewis, Martyn Madden, Steve Williamson, Richard Parks, Ryan Powell, Jamie Robinson.

Fiji: Joseph Narruhn, Norman Ligairi, Seru Rabeni or Epeli Ruivadra, Seremaia Bai, Fero Lasagaviau, Nicky Little, Jacob Rauluni, Alivereti Mocelutu, Alifereti Doviverata, Setareki Tawake, Simon Raiwalui, Apisai Naevo, Bill Cavubati, Greg Smith (capt), Richard Nyholt. Res: Bill Gadolo, Paula Biu, Isaia Rasila, Sisa Koyamaibole, Samisoni Rabaka, Issac Mow, Waisale Serevi.

France v South Africa

France: Nicolas Brusque, Vincent Clerc, Damien Traille, Thomas Castaignede, Cedric Heymans, Francois Gelez, Fabien Galthie (capt), Imanol Harinordoquy, Olivier Magne, Serge Betsen, Fabien Pelous, Olivier Brouzet, Pieter de Villiers, Raphael Ibanez, Jean-Jacques Crenca. Res: Sylvain Marconnet, Jean-Baptiste Rue, Thibault Privat, Sebastien Chabal, Dmitri Yachvili, Gerald Merceron, Xavier Garbajosa.

South Africa: Werner Greeff, Breyton Paulse, Jean de Villiers, Robbie Fleck, Brent Russell, Andre Pretorius, Neil de Kock, Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Corne Krige (capt), Jannes Labuschagne, Bakkies Botha, Willie Meyer, James Dalton, Lawsrence Sephaka. Res: Lukas van Biljon, Wessel Rous, Marco Wentzel, Pedrie Wannenburg, Johannes Conradie, Butch James, Adrian Jacobs.

- AGENCIES