Ireland A coach Declan Kidney must once again engender a team spirit within 24 hours, assimilating seven new players to the side that defeated England for today's A international against Scotland at Donnybrook (5.0). It is the ultimate in moving the goalposts in terms of team selection.
Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan, John Hayes and Simon Easterby were called into the senior team, Guy Easterby into the replacements, while Mick O'Driscoll and Emmet Farrell make way for the return of Eric Elwood and Paddy Johns respectively, both original choices for the A game against England.
The upshot for Kidney is that he must now harness the diverse talents of the new players - Sheldon Coulter, Mel Deane, Elwood, Tom Tierney, Paul Wallace, Johns and Dion O'Cuinneagain - constructing a new pattern against opponents who offer a unique challenge in terms of their style of play. Expectation must therefore be muted.
The midfield partnership of John Kelly and Mel Deane will be scrutinised carefully as both players would be considered potential tourists during the summer when Ireland embark on a tour of Canada, the US and Argentina.
Indeed, for many of this team that is the ultimate carrot. The Wallace brothers, Paul and David, may have shorter term goals, as would O'Cuinneagain and Eric Miller, but for the rest good performances may carry more long-term rewards. Dominic Crotty enjoyed a very solid performance in Northampton and will be looking to cement his place in the absence of the injured duo Peter McKenna and Geordan Murphy - the latter pair should be available for selection by the time the Italians arrive in Dublin.
Coulter's best position is in the centre, but he is a fine footballer. Tyrone Howe showed glimpses of ability in cameo performances for Ulster as a replacement. Marcus Horan, who went off injured the last day, will be hoping to confirm his potential and edge ever closer to the senior panel. Leo Cullen produced a fine display in the loose against England and will benefit from the presence of Johns alongside him.
The backrow all boast genuine pretensions of playing in the Six Nations Championship and will be aware that high-profile displays this evening will push them ever closer.
Ireland have struggled in recent seasons against Scotland A primarily because of their pace and intensity. It should make for an interesting contrast in styles.
IRELAND A: D Crotty (Garryowen), S Coulter (Belfast Harlequins), J Kelly (Cork Constitution), M Deane (Buccaneers), T Howe (Dungannon); E Elwood (Galwegians), T Tierney (Garryowen); M Horan (Shannon), S Byrne (Blackrock), P Wallace (Saracens); P Johns (Dungannon) capt, L Cullen (Blackrock); E Miller (Terenure), D O'Cuinneagain (Ballymena), D Wallace (Garryowen).
SCOTLAND A: D Lee (Edinburgh); C Joiner (Leicester), D Officer (Harlequins), J Stuart (Glasgow), A Bulloch (Glasgow); C Paterson (Edinburgh), G Beveridge (Glasgow); P Johnstone (Bristol), S Brotherstone (Brive), G McIlwham (Glasgow); J White (Glasgow), A Lucking (Edinburgh); C Mather (Edinburgh), S Holmes (Northampton), D MacKinnon (Northampton).
