Ireland in stronger position

Preview: It's a much changed Ireland side from that which suffered a second-half thumping against the England Saxons three weeks ago, with a greater emphasis on youth.

A International: Scotland v Ireland Venue: McDiarmid Park Kick-off: 7.30

National coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who selects the A side - Michael Bradley prepares and oversees the team for matches - has had one or two changes foisted on him while also opting to look at several players in good form at club level.

Shane Horgan and Luke Fitzgerald are required by the senior squad so a reshuffled backline sees Daniel Riordan starting at fullback, Gavin Duffy switching to inside centre and young outhalf Niall O'Connor forming an all-Ulster halfback combination with captain Isaac Boss.

Munster wing Ian Dowling was in superb form before his injury and, rehabilitated, gets a deserved opportunity while Gary Brown's selection on the other side gives the Irish a cutting edge out wide.

Cian Healy's injury and Bryan Young's call-up to act as cover for Tony Buckley ensures a couple of changes at prop, with Darragh Hurley and Declan Fitzpatrick coming in. Niall Ronan and Stephen Ferris are introduced into a very athletic backrow.

This is the final outing for the shadow Irish side during the Six Nations window but with the senior tour to Australia and New Zealand and the Churchill Cup in the summer, it's an important opportunity to press claims.

Former England, current Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson takes charge of the Scots along with Sean Lineen and he's expecting a lively encounter.

"They're a good side. I think in the first game it was important for the Ireland A team to get a hit-out for the likes of (Frankie) Sheahan and (Alan) Quinlan. Some of the older lads needed a game but this is more of a younger side. Looking at the balance I've been really impressed by (Ryan) Caldwell in the secondrow and I think the backrow with Stephen Ferris now fit is pretty exciting. (Isaac) Boss and (Niall) O'Connor at 10 is a quality halfback pairing."

The Scottish team mirrors that of its opponents, an amalgam of youth and experience. Ulster's Simon Danielli is on the right wing with the 6ft 6ins South African-born Roland Reid on the other flank. The team will be captained by Gloucester scrumhalf Rory Lawson who links up with Phil Godman at halfback.

Ireland shouldn't be as physically inferior at scrum and ruck as they were against the Saxons. Secondrow Ryan Caldwell has produced excellent displays for Ulster and will be looking to carry it through to this level.

Both sides are likely to adopt an expansive approach guaranteeing a high-tempo confrontation.

SCOTLANDA: C MacRae (Edinburgh); S Danielli (Ulster), B Cairns (Edinburgh), G Morrison (Glasgow), R Reid (Edinburgh); P Godman (Edinburgh), R Lawson (Gloucester, capt); A Dickinson (Gloucester), D Hall (Glasgow), M Low (Glasgow); M Rennie (Bourgoin), A Kellock (Glasgow); D Callam (Edinburgh), A MacDonald (Edinburgh), J Beattie (Glasgow). Replacements: S Lawson (Sale), C Smith (Edinburgh), C Hamilton (Edinburgh), J Eddie (Glasgow), M McMillan (Wasps), G Ross (Saracens), M Evans (Glasgow).

IRELANDA: D Riordan (Connacht): I Dowling (Munster), K Lewis (Munster), G Duffy (Connacht), G Brown (Leinster); N O'Connor (Ulster), I Boss (Ulster, capt); D Hurley (Munster), F Sheahan (Munster), D Fitzpatrick (Ulster); R Caldwell (Ulster), T Hogan (Leinster); S Keogh (Leinster), N Ronan (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster). Replacements: A Flavin (Connacht), M Ross (Harlequins), D Ryan (Munster), D Pollock (Ulster), C Keane (Leinster), A Dunne (Connacht), K Earls (Munster).

Referee: A Small(England).