PLAYED two and won two is the record Ireland will take into the opening match of this season's International Championship against

Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week. The new Ireland management team has made a very good start and there is reason to feel encouraged.

However, a study of Irish rugby history will induce caution. We have had more than a few false dawns. Too often through the years expectation has not been matched by accomplishment and Irish rugby has gone from major achievement to major disappointment in one giant backward step.

The visit to the United States has been deemed a considerable success despite the weather and the dreadful conditions in which some of the training took place, and especially in which the international was played and the nightmare journey back. The return took 24 hours and interminable delays with the party eventually travelling from Atlanta to Copenhagen before arrival home last night.

"For all the difficulties the match should prove very useful to us," said Ireland manager Pat Whelan. He was, however, annoyed at a suggestion on Sky television that he and coach Murray Kidd refused to be interviewed after the match because they were displeased with Ireland's performance.

With no dressing-rooms at the ground, it had been made clear that the team intended to travel back to the hotel immediately after the match. The players were saturated and it was bitterly cold. That was why the Irish management did not attend a formal press conference.

The selectors meet tomorrow night to pick the team to meet Scotland with the benefit of some extremely useful information.

I do not anticipate major alterations. There could be two and maybe three. I think the three areas that will provoke discussion are out-half, tight-head prop and the back row with special emphasis on blind-side flank. The selection on the blind side will be influenced by the need for more line-out possession, and that could be the factor that may see Jeremy Davidson restored on the blind side.

He was ruled out of contention for the match in Atlanta because of a severe thigh bruise. Victor Costello did well in many respects especially in attack in the first half. But defence is not as yet a strong point and that and Davidson's ability in the line-out could be the determining factors in this position. But there are options in the back row area.

The selectors could move David Corkery from open to blind side and bring in Denis McBride, but that would do nothing to increase the ball winning in the line-out. I would be surprised to see Costello chosen at number eight ahead of Paddy Johns or to see Johns moved to the second row for Gabriel Fulcher. The most likely option to be exercised is Davidson for Costello.

The out-half berth lies between Eric Elwood and Paul Burke. That should be a keen debating point provided If Elwood's fitness is not in doubt because of the ankle problems he endured in Atlanta. Elwood had served the cause well before he went off last Saturday, but Burke did even better when he came on. He revealed a welcome return to form and his place-kicking showed a 100 per cent return.

His ability to move the three-quarter line more effectively could tell in his favour. But having said that, Kidd's hope to see bow If Elwood would perform in that respect last Saturday was effectively stifled by the ground conditions.

The selectors must decide whether to retain Paul Wallace at tight bead or recall Peter Clohessy, who has a vast edge in experience. Wallace has done well and is improving all the time, but Clohessy, with the doubts about his fitness removed, could prove a prudent selection against the Scots.

THE selectors will also pick the A team to meet Scotland at Donnybrook on Friday week. That will bed an extremely interesting selection and, of course, the composition of the side will be decreed to a large extent by those who are required in the 21 for the championship match.

Most of the 21 players chosen on the A side will not be members of 30-man squad who will be receiving their newly agreed contracts this week. Those will be signed and returned to the IRFU at the squad sessions scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday. The players chosen for the A team will receive a match fee, about £1,500 a match, I believe.

The full back berth on the A side is likely to go to Conor O'Shea. He will not depose Jim Staples on the senior side and unless he is among the replacements for the championship team, he is the logical choice on the A side. Ciaran Clarke represents the alternative. Niall Woods seems set to gain one wing berth and Darragh O'Mahony deserves to get in on the other wing. Tyrone Howe represents another option in this area. His commitments with Oxford University ruled him out of the interprovincial series.

Maurice Field may be one centre and I will not be at all surprised if the selectors decide to have a look at former All Black John Gallagher in this match in the centre. Mark McCall, Brian Walsh and Sean McCahill, if not required on the bench for the senior side as he has been for the last two matches, would be other contenders here.

There is no shortage of out-half talent and I think Alan McGowan has earned the place by his performances for Leinster. David Humphreys and Niall Malone represent the alternatives. The scrum-half position should be decreed by who the selectors choose as understudy to Chris Saverimutto on the senior team. Niall Hogan was on the bench in Atlanta. If he is again the choice, then Alain Rolland will surely be on the A side. Andrew Matchett deserves to get into the 21 and he could be the replacement.

With Henry Hurley likely to be the prop on the bench for the senior team, I would like to see Paul Flavin get the loose-bead berth, but the selectors may opt for the experience of John Fitzgerald or Paul McCarthy. At tight bead, the loser between Wallace and Clohessy for the berth on the senior team will probably be chosen.

Shane Byrne was the replacement last Saturday to Terry Kingston and may again get the bench position at hooker on the championship team. In that case Alan Clarke will probably be booker on the A side. Bill Mulcahy is a worthy candidate as replacement.

There is plenty of talent and experience available for the back five. I sincerely hope that Mick Galwey gets a chance. Then there is David Tweed, Brian Rigney and Steve Jameson. The choice at number six on the senior team will determine if Costello or Davidson is in the A team, unless one. gets chosen and the other is named as a replacement on the senior side. And then there is Anthony Foley. It is unlikely Eddie Halvey will be fit.

An A cap would represent a good reward for Chris Pim after his fine season with Leinster and if Denis McBride is not wanted for the big game as player or replacement he could lead the A side.