THE rejuvenation in the morale of the Irish senior women's basketball squad since the recent arrival of the new coaching team of Gerry Fitzpatrick and Pat McKenna will be tested severely over the weekend in the Four Countries championship in Middlesex.

Ireland begin their campaign tonight against Scotland who are strong enough to seriously threaten the cohesion of the young Irish team. Fitzpatrick and McKenna will be anxious to deliver a stylish victory over the Scots to prepare the ground for Sunday's potentially decisive clash with England.

Ireland have to look back to 1986 for their last victory over the English, who in the past 10 years have been clearly the strongest of the four countries.

As ever, England will possess a very definite height advantage over Ireland. In the rebounding stakes, however, the loss of their Spanish based professional, six foot three inch Andrea Congreaves, through injury, is a major blow to the English. They still have another very experienced and tall rebounder in Chris Castle.

Ireland have no one in that kind of height range, but the athleticism of five foot eleven inch Jillian Hayes and the physical strength of Suzanne Maguire - makes them capable of penetrating close in against less agile big players.

One difficult decision for Fitzpatrick will be how to deploy his two American based players, Maguire and Eimeir Howard, who joined the squad two days ago. A good understanding and sense of morale has been built up among the Irish based players over the past six weeks and it remains to be seen how the newcomers will fit in.

Howard is a recognised point guard, which is the key play making role, and Ireland do not have t9o many options in that position.

It may be too early to expect an Irish victory, but this appears to be the strongest Irish squad for several years. The manner of the performances may be as important as the results achieved.