Ireland looking to finish on a high

9th-10th Place Play-off/Ireland U-19 v Scotland U-19:It is hardly an auspicious finish for Ireland, who were ranked fifth before this competition began, but a play-off for ninth and 10th position was not totally unexpected. For the second time in this tournament they face Scotland (two tries apiece from Paddy Brophy and Eoin O'Malley helping Ireland to a 31-10 win over Japan and Scotland triumphing 11-7 over Fiji) to secure the meeting.

The win over Japan was only Ireland's second of the competition, though, they will feel today's final match will be a good chance to grab their third. A late O'Malley try saw Ireland win 13-12 at Ravenhill when they met the Scots in the pool stages last week, so the expectation is the game will be tight.

Ireland made several changes for the game against Japan, including the entire front row, in the expectation they would win the game anyway. But this final fling in front of a Saturday crowd will be considerably more difficult, and coach Charlie McAleese has again rung the changes.

"In our last meeting with Scotland we did well to come out of the game with a win and I expect it to be every bit as tough this time out. We have moved the team around over the last two games to give other members of the squad a chance, but this team has the opportunity to end the tournament on a high," said McAleese.

In the backs Adam Craig returns to fullback after missing out on the last two games. O'Malley moves from outhalf, where he played against Japan, to his more familiar role at centre. Scott Deasy takes the vacated number 10 position and Harry McAleese returns at scrumhalf in place of Kris Greene.

In the pack, the entire front row has been changed again, with Paul Karayiannis, Stephen Douglas and Patrick McCabe coming in to replace Ian Leonard, Michael Sherry and Matthew Nelson.

The back row has also been remodelled, Jason Harris-Wright making his first start of the championships at blindside flanker. Kieran Essex comes back into the team at number eight, with captain Paul Ryan moving to openside.

IRELAND: A Craig: A Gaughan, J Smith, E O'Malley, P Brophy; S Deasy, H McAleese; P Karayiannis, S Douglas, P McCabe; D Foley, I Nagle; J Harris-Wright, P Ryan (capt), K Essex. Replacements: S Douglas, I Leonard, M Nelson, B Cawley, P Mallon, K Greene, C Cleary, N Morris, M Kinsella, T Seymour, R Riley.

SCOTLAND: M Allan; L Jones, C Kinlock, S McColl, T Bury; R Jackson, M Heeks; G Strain, A Duncan, J Stafford; N Patrick, J Brown; F McKenzie (capt), S Burton, A Wukouits.