Ireland should be too strong

Under-20 Preview/Scotland v Ireland:For the countries which contest this match, the championship could not have offered a greater contrast in fortune.

Scotland arrive at Falkirk winless, and have endured a couple of thumpings along the way, while Ireland have beaten Wales, France and England.

The Scots began their campaign with a 31-5 defeat to England at the Recreation Ground in Bath, a scoreline that flattered the home side a little. But the low point in the season came in their second outing when they were thumped 56-8 by Wales here.

Former Scotland and Lions flanker John Jeffrey was particularly critical of his charges for a performance that lacked any sort quality, even down to a basic ingredient like passion.

There was an improvement last time out against Italy, but the Scots were beaten once again at Falkirk, 27-20, having led 10-3.

While the four home unions are fielding under-20 teams, France and Italy are playing under-21 sides.

Ireland, in contrast, have shown tremendous character and no little ability in edging past the majority of an England team that had won a Grand Slam at under-19 level the previous season, and France, who are the reigning under-21 world champions.

France and England were vanquished at Dubarry Park in Athlone, while Eric Elwood's Ireland had travelled to Wales and beat their hosts in the opening encounter of the tournament. All three victories have been tight affairs that have celebrated the mettle as well as the obvious quality of this group of young players.

Promising number eight Seán O'Brien has succumbed to a hamstring injury that caused him problems earlier in the campaign and forced his withdrawal after 30 high-profile minutes against England. It's a pity, because he's a player of real quality.

Inspirational captain David Pollack moves to number eight with Kevin Sheahan coming in at openside flanker.

Felix Jones has been a revelation at fullback, there is pace and plenty of football in the three-quarter line, direction and control at halfback and an athletic and mobile pack.

The rugby is compelling too, expansive with a willingness to play the ball out of the tackle.

It would have been once inconceivable for Ireland to lose to Scotland at this level, but that unblemished record perished a couple of years ago. Last year in Athlone Ireland scraped home 24-21, but should win with a little bit more to spare and complete the penultimate step towards what could be a Grand Slam occasion in Italy in seven days.

SCOTLAND UNDER-20 (possible): C Goudie; D McCall, A Grove, G Hogg, C Anderson; C Ferguson (capt), M Bringhurst; A Dymock, P McArthur, K Traynor; D Lambert, F McKenzie; R Vernon, G McGilchrist, W Lipp.

IRELAND UNDER-20: F Jones (Seapoint); S Monaghan (Dublin University), A Wynne (Buccaneers), D Cave (Belfast Harlequins), K Earls (Thomond); I Keatley (UCD), P O'Donoghue (UCD); C Healy (Clontarf), R Sweeney (St Mary's College), J Hagan (Greystones); A Browne (Galwegians), C McInerney (UCD); T Anderson (Dungannon), K Sheahan (UCD), D Pollack (QUB, capt). Replacements: G Slattery (Young Munster), R Murphy (Lansdowne), N Keogh (UCC), E Grace (Shannon), D Drake (Ballymena), N O'Connor (Belfast Harlequins), K Tonetti (Blackrock College).