WITH injuries to outside half Eric Elwood, wing James Topping and number eight Eric Miller forcing at least three changes, the Ireland selectors have gone a little further in constructing the team for next Saturday's International Championship match against Scotland at Murrayfield. Nor is the side without the clement of surprise.

In the back line, Jonathan Bell is moved from centre to the left wing for Topping, who might have kept his place if fit, and Kurt McQuilkin is recalled in the centre.

David Humphreys comes in for Elwood at outside half, thus holding off the challenge of Paul Burke. Brian O'Meara, as anticipated, is named at scrum half for Niall Hogan, one alteration which was not enforced.

The only change in the pack is the return to the international arena after two years of number eight Ben Cronin, chosen to replace Miller. Cronin (28) won his only cap against Scotland in Murrayfield two years ago. He had earlier been selected against the US but missed the match through injury.

Alter making his debut against Scotland, Cronin was again chosen to play against France but also missed that match because of injury. He has played this season against South Africa A, in November, and in the A match against France.

Cronin wins preference over Anthony Foley, who replaced Miller early in the match against England.

Ireland manager Pat Whelan said they had opted for Cronin "because he gives greater line out options and better balance to the back row".

The selectors resisted moving Paddy Johns to the number eight position. "The tight five has played well and we did not want to disturb it," said Whelan.

Cronin did not play for Garryowen on Saturday because of an ankle injury but Whelan said he would be fit.

One cannot have equal confidence about the fitness of loose head prop Nick Popplewell, again troubled by a hamstring. He went off before half time in Newcastle's match against Leicester on Saturday. The replacement prop named is Gavin Walsh, who is a tight head. Paul Flavin, who is a loose head and has been on the bench for the championship, is named in the A team to meet Scotland in Myreside on Friday.

Bell made his debut for Ireland on the left wing in Australia in 1994. He played against Scotland in that position two years ago and scored a try. Explaining the decision to move Bell, Whelan said: "The left wing has leaked tries. Jonathan Bell has played in the position in the past and Kurt McQuilkin has played well this season. We feel, among other things, that that line up will strengthen the defence."

McQuilkin won three caps last season and won a fourth when he came in as a replacement for Maurice Field against France.

O'Meara (20) won his first cap when he came on as a replacement for Hogan against England. Stephen McIvor is named in the replacements on the senior team while Hogan is named on the A side.

Humphreys also came on as a replacement against England, when Elwood went off after 26 minutes. Humphreys will win his sixth cap.

That A team shows no fewer than 10 changes from the side which lost to England, many decreed by the selections on the senior team: McQuilkin and Cronin are promoted and Conor O'Shea, Burke, McIvor and Walsh are on the bench for the senior team.

Mick Galwey and Eddie Halvey, who both missed the A match against England because of injury, are named, as is Foley. Killian Keane is moved from centre to outside half, and Brian Carey, fit again, returns in the centre with Mick Lynch. Ciaran Clarke is at full back.

The Ireland under 21 team to meet Scotland on Friday, also in Myreside, shows three changes from the team that beat England. Andrew Park is on the left wing for Anthony Horgan, who was unavailable because of injury. Frank Sheahan returns at hooker for Ciaran O'Kane, and Simon Easterby, unavailable against England, returns at number eight in a realigned back five with David Watt losing out.