WHEN the Ireland selectors assemble in Dublin tomorrow - to name the team to meet Scotland at Murrayfield next Saturday, I will be surprised if they decide to make significant changes from the team that lost to England.

But the injury to Eric Elwood could still force their hand. If Elwood is fit, however, they could opt for just two changes, and one of those is enforced by the injury to Eric Miller.

The selectors options are limited in some of the positions where they might wish to make changes. I am all for long term development, but no purpose would be served by selecting a team on that basis nor do I expect the selectors to indulge in major revision. They will approach the selection process with a policy of picking a side to try - to win on the day.

After the immense disappointment of the England match, the aim now is to beat the Scots, finish the season in a relatively respectable, mid table position and then build from that.

In any case, the summer tour to New Zealand will give the selectors an ideal opportunity to give young players invaluable experience. Right now there is no evidence, at many positions, that the young talent available is ready to step up to the senior division.

One issue they need to address is the captaincy. Jim Staples fell down badly last Saturday, and his decision taking in the closing stages was appalling. It was as costly as it was prodigal, and twice he set up James Topping in impossible situations. The England players were stunned to find gilt edged opportunities presented to them, but they took full advantage. The game was out of Ireland's reach at 24-6, and but for Staples attempts to play Barbarians rugby, it would have been infinitely more respectable than 46-6. The Irish were not in a position to chase the game or play catch up at that stage.

I hope Staples has been told the utter folly of his approach in the final stages. Apart from anything else, he was by that stage, hindered by a knee injury. I hope, too, that David Corkery and Anthony Foley have learned a lesson about indiscipline and giving away needless penalties such behaviour cost Ireland nine points last Saturday at crucial stages of the match.

Miller, of course, is ruled out after being concussed last week. The options here are to move Paddy Johns to number eight from the second row and bring in Gabriel Fulcher. Or they could keep Foley at number eight, where he deputised for Miller last Saturday. The other alternatives are Victor Costello and Ben Cronin. I will be surprised if the selectors exercise either of those options.

Staples will probably hold on at full back; the alternatives are Conor O'Shea and Dominic Crotty. It is unlikely that the selectors would go for Brian Carey in the circumstances. If Staples were to be dropped, there is the issue of captaincy. We have reached a stage in this professional era where there is scarcely a viable candidate in the Ireland team to lead the side. Niall Hogan would be an option, but I doubt Hogan will be retained Brian O'Meara looks a certainty at scrum half.

It is quite unlikely that the three quarter line will be altered. Topping had a very difficult time against England, and his defensive reading has been anything but good, but not all the problems were of his making. He has been criticised for the two tries Tony Underwood scored on his wing, after Underwood moved over from the left, but that criticism is severe when one bears in mind the circumstances in which those tries were scored.

Earlier in the match, his direct opponent Jon Sleightholme got England's first try, and then got another late in the game. Topping has a lot to learn, but is there a better candidate for the left wing berth? Crotty did his cause little good in the A match last Friday, and neither did Niall Woods. It is unlikely that either will get it.

O'Shea represents a possible alternative to Topping on the wing, but I would have doubts that the selectors will follow that course. O'Shea played there for Ireland A and scored two tries against South Africa. But there may be a reluctance by the selectors to go with that. Unfortunately, the selectors seem to have ruled out Darragh O'Mahony, who is apparently playing very well for Moseley. We can scarcely afford to ignore any player's credentials.

If Elwood is ruled out, then Paul Burke looks the likely man to replace him at outside half. If Elwood is fit, then he will surely be chosen. Irrespective of who is named at outside hall, it will be very surprising if O'Meara is not his partner.