New season, new openings

It is surely unique that on the same day children returned to school the Ireland rugby squad returned to arms. The first of a record 11 Tests in one season is but three Saturdays away and so an expanded Irish party completed the first of a two-day get-together in Limerick yesterday.

The 22-man squad for the re-arranged Six Nations game away to Scotland will be announced towards the end of next week.

Of the 36 players initially named for this first squad session, Kevin Maggs (ankle strain) and Jonathan Bell (Achilles strain) did not attend, while Brian O'Driscoll (slightly bruised ribs) and Jeremy Staunton (cut lip) took curtailed parts. Maggs would seem the front-runner for the inside centre slot in the absence of the injured Rob Henderson, though Shane Horgan is another prime contender and has a couple more chances to underline his credentials before the squad is announced.

"We want to see as many games as possible, but we can't leave picking the squad until any later than next Thursday as we'll be getting together in Greystones on Sunday week," said Irish manager Brian O'Brien yesterday.

He admitted that while the team which beat Italy and France last season would provide the basis of the side to play Scotland, "it's a whole new season. We can't go on last year's performances, so we have to look at form players".

Hence the likes of Emmet Byrne will be pressurising John Hayes, and Jeremy Davidson will be on Mick Galwey's heels, though it is the Easterbys, fit-again Simon at blindside flanker and Guy at scrumhalf, who will be applying fierce pressure on the incumbents, Eric Miller and Peter Stringer. The back three looks secure, though, with rejuvenated full back Girvan Dempsey seemingly re-establishing himself with his form for Leinster.

"You look down the road and there are 13 games staring you in the face, when you take into account the two Tests in New Zealand next summer," observed O'Brien, his tone reflecting the daunting nature of Ireland's international season ahead.

"Effectively it's two and a half seasons rolled into one."

Although the European Cup final has been brought forward to May 25th, Ireland have been unable to secure an earlier start for their three-match tour to New Zealand. Hence, as things stand, Ireland will play their sole warm-up game (against as yet undecided opposition) on June 8th, with the two Tests against the All Blacks on June 15th and 22nd.

Scotland also came together for a training session in Edinburgh yesterday, though one of their most pressing selection decisions has seemingly already been resolved by Ian McGeechan.

Regarding the vexed outhalf issue, the Scotland coach said: "Gregor (Townsend) is the one I'm looking at for number 10. I want to try and develop things there."