Stringer may hold on to spot

The Irish team to play the first of this season's scheduled 11 internationals in next Saturday's re-arranged Six Nations game away to Scotland will be unveiled at around lunch-time today in the squad's base at the Glenview Hotel in Wicklow.

Though most of the tough decisions were already made with the make-up of the 22-man squad for the match, the management were probably still mulling over a few selectorial decisions over the weekend.

Amongst the backs, the most obvious of these would appear to be scrumhalf and inside centre. Guy Easterby, with his greater physical presence, has been putting Peter Stringer under increasing pressure for a starting place behind the pack but here Munster's demolition of Cardiff may have been another well-timed effort to the benefit of individuals.

Certainly Stringer's service to his established provincial and international half-back partner Ronan O'Gara was of its customary high quality. This past year or so there's also been a comfort factor in delving deep into the Munster well, all the more so after Mick Galwey was omitted from the squad. Stringer probably deserves to hold on.

In choosing who should replace the injured Rob Henderson, there's a straight choice between Kevin Maggs and Shane Horgan. The latter has been playing well in a prolific Leinster backline but Maggs too has been regularly monitored by the management, backs' coach Eddie O'Sullivan travelling over to England last weekend.

Not only is he in good nick too, but the Bath man may be deemed more experienced and also worth his chance after so long on the fringes.

There seems less likelihood of Horgan being considered for the wing again, given the inclusion of Geordan Murphy in the squad. A telling hint here was assuredly the sight of Denis Hickie switching to left wing for Leinster against Pontypridd in his most recent outing last Wednesday, which would accommodate Murphy in his most regular club position on the right wing.

Having stuck loyally by Girvan Dempsey when he was perhaps lacking some self-confidence, it would hardly make sense for the management to replace him at full-back with Murphy given the Leinster players' rejuvenated form this season.

The two main points of discussion in the pack would appear to be lock and openside flanker. Jeremy Davidson would generally be perceived as the favourite to partner Malcolm O'Kelly though Gary Longwell made a big impact as a replacement in the last championship outing, the win over France, and his form has been at least as good in the Ulster engine room this season.

That could be a close call, whereas Kieron Dawson would seem the likelier choice in the back-row alongside Anthony Foley and the re-instated Simon Easterby. Aside from looking quicker into his stride this season, Dawson may also be more of the groundhog-type openside which the Murrayfield occasion demands. After all, no one gets down and dirty better than the Scots.

The team to play Scotland may read: Dempsey; Murphy, O'Driscoll, Maggs, Hickie; O'Gara, Stringer; Clohessy, Wood, Hayes, Davidson, O'Kelly, S Easterby, Foley, Dawson. Replacements - Byrne, Sheahan, Longwell, Wallace, G Easterby, Humphreys, Horgan.

Scotland will be without winger Kenny Logan and flanker Martin Leslie for Saturday's rearranged game after both players picked up injuries in club games.

Scottish officials said yesterday that Logan damaged a knee playing for Wasps at the weekendwhile Leslie sprained ligaments last week playing for Edinburgh.

Coach Ian McGeechan, having named a provisional squad of 25, said he will not be calling up any replacements and will reveal his team on Thursday.

Saturday's match was postponed from April 7th because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Gavin Henson (19) will attempt to follow in the footsteps of the legendary line of great Welsh fly-halves after being named in Wales's team to face Romania in Cardiff tomorrow.