SCOTLAND wrapped up their preparations for today's international against the Barbarians in the community of Dunblane, for whose benefit the game at Murrayfield is being staged.

"I was delighted that so many youngsters from Dunblane turned out to watch us," said Scotland coach Richie Dixon, who has declared Scotland's intention "to treat the match as a full Test".

Certainly there will be no lack of commitment from the Barbarians, who yesterday trained at Bridgehaugh, the home of Stirling Barbarians, under the guidance of captain Gavin Hastings, went through a number of routines to suggest that they will be ready to respond to Scotland's challenge of making the game a testing international.

After the session, Hastings talked about what will be a special, although difficult occasion.

"This will be a very poignant day for us all," said Hastings. "None of us in the Barbarians team needed long to accept the invitation to play at Murrayfield."

If we can play entertaining rugby and provide an exciting game then we will have done our bit for the people of Dunblane."

Barbarians stand off Pat Howard, from Queensland, added: "This is a great opportunity for rugby players to do something for the people of Dunblane. For me it is especially important because of the similar incident in Hobart shortly after the Dunblane tragedy."

The Australian stand off, for whom Hastings was a boyhood hero, is expecting Scotland to be a difficult side to play against.

Scotland are the most exciting side of the home nations," said Howard, who hopes to be back at Murrayfield in November with Australia.

I looked at Murrayfield on Thursday and it was like a bowling green. I'm really excited about playing in what looks a magnificent stadium."

Howard, partnered by Argentinian scrum half Agustin Pochet, will be a key player in a talented Barbarians backline that has creativity in the centre pairing of Yoki Motoki and Andrew McCormick and finishing power on the wing in Tony Underwood.

Newcastle wing Underwood will be one of four English players under scrutiny from England's selectors. The other three are the Leicester front row which is expected to provide the Barbarians with good set piece possession.

This will be the fourth match between Scotland and the Barbarians. The three matches played so far have produced two wins for the Barbarians, the last match in 1991 having resulted in a 16-16 draw.

For the Scots to go one better than their 1991 predecessors will require the lessons learned in New Zealand to be put into practice at Murrayfield.