IRISH rugby has had few more productive weekends than the one just gone by. Quite apart from the record win over Wales, there were other encouraging happenings. There was, of course, the victory at A level over Wales. And, in Wicklow on Friday afternoon, the Under 21 team won the Triple Crown.

That achievement did not get the attention it deserved because of the A match and the build up to the senior encounter. There are indications that the international structure that the IRFU has put in place could be about to pay handsome dividends. That system must be maintained, and indeed broadened to an extent.

For many years I firmly believed it was imperative that Ireland play internationals at under 21 level. That, the Foundation scheme and the development side are the ideal progression from the schools scene. Bearing in mind Ireland's limited playing population, every possible incentive must be given. Those initiatives also help stop the fall out of players after leaving school.

The initial steps in establishing an Under 21 side were made by having an internal tour, but getting international opposition at Under 21 level was not easy. The international Under 21 set up started in 1988 when Ireland beat 22-13 Italy at Lansdowne Road. The players on that Ireland side who went on to win full caps were Nicky Barry, Allen Clarke, Paddy Johns, and Paul Hogan. The following season Ireland undertook a tour to Italy. The manager was Noel Murphy, the coach John Moloney and his assistant Ciaran Fitzgerald. Ireland played two matches and won both. Players on that tour who later won caps were Eric Elwood, Rob Saunders, Jack Clarke and Ken O'Connell. That season Ireland also played a New Zealand Under 21 team and drew 13-13.

An Under 21 team went Holland in September 1989, and the following month Ireland met England at that level for the first time. That match was played in Moseley and was won by Ireland 22-16. Three members of that team went on to win full caps: Conor O'Shea, Niall Malone and Gabriel Fulcher. Several others won A and B caps. The sides have met each year since, and Ireland's record is remarkable, played six and won four.

Then in 1992 Ireland played Wales for the first time, and that is now an annual fixture. When Scotland entered the fold in 1993 all four home countries were now involved. But there is one rather odd aspect; England and Wales do not play each other at this level, nor, remarkably, do they meet at A level.

Ireland's record at Under 21 is deeply impressive. Four wins out of six against England, four wins out of four matches against Scotland and two wins and three defeats against Wales, who last season foiled Ireland's Triple Crown ambitions.

It was inevitable that the benefits of the Under 21 side would take time to filter through the system, but now there are concrete signs this is happening, that more and more players are making the transition from the Under 21 level to full caps. What is especially encouraging for the IRFU in relation to their structure is to look at the composition of the current Ireland Under 21 side and relate it to the Ireland schools team that won the Triple Crown in 1993.

No fewer than 10 of the schools Triple Crown team of 1993 played for the Under 21 side this season. They are Jan Cunningham, James Topping, Ray McIlreavy, Denis Hickie, Fergal Campion, Conor McGuinness, Cormac Egan, John Ryan, Kieron Dawson and Eric Miller. In fact, Topping, Miller and another of the Under 21 side this season, Malcolm O'Kelly, were all also honoured at A level.

That kind of progression is of great importance in the continuing development of young players and must be very beneficial in the longer term and encouraging not alone for the union but for the players involved.

Quite apart from the remarkable number of those players who have shared in the Triple Crown wins at schools and Under 21 levels, O'Kelly and Topping could have the distinction of also helping the A side to a Triple Crown this season. They are likely to be chosen for the match against England in Richmond on Friday week. Miller also played for the A side against Scotland.

When one looks at the team that defeated Wales in the championship last Saturday, it is interesting and again extremely encouraging to dwell on the number of the Ireland side who were honoured at Under 21 level and indeed schools level. Not just that, but the team that scored the record 30 points against Wales included no fewer than three of the side which played Under 21 last season: Simon Mason, Jonathan Bell and, Jeremy Davidson. In addition, Niall Woods, David Humphreys, Niall Hogan, Allen Clarke, Paul Wallace, Gabriel Fulcher, David Corkery and Victor Costello are all former Under 21 internationals. Bell, Humphreys, Hogan, Clarke, Wallace, Fulcher, Davidson, Corkery and Costello also played for Ireland at schools level.

Paddy Johns and Terry Kingston, among the replacements, played for Ireland schools, and Johns and Paul Burke (who played for England at schools level) were Under 21 players.

The Ireland A side also included a host of players capped at Under 21 level. Conor O'Shea, James Topping, Eric Elwood, Paul Flavin, Angus Me Keen, Malcolm O'Kelly, Anthony Foley and Liam Toland. Topping, McKeen, Neil Francis, Foley, Toland and Walsh were all capped at schools levels.

That is a clear indication that the system is working well. I would also make the point that the team Ireland fielded last Saturday is the youngest Ireland side to play in the championship that I can remember.

It is well worth looking at the team and replacements with their ages in brackets. Simon Mason (22); Simon Geoghegan (27), Jonathan Bell (22), Maurice Field (32), Niall Woods (24); David Humphreys (24), Niall Hogan (24); Nick Popplewell (31), Allen Carke (28), Paul Wallace (24); Gabriel Fulcher (26), Jeremy Davidson (21), David Corkery (23), Victor Costello (25), Denis McBride (31). Replacements: Kurt McQuilkin (29), Paul Burke (22), Chris Saverimutto (24), Paddy Johns (28), Henry Hurley (30), Terry Kingston (32).

The Irish selectors will not get carried away by the win over Wales, nor should anyone else. It was good and badly needed win that will do a lot for the confidence of the players. When the selectors meet to pick the side to meet England, it is reasonable to anticipate that few if any changes will be made. I expect Simon Mason to retain the full back berth, even though Jim Staples is fit, and I also expect Niall Hogan to retain the captaincy.

They will look at the position in the centre, but on that issue, it should be pointed out that when Wales scored their second try, Maurice Field had been taken out of the game by Welsh scrum half Robert Howley after Field had chipped through and the ball was gathered by the Welsh who counter attacked.

But a few holes were punched through the Irish midfield. The selectors will no doubt also look at the line out, but I sincerely hope they keep faith with the pack that played against Wales. And if they want the best tackling centre in the country in the side, then they need look no further than Ray McIlreavy.