WITH seven changes in the 16 man squad which finished fifth in the European hockey championship last summer, Ireland are unlikely to upset Spain today in their opening match in the four nations tournament in Terrassa.

The Spaniards, indeed, will want to win convincingly as they tune up for the Olympic Games and they will also welcome the opportunity to wipe out 3-1 defeats by Ireland in the two most recent meetings, in the European championships in Paris and Dublin.

For Ireland - with the World Cup pre qualifying competition in Cagliari as the next major venture - a priority this weekend will be to test fresh material. So Errol Lutton (seven caps), Robbie Ryan (two) and Galahad Goulet (one) can further impress coach Cees Koppelaar - as can debutunts Peter Darley, Devin Donnelly, Jamie McBride and Mark Irwin.