THE MEETING today at Stradbrook (12.00) between the Ireland under 21 side and their Scottish counterparts will be the first act in the weekend's rivalry between the countries that also includes contests at university, A and of course the International Championship at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

While the under 21 team will be defending a superb record against the Scots, three wins from the three matches - two of those wins were achieved in Edinburgh - the Ireland A side has lost three in a row against the Scots.

Last season they lost 18-24 in dramatic manner to a last minute try by Tony Stanger. Ireland get the chance at Donnybrook this afternoon (2.30) to arrest that trend.

Ireland's last win over the Scots at A level, although then these matches were designated as "B" games, was in Murrayfield four years ago when they won 29-19.

These A matches are now very much representative of which can be termed the second strings of the championship sides with no restrictions, as in the past, on playing full internationals. Both sides today are certainly liberally endowed with full caps and indeed plenty of experience.

No performance will be watched with more interest than that of John Gallagher, who, after his magnificent career at full back in the All Blacks jersey, wears the green of Ireland for the first time and does so as a centre. His display today could provide at least a pointer to the possibilities of him adding a full Ireland cap to his New Zealand collection.

Ireland include nine full internationals, five in the back line and four up front. The Scots have four, none more distinguished than scrum half Gary Armstrong, a man who has worn the Lions as well as Scotland jersey. Centre Graham Shiel is another who has played with distinction at senior level. In the pack they have in second row Damien Cronin, one of the most experienced forwards in international rugby with 35 caps to his name.

Flanker Peter Walton has been capped six times. He and Cronin were ruled out of contention for the championship side because of insufficient match fitness. The stakes for the pair are high today.

Ireland will field only two of the side that lost last season, second row Davy Tweed and prop Paul Wallace. In contrast to the experience in their side, two, of Ireland's forwards, second row Malcolm O'Kelly and flanker Eric Miller are both under 21 players.

Indeed they had been selected for the under 21 side before being named on the A team. It represents an opportunity as well as challenge for the two youngsters and O'Kelly and Tweed will have the task of containing Cronin and his partner Norval in the line out. If they succeed then it will aid Ireland's cause appreciably.

The Ireland front row is an accomplished unit, the Blackrock College trio of Paul Flavin, Shane Byrne and Paul Wallace, while Miller will have internationals in Victor Costello and Anthony Foley at his side in the back row.

Both Foley and Costello are seeking a return to the senior side. They will need good performances today and will need to keep vigilant eyes on Armstrong.

The Ireland halfback pairing of Alain Rolland and David Humphreys offers an amalgam of skill and experience and Gallagher teams up with New Zealander Sean McCahill in the centre. It will no doubt evoke memories for Gallagher of the times he played behind McCahill's brother Bernie for the All Blacks.

There is telling pace on the Irish wings in Simon Mason, a prolific goal kicker for his club Orrell and Niall Woods. Conor O'Shea will be anxious to produce the form that could put pressure on Jim Staples for the full back berth on the senior side. A win for Ireland at this level is overdue, it will be disappointing it does not come today.

I would prefer if the national selectors had left O'Kelly and Miller in the under 21 side, but even in their absence and that of wing James Topping, forced out by examination commitments, the Ireland team is still one of substance. They proved that very conclusively with a splendid win over England in Northampton last November.

Three of the side that won last season against Scotland are on hand again today. They are outside half Fergal Campion, whose late dropped goal won the match for Ireland, open side flanker Kieron Dawson and blind side flanker Colin McEntee. McEntee played at number eight in the corresponding match last season. The Scots have four survivors from that match. They are centre Cameron Murray, hooker Gordon Bulloch, second row Guy Perrett and flanker Graham Dall.

The Ireland half back partnership of Brian O'Meara and Campion brings together two very accomplished players and they have plenty of speed and talent outside them and a devastating tackler in the centre in Ray McIlreavy.

John Ryan stands in for O'Kelly and he is a very wholehearted and hard working forward, while Damian Evans comes into the back row in the absence of Miller. It is indicative of the strength of the Ireland back line that two senior interprovincials Brian Roche and Brian Carey are unable to find berths in the side.

The Scots believe they have assembled a very useful team. They recently beat Italy and lost to England in the last minute which suggests a very capable team. But they will need to be to record a first win at this level over Ireland.

The Irish Universities scored a fine win over England a few weeks ago in Sale and today at College Park (2.30) get the opportunity to make home advantage pay against the Scots.

So plenty of activity to whet the appetite for the big event tomorrow and hopefully all three Ireland sides in action today will set the right trend.