John Clarke becomes the first Irish coach in a decade to take charge of the national hockey team when Ireland face Scotland at Banbridge today. Dutchman Cees Koppelaar took over from Dubliner Ray Cantan in 1987 and held the reins for 10 years until Ireland's last World Cup qualifying tournament in Kuala Lumpur in spring last year.

Clarke, however, has been forced to draft Cork C of I forward Colin Hanna into the squad of 16 as Avoca's Anton Scott has been forced out with a knee injury.

Ireland will take part in three matches over the weekend with only Saturday's game constituting a full international. Also in action over the weekend are an Irish under-21 squad which faces France today, Wales tomorrow and Scotland on Sunday in the Celtic Cup in Glasgow. The under-21s are preparing for the Junior European Championship in Padova in August where France and Wales will also be involved.