AN AGE OLD rivalry will be renewed at Lansdowne Road this afternoon (kick off, 3.0). This pairing has graced the rugby calendar for 121 years, but it will be a case of themes ancient and modern when Ireland open their challenge for the International Championship against Scotland.

For this is the new era in rugby union, the era of pay for play. Rugby moves officially today from being a game to being a business. The latter day lords of the rugby realm have different values, but I hope, nonetheless, that the motivation for victory in the national cause will not be fuelled by financial rewards, but will come from the heart. We may have regrets that the game has not behaved better, but it must not subdue admiration for players nor cloud objectivity in judgment of them.

Money has made many of the headlines in rugby recently and has fashioned the public's perception of the way the game is going. Let us hope that today the quality of the match is what will make the game memorable.

Perhaps it is appropriate that, in this new age Ireland go into the match with a new management team with a pronounced New Zealand influence. There is a feeling of optimism that a new and productive era is opening up for the national team.

This afternoon, the Ireland players will be subjected to the most meaningful examination yet of the strength of the side, and of the benefits of their rigorous training schedule. Two wins in two warm up matches gave the new regime an encouraging start. But as coach Murray Kidd has stressed we will all be much more aware around 4.30 this afternoon of exactly where Ireland stands in the international arena.

It is of course Kidd's first big test as coach, a position he took over less than three months ago. That is a very short span of time to judge his impact. Yet, the stakes today are very high for him, as well as his players. Potential is one thing, delivery on it another. If his side is to have a really good season, Ireland must win this afternoon.

One need not undertake a very stringent level of research to find that, in recent seasons, Ireland has not been able to make home advantage pay anyway near often enough. Indeed, one has to go back to 1988 to find the last occasion the Irish side won the opening match in the International Championship. Lansdowne Road was once deemed intimidating territory for visiting teams, but too often in recent times they have been able to overcome Ireland on home soil.

There have been some memorable performances and thrilling wins attained over the last decade, but in reality no worthwhile challenge mounted for the championship. A win this afternoon might not in itself prove to be the prelude to ultimate glory, but it would be a very good start. Over the last 10 years, Ireland has managed to win in the championship at Lansdowne Road on only four occasions twice against England, once against Wales and once against Scotland. There was one draw, against Scotland two years ago.

The last occasion Ireland won the two homes matches in the championship was 1983. Significantly, they shared the championship that season. The previous year, Ireland won both home games and won the Triple Crown and championship. In 1985, a win and a draw at home, and two away wins, gave Ireland the Triple Crown and championship again. As Murray Kidd has pointed out there is an absolute necessity to make home advantage pay.

A win over Scotland home or away has been too long coming. The 22-18 win at Lansdowne Road in 1988 was the last occasion Ireland beat Scotland. The task for Ireland today is to arrest that trend. Ireland certainly look to have the capacity to do that.

Last season, Scotland surprised most by winning three of their four championship matches. Although rated outsiders, they started the championship by beating Ireland at Murrayfield and the confidence that gave the side was immense. While fortune in the form of a fortuitous try at a critical stage played its part, the Scots responded to their lucky break and by the end had thoroughly out played Ireland.

It is a much changed Scotland side on duty today and they will be without Gavin Hastings, who was an inspirational leader and prolific points scorer for his country. Not the least important element in their win 12 months ago was his contribution of 16 points in the 26-13 win. There is no doubt the Scots are missing him badly. In their two matches this season they have been singularly unimpressive drawing against Western Samoa and losing to Italy a fortnight ago.

Their concession to the defeat by Italy when they conceded four tries and lost 29-17, is three changes in personnel and a positional alteration. One of the changes is made in an effort to rectify a marked place kicking deficiency. Michael Dodds is, therefore, chosen on the left wing and full back Rowan Shepherd, who was so out of touch with the boot, is retained at full back for his other attributes. There has apparently been a great debate in Scotland about the composition of the back line, but Scotland retain Gregor Townsend at out half and leave Craig Chalmers on the bench, with the centre positions being filled by Scott Hastings and Ian Jardine.

There are those who believe that Townsend would bring flair and attacking ability to the centre. But those who matter, the Scotland selectors, decree otherwise. Their faith and beliefs will be put to the test today. But that Scotland back line does not have the look of a major attacking force.

What opportunity they get to indulge their attacking leanings will, of course, be decreed by the amount of possession their forwards win. While the Ireland? back line seems to embrace more pace, flair and penetration and looks a better balanced unit, the means to make those attributes pay must be forthcoming from the men up front. We can look forward to an intriguing battle be tween the packs and one that could prove decisive.

While Scotland have made alterations, it is indicative of the major turnover in personnel the? Ireland team has undergone since the corresponding match last season that only two of the Ireland? backs who played in Murrayfield Jonathan Bell, on the wing then and in the centre now, and Simon Geoghegan will be playing today. The pack too has? undergone major overhaul. Props Peter Clohessy and Nick Popplewell, Paddy Johns and Gabriel Fulcher are the only survivors. Johns, now at number eight, played in the second row.

The pack on duty for Ireland today looks an infinitely stronger unit. While the ruck has long been a notable part of the Scotland game, Ireland look equipped to match and master them. The Ireland pack has used the maul very effectively and do so must again today I would have no anxiety about the strength of the scrum, but the line out could prove crucial.

Scotland have, in Doddie Weir and Stewart Campbell, two very useful operators and Gabriel Fulcher and Neil Francis must counter them. With Johns and Jeremy Davidson in the back row, Ireland have wider options in the line out. They must be used to telling effect. The Scotland back row of Rob Wainwright, Eric Peters and the experienced Ian Smith, who has been recalled, looks useful and is capable of exploiting any dominance those in the tight five can impose. Scotland, however, may well miss the presence of Damien Cronin in the second row.