RUGBY/Scotland v Ireland: The sun has been shining brightly, the evenings are balmy, the Edinburgh Festival is in full flow and there's much more eye-catching garb than the smattering of replica jerseys. Today's Murrayfield rendezvous sure doesn't feel like a proper Scotland-Ireland Test, and of course it isn't.

Impending World Cup squad announcements hang over this game; with Eddie O'Sullivan set to name his 30 tomorrow, exactly repeating the venue, opponents and decision-making process of four years ago. Ireland's 29-10 win then will remain a footnote in history, as will today's result.

Sadly, that game will primarily be remembered for the broken leg that scuppered Geordan Murphy's World Cup. Less memorable was the trademark try David Wallace scored to seemingly earn him a place in the squad for Australia; he was overlooked the following day.

Hence, too much can be read into these warm-ups, though all the indications are O'Sullivan has yet to finalise one place in the outside backs and another, maybe two at a push, in the backrow.

For Brian Carney and Tommy Bowe then, and for some of the five backrowers named in the 22, this surreal season-opener in front of a 20,000-or-so crowd is a make-or-break game. Alan Quinlan's selection on the bench, also covering the second row, may or may not be significant. But if it does signal the coach's desire to accommodate the Munster warrior, it could be bad news for the three non-selected locks, Mick O'Driscoll, Trevor Hogan and Leo Cullen.

That in turn would leave space for two backrowers outside of the first-choice three excused duty here, namely Simon Easterby, Denis Leamy and Wallace.

Of the others, Neil Best has been in the team or matchday squad most often over the past year, while Keith Gleeson's selection on the bench would not, at first glance, appear to augur well for him. This though, would place huge importance on the form and well-being of Wallace in France.

For reasons of versatility, Stephen Ferris may be a fraction ahead of the more proven and experienced Jamie Heaslip.

For Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell, who looks in the best condition of his life, this is an opportunity to blow off the cobwebs. For the rest, it's possibly their one chance to muscle their way into the first-choice team.

Geordan Murphy would not be human if this fixture didn't bring haunting memories of four years ago. You'd hope he comes through unscathed and with the boost to confidence O'Sullivan is looking for, and critical to that in the coach's eyes will assuredly be making his tackles. The thought of Ireland going to France without such a world-class gamebreaker is almost mind-boggling.

There will be intrigue too in the performance of Paddy Wallace, in need of an assured 80 minutes after injury curtailed his involvement in Argentina.

Acknowledging a World Cup is "a watershed in a player's career" O'Sullivan said he would try to personally contact all those omitted, rather than by email or text: "There were some heartbreaking decisions last time around but we've better players this time to pick from. Any of the 37 could play for Ireland. Unfortunately I can only pick 30. That's my job . . . it's not a pleasant one because you know you'll break hearts but it has to be done."

By picking a near-full-strength side, despite himself having to trim his squad of 39 to 30 by next Tuesday, Frank Hadden is clearly looking for a win. With South Africa their only other warm-up, a flight of wild-geese proportions during the summer and the ongoing row between the SRU and Edinburgh that threatens the latter's very existence next season, they could do with a fillip.

Marcus Horan accompanied the Ireland 22 to Edinburgh last night as a precaution as Simon Best had a slight back spasm.

Making light of the likely lack of atmosphere, O'Sullivan added, "Fellas are so keen to play they'd play with two people there."

Conceivably, the countries could meet in the World Cup quarter-finals. But O'Sullivan said they won't be bearing that in mind, nor have they even analysed the opposition as much as would be the norm. "This is a means to an end," he repeated.

August is no time to be playing Test rugby really, and rustiness will induce errors. On paper, it looks like a close game, but a third successive defeat wouldn't be ideal for Irish preparations. Far better to demonstrate the much-talked-about strength in depth compared to 2003.

Given the ultra-positive vibes coming out of the camp, even with only two frontliners this team looks to have enough ballast up front and cutting edge out back to maintain hegemony over the Scots.

POSSIBLE WORLD CUP SQUAD

Props - Marcus Horan, John Hayes, Simon Best, Bryan Young. Hookers - Rory Best, Jerry Flannery, Frankie Sheahan. Locks - Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan, Malcolm O'Kelly. Backrows - Simon Easterby, David Wallace, Denis Leamy, Neil Best, Stephen Ferris, Alan Quinlan. Scrumhalves - Peter Stringer, Isaac Boss, Eoin Reddan. Outhalves - Ronan O'Gara, Paddy Wallace. Backs - Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Shane Horgan, Denis Hickie, Girvan Dempsey, Geordan Murphy, Gavin Duffy, Andrew Trimble, Brian Carney.