This afternoon, nearly 50,00 people will pack the stands and terraces at Lansdowne Road to see Ireland play Wales in the International Championship. The annual encounter between the two countries began in 1882 and the sides have now

played each other 101 times. In the past, Triple Crowns, Championships and Grand Slams were at stake on several occasions when these two countries met. No such grand rewards will be on offer this afternoon. These are lean times for Ireland and for Wales. Two championship points will be the reward on offer and for both, the desire and design is another step along the difficult road to rehabilitation.

But the efforts of both in the pursuit of victory today will be as great as if the Grand Slam was the prize at stake. That is the nature of the Five Nations series - a series that only a matter of weeks ago, some across the Irish Sea said was a mere relic of days gone by. We Celtic nations were told we cannot compete and are no longer worthy to be put in the same arena as France and England.

Well, Ireland's performance against France a fortnight ago opened some eyes and opened and concentrated some minds. The match between Wales and Scotland the same weekend was also a very worthy affair. Not so long ago, we were told that the other home countries could not compete with Wales and that Welsh rugby would never know a poor day. Wales dominated the scene among the home countries and completed the Grand Slam three times between 1971 and 1978. They also won the Triple Crown six times between 1969 and 1979 and won four Championships between 1975 and 1979.

Between 1964 and 1973, England failed to win a match against Wales, losing eight times and drawing twice. In fact, England managed just one win over Wales between 1964 and 1979. Not a word was said then about England not being able to compete. Those who are currently forecasting the imminent demise of the Five Nations series show a scant regard for the history of the Championship, to which Italy will be a welcome addition.

There is, in fact, an extra and very special incentive for Ireland this afternoon. Ireland will be seeking a fifth consecutive win over Wales. If that is attained, it will be the first time that the Irish have managed five wins in a row against the Welsh. The current winning sequence started in Cardiff in 1995, when Ireland won 16-12. Just a few months later, Ireland defeated Wales 24-23 in the World Cup in Ellis Park. In 1996, Ireland won 30-17 at Lansdowne Road and last season, 26-25 in Cardiff. Two Irishmen played in all four wins, Nick Popplewell and Paddy Johns. Johns is in the team again this afternoon.

The match this afternoon is the centrepiece of a great weekend of rugby. Yesterday, the Ireland A, Under-21 and Universities sides played Wales. Then, tomorrow, there are two mouthwatering prospects, the finals of the Leinster and Munster Schools' Senior Cups.

A crowd of around 20,000 is not an unreasonable expectation for the meeting of the holders Terenure College and Clongowes Wood College at Lansdowne Road. Musgrave Park in Cork is the scene for the meeting of those great Cork rivals Presentation Brothers College and Christian Brothers College. Rivalry comes no keener on the schools scene than between these two.

I have been fortunate enough to have seen quite a few matches in the Leinster series this season and it has been a cup campaign in the very best traditions of this magnificent competition. There is no doubt that Clongowes have travelled much the harder road to the final, dismissing Blackrock and St Mary's en route and those are very worthy credentials to carry into a decider. In winning those matches, Clongowes put on superb displays. Terenure are the defending champions and won the title last season by beating Clongowes in the final. Terenure defeated St Andrew's, King's Hospital and then got a very thorough examination before overcoming a very good, spirited and resolute Roscrea team in the semifinal, a match in which the holders prevailed when a side of lesser fortitude might not.

Through the years, Clongowes and Terenure have fought out some great matches in the cup, and this latest episode could provide yet another memorable encounter. Clongowes first won the cup in 1926 and did not capture the trophy again until 1978 when, under the inspirational leadership of Greg Dilger and the coaching of Father Michael Shiel, they beat Terenure in the final. A decade later, Clongowes won the trophy for the third time, beating St Michael's in the decider and won it again in 1991, again defeating St Michael's in the final. Over the last 20 years, Clongowes have reached the semi-final on a truly remarkable 16 occasions, and the final nine times in that period. Today will be their 10th final appearance in 20 years.

Tomorrow, Terenure will be contesting the final for the ninth time in 20 years, a superb record to set beside their opponents. They have won six of the eight deciders in which they have played in that period, including the last three, last season against Clongowes, in 1993 against Clongowes and in 1992 against Belvedere. They have won the cup eight times in all, the first in 1952. The scene is set for a battle royal tomorrow.

The Munster final in Cork is another contest of tremendous appeal. CBC will be defending the title and seeking their 24th win against the school that has won the cup on 25 occasions, including five times since 1991.

The rivalry between these two schools goes back over a century to the time when they first met in the Cork Schools' Senior Cup. Both schools can claim a host of former internationals and some of those players have been among the greats who have worn the green jersey. One thinks of such as Tom Kiernan, Barry McGann, Jerry Walsh, Michael Kiernan and Michael Bradley, all former Pres boys. Bradley is now coaching the side with Pat Attridge. CBC gave such stalwarts to the game as Noel Murphy, Donal Lenihan, Mick Lane and Jim McCarthy.

That is the kind of tradition and contribution to the game in this country that these schools have given. No doubt the production line will continue. PBC had two very tough matches on their way to the final as they saw off Crescent Comprehensive and St Munchin's and CBC beat Rockwell and Ardscoil Ris.

Thousands will flock to Musgrave Park this afternoon and one would like to have the power of bilocation to be able to see both finals. Schools' Cup rugby has been with us for over 100 years and is, as it always has been, fundamental to the game in this country. It stands second to the internationals in drawing power and its appeal has never diminished through the years. May the day never come when it will be otherwise.