Moore again stakes a strong claim

witness an entertaining resumption of this series. The national stadium

was like a giant echo chamber and, although there were good reasons for

the timing, I do not believe that B games are best served by staging

them as warm-ups -- which at Murrayfield in midwinter must be the

misnomer of all time.

Adding to the importance of this fixture (and next season's return) is

the fact that Scotland and Ireland will be in the same world cup

section. Some of the players on view on Saturday will surely find their

way into the respective squads for that showdown.

Using that criterion, the claims of Alex Moore, the Australian-born

Edinburgh Academical winger, deserve examination. Now 26, this rugged

and uncomplicated player has been in and out of favour with selectors

over the years and gained his only other B cap in 1986. Yet, against the

Irish, and on other occasions this season, he has shown a refreshing

awareness that the quickest way to the try line is by the shortest route

and he has real strength to go with his speed. Not that Scotland are

actually desperate for a right wing at the moment, but Moore might be

handy to have around.

The two other Scots who impressed me most were the locks. Melrose's

Doddie Weir still looks as though he should eat more porridge, but his

jumping and catching are a joy to watch

. . . and he gets about.

So does Jeremy Richardson, who is altogether a more robust citizen,

not the man you would choose to challenge for the 50-50 ball. The

arrival of D Sole at Raeburn Place has no doubt sharpened his ambitions.

Apart from this trio, prop George Graham excelled in his cannonball

runs, while flankers Jeremy Macklin and Derek Busby more than paid their

way. They, however, may have a little further to develop before emerging

as serious contenders.

Ireland unwrapped a very classy full back in Ken Murphy, an

outstanding No.8 in Brian Robinson, and if fly half Peter Russell can

always kick goals with such accuracy, he will not be far away.

The result left Scotland coach, Richie Dixon not quite knowing whether

to grin or glower. ''I felt we played brilliantly for the first 10

minutes, then allowed them into the game because we kicked too much and

not nearly well enough.

''In the second half, having fallen behind by six points, the side

showed a lot of character in fighting back. Nobody is satisfied with a

draw, but we learned a lot out there and there will be an even stiffer

test to come against France B.''

David Shiel's contribution was the most difficult to assess in terms

of profit and loss. The Jed-Forest fly half dropped three goals with

almost indifferent ease and occasionally showed he could set his line

flowing. But in between times his tactical kicking, and that of his

scrum half partner, David Bryson, was not up to standard.

Ireland, after all, were fielding three club full backs and high kicks

were manna from heaven.

Shiel it was who lit the first

fuse with a dropped goal after two minutes. Then Richardson collected

at the tail for Bryson to send Moore arrowing to the corner. The second

Shiel drop had the Irish in real trouble.

That was when the Scots lost their way and Russell kicked two penalty

goals. The visitors grew in confidence and winger Pat Murray rounded

Dave Barrett for their first try, then was followed over just before

half-time by skipper Paul Collins.

Russell converted the second, leaving the Scots a bit bemused. They

began to spread the play again, Barrett released Stewart Porter and,

after his 30-metre dash, the alert Busby was on call to complete a fine

try. Shiel kicked a long conversion.

The Scots almost scored again when Moore surged to the line, but the

referee decided the ball had not been grounded.

Penalty goals by Russell and Barrett kept it level before Shiel

completed his hat trick of drops. Russell's final penalty three minutes

from the end provided the scoreline no one really wanted but accurately

represented the even nature of the contest.

Scotland B -- D N Barrett (West of Scotland); A Moore (Edinburgh

Academicals), B Edwards (Boroughmuir), I C Jardine (Stirling County), S

T G Porter (Malone); D K Shiel (Jed-Forest), D Bryson (Gala); G Graham,

K D McKenzie (both Stirling County), G D Wilson (Boroughmuir), J F

Richardson (Edinburgh Academicals), G W Weir (Melrose), A J Macklin

(London Scottish), captain,

D E W Leckie (Edinburgh Academicals),

J D Busby (Glasgow High/Kelvinside).

Ireland B -- K J Murphy (Constitution); J E Staples, J A Hewitt (both

London Irish), P D Clinch (Lansdowne), P V Murray (Shannon); P Russell

(Instonians),

A C Rolland (Blackrock College); B M McKibbin (Instonians), J P

McDonald (Malone), P M Clohessy (Young Munster), B J Rigney

(Greystones), M J Galwey (Shannon), P C Collins (London Irish), captain,

B F Robinson (Ballymena),

P Kenny (Wanderers). Replacement -- P S Johns (Trinity College,

Dublin) for Galwey (51min).

Referee -- R Yeman (Wales).