Ireland and Scotland U-19s prepare to battle

Ireland and Scotland resume their strong rivalry next week in Belfast, as their Under-19 sides do battle for the European qualifying tournament for next year's Under-19 World Cup. Denmark, who played in the 1998 event in South Africa, and the Netherlands, who played at the 2000 event in Sri Lanka alongside Ireland, are the other two participants in the four-day event.

"Several of this squad were part of the U/23 side which captured Ireland's first trophy of the season a couple of weeks ago," Brían O'Rourke, the Ireland coach said. "We have practiced together as a squad on many occasions over the winter months and the Leinster-based players in the squad have recently been involved in tournaments in Newcastle and Malvern School near Birmingham in England so the preparation has been good.

"Qualification for the next Under-19 World Cup early next year is the ultimate goal for the Ireland side."

Contrary to the previous youth World Cups, only the team finishing top of the points table of the qualifying group will proceed, and the Ireland captain Greg Thompson insists his side can't underestimate the other three teams this week.

"It's not going to be easy as there is plenty of talent in the other teams so we know we have to play very well," he said. "I would love to make it to Malaysia as captain. I have been to two other World Cups in Asia so I am very keen to make it back there again."

For Scotland, they can take inspiration from their senior side who were losing finalists in Nairobi for the World Cricket League Division One tournament. And their coach Andy Tennant - who is also coaching the senior side following the departure of Peter Drinnen - maintains that discipline and hard work will be the key to success.

"We don't have superstars in the team and it is a strong collection of committed and budding youngsters," he said. "We have to function well as a unit and show team discipline.

"It is the most important tournament for our youth development programme and we have been preparing for it for almost two years now. The commitment is there and the boys are ready to go out there and play, but the new qualification rule (with only one of the teams reaching Malaysia) has made it tougher for everyone."

Richard Holdsworth, European development manager for the ICC, believes the tournament is a stepping stone for the youngsters as well as offering them the chance to realise their dreams of playing in an Under-19 World Cup.

"This is Europe's flagship event at youth level and an opportunity that many of these young men have been waiting on for many years," he said. "The possibility of qualifying for and playing in the Under-19 World Cup is a dream for many, and for some it could be another step towards playing in the full World Cup.

"Europe's top four ICC Associate High Performance countries will be fighting hard for a place in Malaysia in February next year, and hoping they get the chance to take on the big guns of the Test-playing Full Members."

The matches get underway on July 23.