The Republic of Ireland are to play Scotland for the first time in 13 years as manager Mick McCarthy seeks to rebuild his newlook side.

The teams will meet in a friendly international at Dublin's Lansdowne Road on May 30.

The Football Association of Ireland have also confirmed an April 26 meeting in Dublin with Greece, one of England's opponents in the qualifiers for World Cup 2002.

It is the first-ever clash between the Irish and the Greeks, who finished third behind Norway in Slovenia in their failed bid to qualify for the Euro 2000 finals.

The Republic are a side in transition after the retirements of Manchester United's Denis Irwin, Alan McLoughlin of Portsmouth and striker Tony Cascarino, the former Aston Villa, Chelsea and Celtic forward now with French club AS Nancy.

McCarthy has made seven changes in his 22-man squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic in Dublin on February 23.

Four players from the squad he originally named for the two clashes with Turkey last November have been dropped to add to the trio of retirements.

Blackburn pair Lee Carsley and Jeff Kenna and Middlesbrough's Curtis Fleming are all omitted.

In their place come Gary Kelly and Ian Harte of Leeds and Liverpool's Steve Staunton, back from injuries.

Sunderland's English-born centre-half Paul Butler, who made his Irish debut in a B international against a National League XI in October but was unfit for the two games against Turkey, is also included - as is Leeds midfielder Stephen McPhail.

McCarthy said: "It's a young squad with an average age of 25, but there is still a lot of experience in the panel.

"Stephen McPhail has done very well at Leeds in midfield. He doesn't give the ball away and always sees the final pass.

"Paul Butler definitely has something to contribute. He has looked very impressive at the back for Sunderland."