Scotland, looking to achieve a first Triple Crown for 33-years, host Grand Slam-seeking Ireland at Murrayfield in the fourth round of the Six Nations on Sunday.
Scotland v Ireland
Sunday 12 March
15:00 GMT
Murrayfield
To Win (80 mins)
Scotland 2/1 | Draw 24/1 | Ireland 4/11
Handicap
Scotland (+7.5) 77/100 | Ireland (-7.5) 10/11
The fact that both sides are set to clash in Pool B of the World Cup on 7 October has only added to the narrative ahead of this one, placing crucial psychological importance on the performance of both teams.
After dispatching of England and Wales in the opening rounds, Gregor Townsend’s men were finally undone by France in Paris a fortnight ago. Despite the 21-32 scoreline, there were plenty of positives for them to build on in their quest to claim the Triple Crown for the first time since Ian McGeechan’s Grand Slammers did it in 1990.
With cold and wet conditions expected on Sunday, the tactical kicking of Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg will be especially vital for the Scots. In addition, much will depend on how well they fare at the set piece, but considering they’ve completed the second-most lineouts (45) in the tournament, and stolen the most (4), they’ve got a solid footing in this department already.
Ireland welcome back skipper Johnny Sexton after he sat out the third-round defeat of Italy. The presence of the 37-year-old veteran is a big boon for the side, who are always a totally different prospect with him on the park.
As well as Scotland have been playing, particularly at Murrayfield, it’s difficult seeing them overcome this Irish unit.
While they may have missed the least number of tackles in the comp (55) so far, no other side on the planet possesses as devastating a multi-phase attack as Ireland. Scotland will be asked questions on defence they haven’t yet been required to answer.
The home support will absolutely lift Scotland here, but they don’t have the all-round game to challenge the World No 1s over the full eighty. It’ll take Ireland a while to put the hosts away, but they’ll do it in the end.
Ireland on the minus.
