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- Date: Saturday March 16, 16:45 GMT
- Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Teams: Ireland vs Scotland
Ireland take on Scotland in Dublin
The upcoming Six Nations showdown between Ireland and Scotland promises a riveting spectacle, with Ireland aiming to rebound from their recent setback and maintain their championship hopes, while Scotland seeks to end their campaign on a high note.
Ireland, despite their stumble in the last match, remain favourites to land the championship, buoyed by the support of their fervent home crowd in Dublin.
In contrast, Scotland’s journey in the championship has been marked by inconsistency. Yet, they possess the potential to defy expectations, particularly in pivotal encounters. Facing Ireland in the final fixture, they are eager to seize the opportunity and deliver a memorable upset.
Anticipation is high as both teams prepare to clash, with Dublin set to witness an electric atmosphere on Super Saturday. With Ireland’s title defence at stake and Scotland’s aspirations for a significant triumph, the stage is set for an exhilarating battle on the rugby field.
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Ireland
In the latest round at Twickenham, Ireland’s dreams of a Grand Slam were shattered in a narrow 23-22 defeat to England, sealed by Marcus Smith’s clutch drop-goal as the final whistle blew.
This loss marked the end of Ireland’s remarkable 11-game winning streak in the Six Nations Championship, matching the longest such run previously held by England from 2015 to 2017.
Despite the setback, Ireland maintains the top spot in the standings with 16 points, holding a four-point lead over second-placed England. A win, draw, or even a losing bonus point in their next match would secure the championship for Ireland for the second consecutive year.
Ireland’s path to this point featured impressive victories, including bonus point wins over Wales (31-7) and Italy (36-0) at home, along with a commanding 38-17 triumph over France in Marseille to kick off their campaign.
Coach Andy Farrell has shown confidence in his squad by sticking with the same starting 15 that faced England, giving them a chance to learn from their mistakes. The lineup includes Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, and James Lowe in the back three, with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw forming the midfield partnership. Jack Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park continue in the half-back positions, while the forward pack is anchored by Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, and captain Peter O’Mahony leading from the front.
Ireland starting lineup: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Calvin Nash, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose
Scotland
Scotland’s journey in the current Six Nations campaign has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by highs and lows that have left fans both hopeful and disappointed. Despite a memorable victory over England, their overall performance suggests they are poised to finish in the lower half of the standings, barring a dramatic turnaround.
Their recent defeat to Italy, despite initially commanding a 12-point lead, exposed vulnerabilities and underscored their inconsistency. A contentious loss to France, marred by a disallowed try in the dying moments, added to their frustrations and highlighted the fine margins in elite rugby.
As they approach the final round, Scotland finds themselves in third place, trailing Ireland by a significant margin. Surpassing the Shamrocks in the standings would necessitate a bonus-point victory and a substantial improvement in points difference, a daunting task by any measure.
In anticipation of their crucial clash against Ireland, Head Coach Gregor Townsend has made strategic adjustments to the lineup. Stafford McDowall steps into the inside centre role, while Ben White returns at fly-half to partner with Finn Russell. The decision to maintain continuity in the forward pack reflects a commitment to stability and cohesion in key areas of the team.
With their sights set on redemption in Dublin, Scotland faces the dual challenge of salvaging their campaign while navigating the potential implications of aiding England’s title aspirations. As they prepare for their final showdown, the Bravehearts will be eager to leave their mark and end their campaign on a positive note.
Scotland starting lineup: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Stafford McDowall, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell (cc), 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge (cc), 6 Andy Christie, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 George Horne, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Kyle Rowe
Prediction
Ireland were only just beaten last weekend, despite England playing extremely well and having the Twickenham crowd behind them. A Scotland win is not impossible, however, it would be a major surprise. Ireland to win, probably by a 10 point margin.
Aviva Stadum, Dublin
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