HEADING TO MURRAYFIELD for the Six Nations showdown with Scotland? With injured players making a much-needed return, and many wondering how our defensive line will stack up with the Scots – we’ve compiled our pick of the top 3 talking points to get your head in the game ahead of the clash.
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With finances sorted, keep reading for everything you need to know ahead of the game.
1. Big guns back
Ireland are set to welcome some big guns back for the trip to Murrayfield, with Johnny Sexton and Garry Ringrose both on course to come straight back into the starting team after missing the Italy game through injury. Andy Farrell could also have Tadhg Furlong, Robbie Henshaw and Jamison Gibson-Park available, three players who have yet to feature in this Six Nations.
It will be interesting to see how Farrell balances his options with those heavy-hitters returning, but we do know he will need to make at least one change to his starting XV. With Finlay Bealham ruled out of the rest of the championship, the Ireland boss would love to have Furlong fit and firing but if the Leinster tighthead isn’t at 100%, he’ll have faith in Tom O’Toole – who has provided real impact off the bench.
He’s not the only player to have put his hand up, with Ryan Baird also producing some big moments. A starting position may still be just out of his reach but the versatile Leinster forward is a strong option to have in the matchday squad.
All things considered, three games into the championship, Ireland appear in good shape as they look to take another step towards securing the Grand Slam.
2. We’ll meet again
There’s an added layer of intrigue to this clash, with Ireland and Scotland also set to face off in their final Pool B game at the World Cup later this year. If there was any temptation to try hold something back for that October date, what’s on the line in the here and now will surely take precedence.
Ireland are, of course, looking to land a first Slam since 2018, but Scotland have it all to play for too. Gregor Townsend’s side trail Ireland by five points in the table but a win this weekend would see them secure a first triple crown since 1990. They could then look to go one better. With Italy visiting Edinburgh in round five, victory against Ireland would leave Scotland in the mix for a first title since 1999 (when it was still the Five Nations), where Townsend was pulling the strings at outhalf.
Beating Ireland would be a real statement result for a Scotland team that have shown encouraging signs this season, but often fail to deliver consistently. Should Ireland take the spoils, it would push their winning run against Scotland out to eight games – Scotland’s last victory against Ireland coming in the 2017 Six Nations – and would hand the visitors a psychological advantage ahead of that October date in Paris.
3. Ireland’s room to improve
Andy Farrell’s side may be the top-ranked team in the world and on course for a Grand Slam, but there are clearly areas where they can brush up their game.
In Rome, Ireland’s defence struggled to get to grips with their hosts – the visitors missing 20 tackles in the first half alone. The return of Garry Ringrose for the Scotland fixture would be a big boost in this regard as much of the Italian’s joy came down the 13 channel. Ireland simply can’t afford to be as generous against a Scotland team packing plenty of exiting attacking talent.
It was also notable to see Ireland leave a couple of scores behind them again in Rome – James Lowe failing to ground an early opportunity in the corner, Bundee Aki knocking-on as he slid for the line in the second half. Ultimately these missed opportunities didn’t have any bearing on the outcome – Ireland still crossing for five tries in a third-straight bonus-point win – but you can be sure Ireland will work hard on improving their accuracy in the final 5m going forward.
Having been held up over the line four times in the round two win against France, Ireland won’t want to see leaving the opposition 22 empty-handed becoming a theme. So far, it’s yet to bite them on the backside but when the day comes that they find themselves in a tighter arm-wrestle, those missed opportunities might just be a luxury they cannot afford.
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