Ireland will hope to retain their Six Nations title against Scotland on Super Saturday after dreams of a historic Grand Slam were cruelly dashed.
Andy Farrell’s previously dominant Green Machine went to Twickenham in the fourth round just two wins away from becoming the first team in the Six Nations era to ever win consecutive Grand Slams, but were well below their usual sky-high standards against a improved England team to lose a pulsating thriller by one point thanks to Marcus Smith’s dramatic drop goal.
As well as keeping their double Grand Slam bid firmly on course, beating England would also have safely clinched another title for Ireland with a match to spare, but instead they now have work to do on the final day to make sure to ensure they don’t throw everything away to follow their latest heartbreak in the World Cup quarter-final in the autumn.
Still huge favorites to retain their trophy, Ireland, aided by a huge +80 point difference, need only win or even draw against Scotland to win the title again, while two losing bonus points also put them out of reach the nearest challengers would bring England. , who travel later in the evening to play France in Lyon.
One bonus point for defeat would also be enough for Ireland to lift the trophy again, unless England could beat France in spectacular fashion with a bonus point to reverse that huge points deficit.
Scotland might have felt they should have played another Grand Slam of their own prior to last weekend, with their only defeat coming in highly controversial circumstances against France, having managed to survive an epic Wales battle in the second half and also England had been defeated in the second half. Calcutta Cup for the fourth time in a row.
However, as France almost did a fortnight earlier, they then came unstuck against Italy in a huge upset in Rome, with the Azzurri holding on in a thrilling finish to record their first home win in the Six Nations in some eleven years.
That loss realistically boosted Scotland’s chances of a first title of the Six Nations era, with Gregor Townsend’s side absolutely needing to beat Ireland by a bonus point – while denying their opponents bonus points in the process – and hoping France would then beat England in Lyon without getting a bonus point and creating their own huge points swing.
It put the handbrake on the optimism that had been building, with Scotland appearing to have turned a corner after a second successive disappointing exit in the World Cup pool stages as Ireland were once again brushed aside. However, if they beat Ireland this weekend they could still claim a first Triple Crown since 1990.
Date, kick-off time and location between Ireland and Scotland
Ireland vs Scotland is the second of three matches scheduled for Six Nations Super Saturday and will take place on March 16, 2024, with kick-off scheduled for 4:45 PM GMT.
The match will be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
How to watch Ireland vs Scotland
TV channel: In the UK, the match will be broadcast live and free on ITV1, with coverage from 3.55pm.
Live stream: Fans can also watch the rugby action live online for free via the ITVX website and the ITVX app.
Live blog: Follow live minute-by-minute updates of the match with Standard Sport’s ongoing blog.
Team news between Ireland and Scotland
Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby confirmed on Tuesday that both Calvin Nash and Ciaran Frawley were on track to be involved against Scotland.
Munster wing Nash suffered a blow to the head during the build-up to England’s early first try at Twickenham after being sat down by Tommy Freeman, with a subsequent head injury assessment (HIA) failing.
His replacement, Frawley, then also failed a second-half HIA, with Ireland only having scrum-half Conor Murray as their other bench in a 6-2 split, while starting number 9 Jamison Gibson-Park finished the match on the wing looked.
Ireland have lost lock James Ryan to a bizarre biceps injury suffered in training last week, with Iain Henderson taking his place in the squad against England.
Full-back Hugo Keenan returned from a knee problem at Twickenham, but center Garry Ringrose did not play despite returning to training after a shoulder problem, and prop Oli Jager (knee) also missed as Finlay Bealham returned to the bench.
Ben White is certain to return for Scotland after being rested against Italy as George Horne was given a rare start at scrum-half, supported by Ali Price.
However, center Sione Tuipulotu is out with a knee injury. Glasgow back-rower Ally Miller has earned his first Scotland call-up in place of Hamish Watson, with young duo Alex Samuel and Max Williamson also in training and Jamie Bhatti and Glen Young released along with Watson.
Line-ups Ireland vs Scotland
Both Andy Farrell and Gregor Townsend will announce their respective teams on Thursday. Then come back to see the full lineups.
History and results between Ireland and Scotland (h2h).
Ireland have absolutely dominated this fixture in recent times, winning nine games in a row against Scotland and thirteen of the last fourteen in total.
They won comfortably 36-14 at the Stade de France in October to secure their World Cup progress and eliminate the Scots, who also lost 22-7 at Murrayfield in the Six Nations last year.
Scotland have not won in Dublin since the 23-20 Six Nations win at Croke Park in 2010.
Ireland wins: 70
Scotland wins: 66
Draws: 5
Ireland vs Scotland prediction
Beware of a wounded Ireland.
Farrell’s men will be hurting after their shock loss to old rivals England at Twickenham, which derailed their historic double Grand Slam bid, and they will be keen to ensure they at least retain their title in style on their own bottom, eliminating any final day drama or England hopes. having a last gasp stare.
It’s been a strange old tournament for Scotland, who have been hot and cold, looking brilliant at times but also very vulnerable at others as they desperately lacked good consistency.
A generally promising Six Nations has suddenly turned sour due to that unrest in Rome and they are now looking at winning just two of their five matches and a possible place in the bottom half. If things really go wrong on the last day, they can finish fifth.
Ireland wins by 15 points.
Match odds between Ireland and Scotland
Ireland wins: 1/12
Scotland wins: 15/2
Draw: 33/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).