After eventually overcoming a hugely spirited display from 14-man England at Twickenham in round four, Andy Farrell’s side have to win again this weekend and hope that France’s Grand Slam dream is later wrecked by Eddie Jones and Co in Paris.
But they will have to play better than last Saturday, when for long stretches they failed to take advantage of Charlie Ewels’ record red card for a dangerous tackle with just 82 seconds on the clock.
After defeating Italy 33-22 in an entertaining clash in Rome last time out, Scotland currently sit fourth in the standings and will have their eye on jumping above England into third, though can also finish fifth if they are not careful.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game…
Ireland vs Scotland date, kick-off time and venue
Ireland vs Scotland takes place on Saturday March 19, 2022, with a 4:45pm GMT kick-off time.
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host the match.
How to watch Ireland vs Scotland
TV channel: Ireland vs Scotland is being broadcast live on ITV, with coverage beginning at 4pm.
Live stream: You can also watch the action unfold online via the ITV website or ITV Hub.
Live blog: Stay up to date via Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog on Saturday.
Ireland vs Scotland team news
Andy Farrell has made three changes to the Ireland team that pulled away late from 14-man England, with Mack Hansen returning on the wing in place of the injured Andrew Conway.
In the pack, lock James Ryan – who was the victim of Ewels’ red-card tackle at Twickenham – is replaced by Iain Henderson and Peter O’Mahony makes way for Jack Conan in the back row.
Conan starts at No8, with Caelan Doris switching to blindside flanker. Second-row Kieran Treadwell moves onto the bench with Ryan Baird out.
From a Scottish perspective, the headline team news is undoubtedly Gregor Townsend’s decision to replace mercurial fly-half Finn Russell with Blair Kinghorn.
There’s also a switch in the second row, with Sam Skinner replaced by Exeter team-mate Jonny Gray.
“I’d prefer to focus on what Blair has done and how well he’s played and how he’s deserved his opportunity, which he certainly has with his performances throughout the season,” Townsend said of the shock decision to drop Russell.
“We see this as an opportunity for Blair. He’s been in really good form. He wasn’t available for our match (in Rome) last week (due to personal reasons) but the week before that he played his best game of the season against Connacht.
“He’s come on twice off the bench and shown what he can do in that (Scotland number 10) jersey. He started (at stand-off) against Tonga and played really well and he’s built on that performance so we believe this is the right time, the right game for him to play in.”
Ireland vs Scotland lineups
Ireland lineup: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (C), Gibson-Park; Healy, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Henderson, Doris, Van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: Henshaw, Carbery, Murray, Kilcoyne, Herring, Bealham, Treadwell, O’Mahony.
Scotland lineup: Hogg (C); Graham, Harris, Johnson, Steyn; Kinghorn, Price; M Fagerson, Watson, Darge; Gilchrist, J Gray; Z Fagerson, Turner, Schoeman.
Replacements: Brown, Dell, Nel, Skinner, Bayliss, White, Russell, Bennett.
Ireland vs Scotland prediction
Ireland were well below par against undermanned England, with the final scoreline at Twickenham flattering the visitors after a strangely disjointed and passive display against 14 men.
However, it’s tough to see them repeating that here, with victory essential if they are to pile pressure on Grand Slam-chasers France and potentially lift the title themselves when it’s all said and done.
Scotland have once again been a mixed bag during this championship, not helped by injuries.
The Scots haven’t won in Dublin for 12 years and dropping a player of Russell’s talents is unlikely to help change that.
Ireland to win by 10 points.
Ireland vs Scotland head to head (h2h) history and results
The head to head battle between these two nations is close, with Ireland winning 67 of the previous 138 meetings and Scotland 66, with five draws.
But Ireland have won 10 of the last 11 matches, including a 27-24 triumph at Murrayfield in last year’s Six Nations, which saw Johnny Sexton kick a late winning penalty after Scotland had overturned a 14-point deficit.
Scotland’s only wins over Ireland in the last decade have come in Edinburgh, while they last won in Dublin at Croke Park in 2010, a last-gasp Dan Parks penalty helping them to avoid the wooden spoon.
Ireland vs Scotland betting odds
Ireland win: 1/10
Scotland win: 13/2
Draw: 35/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
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