Scotland vs Ireland
Six Nations 2019
Venue: Murrayfield
Kick-off: 14.15 GMT, Saturday February 9
A wounded Ireland team head to Murrayfield on Saturday with their pride hurt and championship credentials badly damaged following a devastating 32-20 defeat to England in Dublin on opening weekend.
The defending Grand Slam champions and tournament favourites, ranked second in the world after a stunning 2018, saw their formidable home winning streak busted in convincing fashion as they wilted in the face of their rivals' sheer intensity and physicality at the Aviva Stadium.
A late John Cooney try made the scoreline more respectable, but in truth Ireland were worryingly flat and second best in almost every department.
Joe Schmidt's side travel to Murrayfield next, annoyed not to have successfully shed that reputation as slow starters and will be eager to take their frustration out on a Scotland team whom they will also face at the World Cup in Yokohama in September.
The Scots took a while to get going against tournament whipping boys Italy last time out, but a hat-trick from Edinburgh's Blair Kinghorn - deputising for injured wing Sean Maitland - plus further efforts from the irrepressible Stuart Hogg and Chris Harris and a superb Finn Russell display secured a winning bonus point.
Of big concern to coach Gregor Townsend will be the match's final quarter, in which Italy took full advantage of Simon Berghan's yellow card and ran in three late tries despite rarely threatening before that.
For all the talk of an increased selection pool that comes as a result of Edinburgh and Glasgow's impressive performances both in Europe and the Pro14, bench depth remains a key worry amid a slew of injuries and Scotland have to maintain better levels of concentration throughout the full 80 minutes.
Team news and line-ups
A treble was not enough for Kinghorn to retain his starting berth as Townsend opts to bring Maitland straight back into the starting XV.
With WP Nel (calf) and Sam Skinner (ankle) joining Scotland's list of casualties, Berghan starts at tighthead and Josh Strauss comes in at No8 as Ryan Wilson moves to the blindside.
Jonny Gray is now fit after a shoulder injury and replaces Ben Toolis in the second row. D'arcy Rae and Rob Harley come onto the bench alongside fit-again duo Fraser Brown and Peter Horne.
Scotland XV: Hogg; Seymour, Jones, Johnson, S Maitland; Russell, Laidlaw (c); Dell, McInally, Berghan; Gilchrist, J Gray; Wilson, Ritchie, Strauss
Replacements: Brown, Bhati, Rae, Toolis, Harley, Price, Horne, Kinghorn
Ireland have been counting the cost of that brutal tie against England, with Robbie Henshaw, Garry Ringrose, Devin Toner and CJ Stander all ruled out.
Rob Kearney is back at 15, Chris Farrell makes only his second Six Nations start alongside Bundee Aki in midfield and Quinn Roux partners James Ryan in the second row.
Jack Conan also gets the nod at No8 and Josh van der Flier makes way for Sean O'Brien. Connacht's Ultan Dillane is drafted onto the bench.
Ireland XV: Kearney; Earls, Farrell, Aki, Stockdale; Murray, Sexton; Healy, Best, Furlong; Ryan, Roux; O'Mahony, O'Brien, Conan
Replacements: Cronin, Kilcoyne, Porter, Dillane, Van Der Flier, Cooney, Carbery, Larmour
Score prediction: Scotland 22-35 Ireland
A brooding Ireland team under Schmidt feels like a very dangerous proposition indeed and if Italy can exploit Scotland's lapses in concentration, then the men in green certainly can.
Two defeats in a row to begin the Six Nations in a World Cup year feels unthinkable for this Ireland setup and memories of their last trip to Murrayfield should provide further fuel for success.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Scotland to win: 9/4
- Draw: 20/1
- Ireland to win: 4/9
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
ITV and the BBC are sharing broadcasting rights for the Six Nations for the third successive year, with the BBC hosting Scotland vs Ireland on BBC One and via the iPlayer.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to Head record and history (h2h)
In 134 previous meetings between the respective nations, Scotland have a 67-62 edge in terms of victories. There have been five draws.
Ireland were memorably beaten 27-22 on their last visit to Murrayfield on opening weekend two years ago, though it is worth noting that the visitors have won five of the last six meetings.
QBE Insurance helps businesses, from start-ups and SMEs to multinationals, to identify, manage and insure their risks. For more information go to qbeeurope.com
