Ireland vs Scotland Prediction: Scots will attempt to rain on St Patrick’s Parade

The Irish crowd will be expecting a formality win to kickstart the St Patrick’s Parade on Saturday afternoon (16:45), but Scotland will keep the trophy engraver honest. Our Rugby tipster Alex Cox is back with his Ireland vs Scotland Prediction and full match preview. 

Both of these sides were off their game last week and each were duly punished. Ireland’s dream of a consecutive Grand Slam was eradicated ,after England reached unexpected heights to hand Ireland their first Six Nations defeat since February 2022. That result at Twickenham will have stung Scotland even more – as their painful loss to Italy prevented a straight-shoot out scenario in Dublin this weekend.

Subsequently, a draw is enough for Ireland to secure the Six Nations title and although Scotland can technically still lift the trophy, they need to wipe out an Irish points difference of 76 points.

Before the loss at Twickenham, Ireland had looked immovable throughout this Six Nations campaign. However England showed they were beatable and Scotland will certainly be looking to replicate that this week. Ireland still have their Six Nations title hopes firmly with their hands, but I wander whether they will limp over the line as opposed to smashing through it..

Not for the first time this tournament, Scotland started well but fell away in the second half vs Italy. They have shown repeatedly they can compete and even dominate Test matches, but the lack of discipline and ruthlessness to close out a game is their constant downfall. It means a Scottish win in Dublin is unlikely, but I do believe they will be able to keep this match close and bounce-back after a disappointing result last week.

Team news

Ireland

Andy Farrell has shown faith in his side this weekend and names an unchanged XV. The notable change though is the bench, with Farrell reverting to the tradition 5-3 forwards-backs split this week, with Ringrose fit enough to return to the squad.

The front-row will be Porter, Sheehan and Furlong, with McCarthy and Beirne in behind them. The back-row of O’Mahony, Van der Flier and Boris will be wanting to bounce back after they were overshadowed by Earl, Chessum and Underhill.

The back-line sees Gibson-Park and Crowley partner up again, with Aki and Henshaw in the midfield. Nash has passed his HIA protocols to start again on the right-wing, with Lowe as usual on the left-wing and Keenan at Full-back.

Scotland

Townsend has made 2 changes to the side that lost in Rome last weekend – both in the backline. The unchanged pack sees Schoeman, Turner and Zander Fagerson partner up in the front-row again. Gilchrist and Cummings are the Locks, with Christie, Darge and Dempsey combining in the back-row. Christie has certainly taken his opportunity recently after some impressive performances of late.

The first change sees Horne move to the bench with White given the 9 shirt instead, with Skipper Russell outside of him at Fly-half. The other change is in the midfield, with McDowall chosen to partner Jones in the midfield meaning Redpath will come off the bench this week.

The consistent back-three of Van Der Merwe, Steyn and Kinghorn remain together again.

Scotland +15.5 @ 5/6

Double result Scotland HT / Ireland FT @ 6/1

Although the recent H2H results firmly favour Ireland, the Scot’s have covered this handicap in four of the last six games and I think they will be able to do the same again this weekend.

The pressure is firmly with Ireland to get the job done and the Scot’s have a shot to nothing, which is a dangerous combination! Additionally, considering the Scottish trend of stronger first half performances, I think there is value in the Double result Scotland HT / Ireland FT @ 6/1.