Scotland vs Ireland Prediction: Jones to touchdown at Murrayfield
After winning their opening games of the 2025 Six Nations, all eyes will be on Murrayfield on Sunday (15:00, BBC One) as Scotland take on reigning champions Ireland.
Alex Jack provides his best bets in his Scotland vs Ireland prediction preview, as well as all the essential team news and match odds for this showdown in Edinburgh.
Scotland vs Ireland Betting Tips
Team News
Scotland go with Rory Sutherland, Dave Cherry and Zander Ferguson in the front row, with locks Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist forming an experienced second row.
Matt Fagerson moves to blindside flanker to accommodate Jack Dempsey at number eight, while Rory Darge completes the back row.
Ben White and Finn Russell continue in the half-backs, with Tom Jordan coming into the centres to join Huw Jones.
The back three is unchanged from the win over Italy, with Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn starting from the off.
As for Ireland, Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham resume in the front row, with locks James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room.
Caelen Doris will skipper the side from a back row that includes the returning Peter O’Mahony and Josh van der Flier.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Sam Prendergast continue in the half-backs, with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw forming the centre partnership.
It’s a formidable back three for the Irish with Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen and James Lowe starting from the off.
Scotland are 2/1, or a 33.3% chance, to cause an upset against the reigning Six Nations champions on Sunday, while Ireland are 2/5 favourites for the win.
A draw at Murrayfield is available at 20/1, while Ireland to be leading at the half-time and full-time whistles is currently 5/6.
Scotland +5 handicap @ 21/20
Scotland ran Ireland close in their last meeting in Dublin last season, with the Irish coming out on top 17-13 that day at the Aviva Stadium.
Back in the home comforts of Murrayfield, Gregor Townsend’s Scotland look to be good value with a +5 handicap at 21/20.
The hosts will need a better performance from fly-half Finn Russell than his display in the 31-19 win over Italy on what was a rare off-day for the Bath playmaker this season.
If the Scots can get the ball in the hands of their outside backs more often, they have the attacking threat to get points on the board against an Irish side who made a sluggish start to their 27-22 win over England last weekend.
This could well be a close game decided in the last 10 minutes and Scotland with the handicap start get the nod here.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Huw Jones (SCO) anytime tryscorer @ 11/5
Having scored a hat-trick against the Azzurri last weekend, outside centre Jones is certainly putting his hand up for British & Irish Lions selection this summer.
Jones has a good tryscoring record against the Irish, touching down in both of their last two meetings in the Six Nations.
Given his recent form for Glasgow Warriors and his country, Jones is good value at 11/5 in the anytime tryscorer market here.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Offers
Six Nations (31/01 – 15/03): Get double the odds if your winning First Tryscorer bet scores a 2nd in all Six Nations matches.
Saturday: Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on England v France on Saturday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Scotland v Ireland. (Credited upon Bet Settlement)
Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights
Share Article
New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.
