Rugby Test Result: Ireland 22, Scotland 15

14.03.2009
Ireland 22, Scotland 15 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)

Reviews
I predicted a Scottish win but Ireland did enough in this scrappy encounter to hold out a dtermined Scotland. Ireland are now within one game of gaining their first Grand Slam since 1948. Only Wales stand in their way next weekend. This last match of the 2009 6 Nations Championship will take place in Dublin.

Preview
Scotland has a grand chance to topple the Irish. Scotland won well against at home two weeks ago whilst Ireland struggled against the struggling English at home.

Scotland has performed well this season despite only winning against Italy. They have an exciting new backline and a front row that can take on anybody.

Ireland are still on target to win their first grand slam since 1948. They hace made some changes to the lineup that struggled against England and look a stronger unit.

Last Five Encounters
23.02.2008 Ireland 34-13 in Dublin (6 Nations)
11.08.2007 Scotland 31-21 at Murrayfield (World Cup Warm up)
10.03.2007 Ireland 19-18 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
11.03.2006 Ireland 15-9 in Dublin (6 Nations)
12.02.2005 Ireland 40-13 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Ireland 6th, Scotland 8th
Europe Table-Ireland 3rd, Scotland 5th No Change

Teams

Image thanks to irb.com

Scotland
15 Christopher Paterson
14 Simon Danielli
13 Max Evans
12 Graeme Morrison
11 Thomas Evans
10 Phillip Godman
9 Michael Blair (capt)
8 Simon Taylor
7 John Barclay
6 Alasdair Strokosch
5 James Hamilton
4 Jason White
3 Euan Murray
2 Ross Ford
1 Alasdair Dickinson
Replacements
16 Douglas Hall
17 Moray Low
18 Nathan Hines
19 Scott Gray
20 Chris Cusiter
21 Nicholas De Luca
22 Hugo Southwell
Head Coach: Frank Hadden

Image thanks to irb.com

Ireland
15 Robert Kearney
14 Tommy Bowe
13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt)
12 Gordon D'Arcy
11 Luke Fitzgerald
10 Ronan O'Gara
9 Peter Stringer
8 Denis Leamy
7 David Wallace
6 Stephen Ferris
5 Paul O'Connell
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
3 John Hayes
2 Rory Best
1 Marcus Horan
Replacements
16 Jeremy Flannery
17 Thomas Court
18 Michael O'Driscoll
19 James Heaslip
20 Thomas O'Leary
21 Patrick Wallace
22 Geordan Murphy
Head Coach: Declan Kidney