SCOTLAND v IRELAND 6 Nations Championship

02.02.2014
Scotland v Ireland in Dublin (6 Nations International Championship)

Venue: Aviva Stadium

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Preview
A rugby test match between Ireland and Scotland usually comes down to a brwwl fest, meaning that a forward sluggout session is on the cards. If that happens Ireland will win.

The Irish forwards are likely to set up a platform for Ireland’s backs to take their opportunities. Brian O’Driscoll will relish such domination and will hopefully enjoy and celebrate his 129th rugby test for Ireland passing the record holder Rohan O’Gara.

Scotland had a miserable November test series and I can’t see things improving for them tomorrow.

Last Five Encounters
24.02.2013 Scotland 12-8 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
10.03.2012 Ireland 32-14 in Dublin (6 Nations)
06.08.2011 Scotland 10-6 at Murrayfield (World Cup Warm Up)
27.02.2011 Ireland 21-18 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
20.03.2010 Scotland 23-20 in Dublin (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Scotland 4th, Ireland 9th
Europe Table: Scotland 4th, Ireland 6th

IRB Ranking Points
Ireland 79.33, Scotland 76.56

Prediction: It will be tough and may not be pretty, but Ireland to just squeeze in by 4 points.

Teams

Ireland

15		Robert Kearney	Leinster
14		Andrew Trimble	Ulster
13		Brian O'Driscoll	Leinster
12		Luke Marshall	Ulster
11		David Kearney	Leinster
10		Jonathan Sexton	Racing-Metro 92, France
9		Conor Murray	Munster
8		James Heaslip	Leinster
7		Christopher Henry	Ulster
6		Peter O'Mahony	Munster
5		Paul O'Connell (Capt.)	Munster
4		Devin Toner	Leinster
3		Michael Ross	Leinster
2		Rory Best	Ulster
1		Cian Healy	Leinster
16		Sean Cronin	Leinster
17		Jack McGrath	Leinster
18		Martin Moore	Leinster
19		Daniel Tuohy	Ulster
20		Thomas O'Donnell	Munster
21		Isaac Boss	Leinster
22		Patrick Jackson	Ulster
23		Fergus McFadden	Leinster
		HEAD COACH: Joseph Schmidt

Scotland

15		Stuart Hogg	Glasgow Warriors
14		Sean Maitland	Glasgow Warriors
13		Alexander Dunbar	Glasgow Warriors
12		Duncan Taylor	Saracens, England
11		Sean Lamont	Glasgow Warriors
10		Duncan Weir	Glasgow Warriors
9		Greig Laidlaw	Edinburgh Rugby
8		David Denton	Edinburgh Rugby
7		Kelly Brown (Capt.)	Saracens, England
6		Ryan Wilson	Glasgow Warriors
5		James Hamilton	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
4		Timothy Swinson	Glasgow Warriors
3		Moray Low	Glasgow Warriors
2		Ross Ford	Edinburgh Rugby
1		Ryan Grant	Glasgow Warriors
16		Patrick MacArthur	Glasgow Warriors
17		Alasdair Dickinson	Edinburgh Rugby
18		Geoffrey Cross	Edinburgh Rugby
19		Richard Gray	Castres Olympique, France
20		John Beattie	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
21		Christopher Cusiter	Glasgow Warriors
22		Mathew Scott	Edinburgh Rugby
23		Max Evans	Castres Olympique, France
		HEAD COACH: Scott Johnson

Both team line ups adapted from http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/30649.php