Six Nations Eire v Scotland Preview – Rugby World

Six Nations Eire v Scotland Preview

It’s extra trendy than mullets lately (Ed: Oh god, are they correctly again?!) to make use of the phrase: you may solely management the controllable. So Eire are going to give attention to profitable in Dublin towards Scotland, and if England do them a favour and win in Paris later within the day then – wahey! – the Six Nations title will probably be theirs.

Properly. Really… It’s a bit extra advanced than that.

Six Nations Tremendous Saturday climaxes with France v England and if the host win that one, they’ve a Grand Slam and a championship title. However if France lose or draw (with out scoring 4 tries for a bonus level) on the Stade de France, and Eire beat Scotland earlier within the day, it’s Andy Farrell‘s facet who will carry the trophy. Bought it?

And it’s a match-up that also squishes in a good few narratives.

If we discuss of the prevalence of the ruck within the trendy recreation, it’s clear that Eire are the kings of preserving tempo excessive throughout their attacking rucks. As analyst Ross Hamilton factors out, in Eire’s 89 attacking rucks towards England final week, that they had a mean ruck pace of two.84s – with 79% of all their rucks beneath 3 seconds. 

In opposition to Italy, nonetheless, Scotland had bang on the very same variety of attacking rucks as Italy (98) and 58% of these was beneath 3 seconds.

Scotland can strike like vipers, however solely France have kicked the ball additional that them this event. It’s clear they’re joyful to attend for the best time to spring forth. But what has been obvious at factors this event is that the Scots’ assault can get gummed up if the variety of phases climb.

Eire, nonetheless, are a staff more and more joyful to maintain the ball alive and will probably be fascinating to see how the Scots defence can cope ought to it click on. Eire’s fluency have been disrupted for giant swathes towards England as offloads got here to nothing however they’re nonetheless greater than able to creating breakdown after breakdown, however tremendous fast ones. check out Jack Conan’s strive final week. There have been 13 phases strung collectively, with all however two of their 15 getting touches on the ball. 

Conductor Johnny Sexton takes all of it in (Getty Pictures)

After all, the most important speaking level for Scotland is that playmaking fly-half Finn Russell has dropped to the bench for Edinburgh full-back-turned-ten Blair Kinghorn. There have been some faces pulled up North, that’s for certain…

It’s clearly a chance from under-pressure Gregor Townsend. However it’s reward for a high quality Edinburgh season, whereas Russell’s kind for Scotland has not all the time sparkled this 12 months. 

Curiously, in our current function on measuring strain on playmakers it was identified by Benetton defence coach Paul Gustard that Leinster and Edinburgh each have exceptionally excessive numbers of rucks (and therefor touches of the ball by their half-backs) this season. Kinghorn is used to his staff racking up rucks – however this Scotland staff are but to click on there. 

With this event properly and actually accomplished for Scotland, this one is all about exhibiting they will carry out in Dublin, whereas seeing if Kinghorn has what it takes at this degree to regulate a recreation. And none of us know the reply but. 

If Eire are to provide themselves an opportunity to finish on a roaring excessive although, their scrum must appeal match referee Wayne Barnes. Final week they have been penalised closely towards England. Seven days within the spin cycle of Six Nations discourse and each former refs and the Eire camp now say they know they need to have gotten extra change out of the officers per week in the past, although. 

After all, Eire have been nonetheless in a position to win towards 14-man England anyway. And it’s a do-over, at dwelling, with a glimmer of an opportunity at a title. They usually have performed some chic stuff this season. 

Scotland are banking on their nice query marks stumping Eire sufficient occasions for a snatch and seize. In any other case, it’ll have been one other half step again for a Staff staff that’s nonetheless to grasp the potential we hear a lot about. 

Blair Kinghorn for Edinburgh (Getty Pictures)

What’s the large staff information?

Andy Farrell has made three modifications to his beginning XV. The staff must safe a win over Gregor Townsend’s males to be in with a shot of profitable the trophy.

Wing Mack Hansen returns to the back-line, Iain Henderson replaces James Ryan (concussion) within the second row and Jack Conan comes into the again row.

He begins at No 8 with Caelan Doris shifting to blindside flanker and Peter O’Mahony dropping to the bench.

Gregor Townsend has made two modifications, with the biggie being that Finn Russell is dropped to the bench, with Blair Kinghorn picked to start out at fly-half in Dublin. Ali Worth will associate him at half-back with Darcy Graham and Kyle Steyn on the wings.

Within the forwards, Jonny Grey is again from harm and will get the nod forward of Sam Skinner within the second row.

On the bench, Ben White returns to the match-day 23 after being unnoticed of Scotland’s match towards Italy final Saturday.

Is there strain on Gregor Townsend? (Getty Pictures)

What’s being stated within the camps?

Eire captain Johnny Sexton stated: “We positively received’t be underestimating them. We all know a number of the massive outcomes that they’ve had during the last couple of years is away from dwelling.

“They hadn’t a superb file away from dwelling after which within the final couple of years they’ve crushed France, they’ve crushed England. Wales as properly. They’ve had some massive scalps away from dwelling.”

On choosing Blair Kinghorn, Scotland boss Gregor Townsend stated: “I’d want to give attention to what Blair has accomplished and the way properly he’s performed and the way he’s deserved his alternative, which he definitely has together with his performances all through the season.

“We see this as a possibility for Blair. He’s been in actually good kind. He wasn’t out there for our match (in Rome) final week (resulting from private causes) however the week earlier than that he performed his finest recreation of the season towards Connacht.”

Any fascinating statistics?

• The Centenary Quaich, offered to the winner of this match-up, was first offered in 1989 
• If Scotland win on Saturday, they tie Eire for the variety of general wins between the 2 since 1877 (67)
• A draw is valued by the bookies at 50/1
• Eire are going for his or her seventh successive win over Scotland
• Solely as soon as in 62 Exams has Finn Russell began on the bench – towards Georgia

• Based on Opta, Grant Gilchrist has made three ‘dominant tackles’ this Six Nations – making him the one participant set to function on this match who’s within the High 10 for the stat. 
• Kiwi coach Colin Cooper not too long ago advised the Irish occasions that Jamison Gibson-Park may run a Bronco check to the distinctive degree of 20.2 
• 2018 was the final time Eire received a Triple Crown towards their House Nations rivals

What time does it kick off and is it on TV?

Eire vs Scotland, Saturday 19 March, Aviva Stadium.

The match kicks off at 4.45pm and will probably be proven on ITV within the UK and in Eire on Virgin Media One. You possibly can hearken to protection on BBC Radio Scotland and on RTÉ Radio 1.

Referee Wayne Barnes heads up an all-English officers panel, with Karl Dickson and Christophe Ridley aiding, and Stuart Terheege the TMO.

What are the line-ups?

Eire: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (captain), Jamison Gibson Park; Cian Healy, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Kieran Treadwell, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Joey Carbery, Robbie Henshaw.

Scotland: Stuart Hogg (captain); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Sam Johnson, Kyle Steyn; Blair Kinghorn, Ali Worth; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Jonny Grey, Grant Gilchrist, Rory Darge, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson.

Replacements: Fraser Brown, Allan Dell, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Josh Bayliss, Ben White, Finn Russell, Mark Bennett.

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