Ireland vs Scotland

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Ireland v Scotland

Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Sunday, 2 Feb 2014
Kick-off: 15:00

Referee: Craig Joubert (SARU)
Assistant referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant referee: Mike Fraser (NZR)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)

A. Squads

1. Ireland

Backs:
Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster), Craig Gilroy (Dungannon/Ulster), Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster), David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster), Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) *, Luke Marshall (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

Forwards:
Rodney Ah You (Buccaneers/Connacht) *, Stephen Archer (Cork Constitution/Munster), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues) *, Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster) *, Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) *, David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) *, Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) *, Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster), Damien Varley (Garryowen/Munster)

* Uncapped player

2. Scotland

Forwards:
John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs:
Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

B. Head To Head

127 Played 127
57 Wins 65
65 Losses 57
5 Draws 5
203 Tries 210
104 Conversions 109
111 Penalties 131
17 Drop Goals 38
1,344 Points 1,303

C. Recent Form

24 February 2013
Scotland 12–8 Ireland

10 March 2012
Ireland 32–14  Scotland

27 February 2011
Scotland 18–21  Ireland

D. Teams

1. Ireland



15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 49
14. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 2
13. Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) 128
12. Luke Marshall (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 4
11. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 50
10. Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) 38
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 22
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 42
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 70
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 34
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 10
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) (capt) 88
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 19
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 9
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 60

Replacements:

16. Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 30
17. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 3
18. Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) *
19. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster) 7
20. Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 2
21. Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster) 17
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 5
23. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 21

* Denotes uncapped player

2. Scotland




15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 15 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
14 Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps, 1 try, 5 points
13 Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 try, 5 points
12 Duncan Taylor (Saracens) 6 caps
11 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 82 caps, 12 tries, 60 points
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps, 1 try, 2 conversions, 9 points
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) 24 caps, 3 tries, 23 conversions, 54 penalties, 223 points
1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) 13 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 71 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 23 caps
4 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) 50 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) CAPTAIN 60 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 17 caps

Replacements:

16 Pat MacArthur (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) 30 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 23 caps, 1 try, 5 points
19 Richie Gray (Castres) 33 caps, 1 try, 5 points
20 Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) 26 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
21 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 64 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
22 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 16 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
23 Max Evans (Castres) 37 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

Congratulations GC. Of course the biggest decision after the birth of a son is...will he be a forward or a back

George Carlin wrote:He has indeed. Thanks very much.
Thankfully he looks like his mother.

Many congratulations.

Get a rugby ball in his hands straightaway - he's already reaching that age where ASBO will be calling for him to play centre with Bennett at the next WC!!

From planet rugby from a poster who is supposed to be in the know. Same team as NZ but Henry, Trimble and Marshall come in.


1 Healy
2 Best
3 Ross
4 Toner
5 POC
6 POM
7 Henry
8 Heaslip
9 Murray
10 Sexton
11 Trimble
12 Marshall
13 BOD
14 D. Kearney
15 R. Kearney

16 Cronin
17 McGrath
18 Moore
19 Tuohy
20 TOD
21 Boss
22 Jackson
23 McFadden

I think Schmidt might put a few front ranked players (two or so) on the bench rather than have them start.

Like the look of that side but think McFadden will start ahead of Trimble.

Not sure if fellow Scot's agree but I feel we've been written off to a greater extent than usual this year. Despite finishing 3rd last year and scoring 2nd most tries, we've been largely ignored by the media because we can't score points.

reallybored wrote:Not sure if fellow Scot's agree but I feel we've been written off to a greater extent than usual this year.  Despite finishing 3rd last year and scoring 2nd most tries, we've been largely ignored by the media because we can't score points.

Scotland are 11/2 to win. Which seems like good odds to me, might be a worth a bet.

Scotland have a decent team. I'd be disappointed with lower than third for sure.

SecretFly wrote:I think Schmidt might put a few front ranked players (two or so) on the bench rather than have them start.

I can see the likes of McFadden and D'Arcy being held back for Wales. I think we'll see a lot more rotation under Schmidt.

reallybored wrote:Not sure if fellow Scot's agree but I feel we've been written off to a greater extent than usual this year.  Despite finishing 3rd last year and scoring 2nd most tries, we've been largely ignored by the media because we can't score points.

Nah, reckon the mejia have it about right

The only reputable wing of the mejia is NewsNet Scotland, particularly their weather forecasting.

Clear skies and plain sailing, I hear.

Talking of wings, I prefer Wings Over ... clarity and honesty

Notch wrote:

SecretFly wrote:I think Schmidt might put a few front ranked players (two or so) on the bench rather than have them start.

I can see the likes of McFadden and D'Arcy being held back for Wales. I think we'll see a lot more rotation under Schmidt.

I agree, we'll definitely see changes especially in these back to back games. I'd say only a handful will start them all if fit - O'Connell, BOD, Sexton, Kearney ... you can probably guess the rest...

Why's Ireland taking so long over their team announcement?

Patience, Nematode- the team will be named tomorrow! The last team to name their side.

To give Reddan a chance to prove his fitness apparently.

Joe needs to learn the names of the non-Leinster players (considering there is only one or two he is clearly a slow learner)

I hope Joe gets Ireland firing as they should be the top NH team

Nematode wrote:I hope Joe gets Ireland firing as they should be the top NH team

On what exactly would you base that?

ME-109 wrote:

Nematode wrote:I hope Joe gets Ireland firing as they should be the top NH team

On what exactly would you base that?

The performances of Leinster, Ulster and Munster. They've played really well in the rabo and heineken cup recently, better than the French and English teams.

Nematode wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Nematode wrote:I hope Joe gets Ireland firing as they should be the top NH team

On what exactly would you base that?

The performances of Leinster, Ulster and Munster. They've played really well in the rabo and heineken cup recently, better than the French and English teams.

Hmm a glass half full man?

Ulster have done exceptionally well but Pienaar, Afoa, Muller, Williams and Payne have been very influential and none are available to Ireland.

Leinster were phenomenal against Saints away but beyond this haven't really performed anywhere near the level of a few seasons ago. They've been pragmatic and impressive but have struggled in attack.... considering most of the Irish backline will be Leinstermen that could be an issue... they're scrum has buckled too and they're supplying both props and 3 of the tight 5...

Munster have exceded expectations again for sure, however are still a work in progress in terms of their style of play. The results are impressive but they are still making a lot of basic errors and struggling with their attacking patterns at times.

Based on the performances of the provinces Ireland should be optimistic but certainly wouldn't say they indicate we should be the top team.

Nematode wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Nematode wrote:I hope Joe gets Ireland firing as they should be the top NH team

On what exactly would you base that?

The performances of Leinster, Ulster and Munster. They've played really well in the rabo and heineken cup recently, better than the French and English teams.

And to state the bleedin obvious almost all the talent is concentrated in three (and a bit) teams. Talent in England and France is spread out much wider. Scotland and Wales(increasingly) both have a significant presence in other leagues

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/marshall-trimble-and-henry-set-to-start-for-ireland-1.1674155

Irish Times suggesting the team will be the same as the one rumoured yesterday;

POSSIBLE IRELAND XV (to face Scotland); Rob Kearney (Leinster); Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Dave Kearney (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro) , Conor Murray (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster) , Rory Best (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Paul O’Connell (Munster, capt), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Marty Moore, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O’Donnell, Isaac Boss, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden.

rodders wrote:

Nematode wrote:

ME-109 wrote:

Nematode wrote:I hope Joe gets Ireland firing as they should be the top NH team

On what exactly would you base that?

The performances of Leinster, Ulster and Munster. They've played really well in the rabo and heineken cup recently, better than the French and English teams.

Hmm a glass half full man?

Ulster have done exceptionally well but Pienaar, Afoa, Muller, Williams and Payne have been very influential and none are available to Ireland.

Leinster were phenomenal against Saints away but beyond this haven't really performed anywhere near the level of a few seasons ago. They've been pragmatic and impressive but have struggled in attack.... considering most of the Irish backline will be Leinstermen that could be an issue... they're scrum has buckled too and they're supplying both props and 3 of the tight 5...

Munster have exceded expectations again for sure, however are still a work in progress in terms of their style of play. The results are impressive but they are still making a lot of basic errors and struggling with their attacking patterns at times.

Based on the performances of the provinces Ireland should be optimistic but certainly wouldn't say they indicate we should be the top team.

Eh... No. Sure Mr. Pen Try is our top scorer this year Rods.

It is interesting that the Irish are the best in the HC but their national team is mid table - Wales have the best record in the 6N but their teams in the HC are not achieving much. Why?

Good stuff Notch, I like the look of that team. Big game for Andy given the competition on the wings.

Happy for Dan Touhy to get a spot on the bench too. Tommy O'Donnell is a serious talent and will put pressure on Henry so he needs a big game.

As said above I expect Joe will change the 22 a bit for the Welsh game, especially with the 5 day turn around.

It will definitely be more a squad system under Schmidt - players just need to show they can do the job when they get the chance.

France have the best record don't they?

Mickado wrote:
Eh... No. Sure Mr. Pen Try is our top scorer this year Rods.

Ah sure they give penalty tries for anything down the RDS Mick....

No 7&1/2 wrote:France have the best record don't they?

France and England have won the same amount of 6N games. Ireland are two behind, followed by Wales, then Scotland and then Italy.

TJ wrote:It is interesting that the Irish are the best in the HC but their national team is mid table - Wales have the best record in the 6N but their teams in the HC are not achieving much.  Why?

Well we're not the best in the Heino - Toulon and Clermont were top 2 last year.

Wales have dominated the 6N in recent years because they have some very good players but a lot of them are in France.

It all makes perfect sense if you think about it....

Given the number of games we've won since the Five Nations became the Six, just one championship is a staggeringly poor return for us. Obviously we went through a large number of missed chances between 2000 and 2010.

Yes in theory it is but the reality is different - 2002 and 2007 were missed opportunities but beyond that we were very much second best to a very strong French side.

You could also say we got luck in '09 , just about getting out of jail in Wales.

It's easy to say we should have done better but you have to actually analyse the individual games and see were the improvements could have been made. Most of the time we haven't been good enough.

Maybe you guys should go start another thread on this subject. It's not really related to the game on Sunday

Sorry cake. To be fair, this idle chatter will likely evaporate when Ireland name their team at 12.30   

Here is the team. Hot off the press:

Rob Kearney (Leinster);
Andrew Trimble (Ulster),
Brian O’Driscoll (Leinster),
Luke Marshall (Ulster),
Dave Kearney (Leinster);
Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro) ,
Conor Murray (Munster);
Cian Healy (Leinster) ,
Rory Best (Ulster),
Mike Ross (Leinster),
Devin Toner (Leinster),
Paul O’Connell (Munster, capt),
Peter O’Mahony (Munster),
Chris Henry (Ulster),
Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Marty Moore, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O’Donnell, Isaac Boss, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden.

Unless there is a late injury, that will be the team.

Im happy with that team. Great depth in the front row. Good to see Trimble back in green, I suspect he will score a try.

Yeah I like it - what I like more is that there could be 7 or 8 changes and I'd probably still like it.

I think this will be a tough 6N for us and a very tough game here. Here's hoping for a home win and some good individual performances.

Surprisingly happy with this team.

And to think that it can improved if Schmidty ever decides to pick Tuohy or Hendo, when Fitz comes back (how bad is his injury?),if Zebo comes in or an in form Bowe, when Moore gets to grips with international rugby ..... when SOB and Ferris come back.

If we can win the 6N with this team, we should be feared.

Lets just beat Scotland first gleeson.

I'm very happy with the team if it is confirmed as that. Pretty much agree with every call.

I think when you look at the players not there - Zebo, Copeland, Gilroy, Henderson, Donnacha Ryan, Gordon D'arcy, Ian Madigan - you realise we have some good options even with the injuries.

1 game at a time but I think there's a bigger strategy here to build depth and to identify a squad who can go to the RWC and deliver. Next year will be the real acid test but I'm hopeful we can have a good campaign here too.

Scotland definitely can't be underestimated though, they have some really good players, this is not a banker home win by any stretch. I wouldn't underestimate Johnson as a coach either, he was fundamental to Wales 2005 GS.

Notch wrote:Lets just beat Scotland first gleeson.

I'm very happy with the team if it is confirmed as that. Pretty much agree with every call.

Well its Thornley's team which is always right isnt it?

Maybe we should run an analysis for each 6N game to prove the rumours true that he always knows the team pre anouncement.

Tbh, I saw the exact same team on twitter yesterday and on other forums. As well as the Irish Times, it's also in the Irish Independent today. They could all be just jumping onto the same rumour but when you see the same team named in several different places that makes you think it's credible.

Yeah I noticed it was the same in other sources too but havent really come across this before. Usually it seems that the Irish times have it before everyone else. Not that I really read the indo mind you.

Maybe it'll be completely wrong!   

We'll see very soon.

I did see in a couple of places that McFadden was starting rather than Trimble and Copeland was on the bench...

rodders wrote:I did see in a couple of places that McFadden was starting rather than Trimble and Copeland was on the bench...

Wouldnt be much of a shock really would it. Copeland certainly looks the real deal.

Well now is where some of the 'real deals' actually have to stand up and prove it.  We have a schedule that will be taking us right up to the WC.  There is plenty of incentive to play hard and honest in each and every game, and there are guys waiting in the wings if full committment to the cause through 80 minutes isn't doable for some.

It'll be interesting to see what pace and tempo we set for ourselves during this tournament... or whether we yet again play loose and easy with it and too readily lose rhythm and purpose through games.

The rumoured team was spot on. Reddan and Fitzgerald out. Schmidt "better to err on the side of caution". Call at 12 partly due to D'Arcy having a stomach bug at the start of the week.

Schmidt highlights Trimbles physicality, aerial skills and defensive play as reasons for his selection, highlights danger of Scottish wings.

reallybored wrote:Not sure if fellow Scot's agree but I feel we've been written off to a greater extent than usual this year. Despite finishing 3rd last year and scoring 2nd most tries, we've been largely ignored by the media because we can't score points.

TJ wrote:Scotland have a decent team.  I'd be disappointed with lower than third for sure.

rodders wrote: Scotland definitely can't be underestimated though, they have some really good players, this is not a banker home win by any stretch. I wouldn't underestimate Johnson as a coach either, he was fundamental to Wales 2005 GS.

I refer you all, and any others who think Scotland have an ice-cream in hell's chance, to the OP of this thread: https://www.606v2.com/t50461-the-scotland-6n-dark-horses-thread