Ireland v Scotland, 15 August

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IRELAND v SCOTLAND
15 August 2015
KO: 17:00 local
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Live on Sky Sports at Notch's house

Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant Referees: [TBC]
TMO: [TBC]

A. Head to Head

130 Played 130
59 Won 66
5 Drawn 5
66 Lost 59
1,416 Points 1,420

B. Recent Form

21 March 2015
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
10 – 40 to Ireland

2 February 2014
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
28 – 6 to Ireland

24 February 2013
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
12 – 8 to Scotland

10 March 2012
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
32 – 14 to Ireland

6 August 2011
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
10 – 6 to Scotland

27 February 2011
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
18 – 21 to Ireland

20 March 2010
Croke Park, Dublin
20 – 23 to Scotland

C. Teams

IRELAND

15. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Jared Payne (Ulster)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
09. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)

08. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) capt
07. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
06. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
05. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
04. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
03. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
02. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster)
01. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)

16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
17. Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Connacht)*
19. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
23. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

SCOTLAND

15 Ruaridh Jackson  (Wasps)
14 Sean Lamont  (Glasgow  Warriors)  
13 Richie Vernon  (Glasgow  Warriors)  
12 Peter Horne  (Glasgow  Warriors)  
11 Tim Visser  (Harlequins)
10 Greig Tonks  (Edinburgh  Rugby)
09 Henry Pyrgos  CAPTAIN  (Glasgow  Warriors)

01 Ryan Grant  (Glasgow  Warriors)  
02 Fraser Brown  (Glasgow  Warriors)  
03 Jon Welsh  (Newcastle  Falcons)
04 Jim Hamilton  (Saracens)  
05 Grant Gilchrist  (Edinburgh  Rugby)
06 Blair Cowan  (London  Irish)
07 Hugh Blake  (Glasgow  Warriors)
08 David Denton  (Edinburgh  Rugby)  

16 Ross Ford  (Edinburgh  Rugby)
17 Gordon Reid  (Glasgow  Warriors)
18 Mike Cusack  (Glasgow  Warriors)
19 Rob Harley  (Glasgow  Warriors)
20 John Barclay  (Scarlets)  
21 Sam Hidalgo-­Clyne  (Edinburgh  Rugby)
22 Duncan Weir  (Glasgow  Warriors)  
23 Matt  Scott  (Edinburgh  Rugby)

This is one hell of a random team!

At least we're going to see Blake at 7 and Tonks at 10 - will answer a lot of questions on their abilities.

Scott on the bench is pleasing too - hope he's ready.

Er. Can someone actually please post the team, then?

15. Jackson !?!?!
14. Shlong
13. Vernon
12. Horne
11. Visser
10. RDW's wet dream
9. Pyrgos (c)

8. Clare Denton
7. Blake
6. Cowan
5. Grant Gilchrist
4. Jim Hamilton
3. Jon Welsh
2. Fraser Brown
1. Ryan Grant

Just for you, sweetcheeks.

That is a dog's breakfast of a team, even taking into account that it's a warm-up.

Locked the other thread for now to save cross-discussion

What a weird team

Jackson at 15.... has he ever actaully played there before

We have a 10 playing 15 and and a 15 play 10

Bring back SJ

So... how much do we expect Ireland to win by?

Subs:

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
17 Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors)
18 Mike Cusack (Glasgow Warriors)
19 Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors)
20 John Barclay (Scarlets)
21 Sam Hidalgo-­Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby)
22 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)
23 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)

I think we just need to accept that this is a glorified run around to give people game time.

Given we have some players who desperately need game time, and they are playing, that is a good thing!

Head Coach Vern Cotter will hand 22-­year-­old back-­row Hugh Blake his first start for Scotland against Ireland in this Saturday’s Summer Test at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (15 August, kick-­off 5pm) – live on Sky Sports.

After his December arrival, Blake was an unused squad member during the 2015 RBS 6 Nations, but impressed for Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland 7s before earning a move west in the summer.

His Glasgow Warriors teammate Mike Cusack (prop) could also make his debut from the bench.

The Ireland Test is the first in a four match schedule to be played on consecutive Saturdays, as the extended 47-­man squad gear up for the Rugby World Cup 2015.

Back-­to-­back fixtures against Italy will follow in Turin (22nd) and Edinburgh at BT Murrayfield (29th), with the home encounter fans’ only chance to see Scotland on home soil before the Rugby World Cup 2015 – tickets from £15 for adults, £5 for under-­18s and FREE for U12s with a paying adult.

The Scotland team will then announce the final 31-­man squad for the Rugby World Cup before concluding preparations against France in Paris on Saturday 5 September.

Head Coach Vern Cotter, said: “It’s been important to get a good look at everyone over the last two months.

“The strength and conditioning team have worked hard to get more power and endurance from our players, while we’ve also focused a lot on basic skill sets.

“The successful application of these elements will enable us to perform the various forms of rugby that we would like to play; dominating collisions and using these skill sets to become better at making and executing decisions.

“These 23 players now have the first chance to stake a claim for the final 31-­man squad for the Rugby World Cup, against what we know is quality opposition.”

Scrum-­half Henry Pyrgos will start as captain for the first time alongside stand-­off Greig Tonks, who will make his first start for his country since switching from his once favoured full-­back position at the start of the 2014/15 season.

Peter Horne will reform the Guinness PRO12 winning centre partnership with fellow Warrior Richie Vernon, who makes his first appearance for Scotland since transforming from a number 8 two years ago.

The backs are completed by Sean Lamont, Tim Visser and Ruaridh Jackson, the latter set to make a second appearance at full-­back for the national team, the first coming as a replacement in the victory over USA in Houston last summer.

In the pack, a stomach bug has prevented Stuart McInally from making is debut alongside props Ryan Grant and Jon Welsh, meaning Fraser Brown starts with Ross Ford coming into the squad on the bench.

Jim Hamilton and Grant Gilchrist are behind them in the boiler house; the latter set for his first appearance since captaining Scotland last summer having missed the majority of the 2014/15 season with an arm injury.

Finally, in the back-­row, Blake is joined by Blair Cowan on the blind-­side flank, and David Denton at number 8.

On the bench, forwards Ross Ford, Gordon Reid, Cusack, Rob Harley and John Barclay join backs Sam Hidalgo-­Clyne, Duncan Weir and Matt Scott, with Scott a replacement for Tommy Seymour who sprained his hip in training.

SCOTLAND TEAM (SPONSOR BT) TO PLAY IRELAND IN THIS SATURDAY’S SUMMER TEST MATCH AT THE AVIVA STADIUM IN DUBLIN (15 AUGUST, KICK-­OFF 5PM):

15 Ruaridh Jackson (Wasps) – 25 caps; 3 cons, 2 pens, 2 drops, 18 points

14 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) – 93 caps; 12 tries, 60 points
13 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
12 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 7 caps
11 Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 18 caps;; 7 tries, 35 points

10 Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) – 4 caps
9 Henry Pygros CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps;; 2 tries, 10 points

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
2 Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
3 Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 4 caps; 1 try, 5 points
4 Jim Hamilton (Saracens) – 61 caps; 1 try, 5 points
5 Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 8 caps; 1 try, 5 points
6 Blair Cowan (London Irish) – 11 caps; 1 try, 5 points
7 Hugh Blake (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps

Substitutes:
16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 85 caps; 2 tries, 10 points
17 Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 8 caps
18 Mike Cusack (Glasgow Warriors) – uncapped
19 Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 15 caps, 1 try, 5 points
20 John Barclay (Scarlets) – 43 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
21 Sam Hidalgo-­Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
22 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps, 1 try, 6 pens, 5 cons, 1 drop, 36 points
23 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) – 25 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

Madder than a box of hair wearing a sombrero.

Er. Er. I mean, what can you really say about it?

1. Props - delighted to see Cusack will probably be capped at last. Grant and Welsh have big points to prove. Bench props will bring impact.

2. Locks - Gilchrist back is very good news and with the Tattooed Penalty Magnet have to be one of our biggest and heaviest boiler rooms in recent years.

3. Loosies - time for Blake the Wonder Foetus to deliver on the deafening hype. First Ashe, now Blake - guys who played for Scotland before a Scottish club. I can see Blair working himself into a penalty conceding frenzy before we let Barclay loose to show him how it should be done. Dozer is back. Let's see if he gives a pass in the entire 80 minutes.

4. Backs - WTF has Vern been smoking? A dedicated 10 at 15 and one of Scotland's safest full backs at 10. It could be genius, it could be like asking a fish to climb a tree. I know which I think it is. Sean Lamont. Sean bloody Lamont. The slowest winger since Kenny Logan. God bless his socks.

We will get absolutely spanked like we owe Ireland money. But it will at least be entertaining.

GLove39 wrote:So... how much do we expect Ireland to win by?

3 scores and as many penalties as Jim Hamilton gets bored and decides to concede.

JACKSON at 15 against a bunch of gaelic footballers, that's a typo surely?

George Carlin wrote:

GLove39 wrote:So... how much do we expect Ireland to win by?

3 scores and as many penalties as Jim Hamilton gets bored and decides to concede.

so 30-40 points then, just like the 6 Nations

George Carlin wrote:

GLove39 wrote:So... how much do we expect Ireland to win by?

3 scores and as many penalties as Jim Hamilton gets bored and decides to concede.

Also, the commentary announced with the team seems to have confirmed that Hugh Blake is going to be a Glasgow player next season, in case anyone was still unsure.

Very experimental team indeed, overall the pack doesn't look too bad, the back row is certainly going to be very mobile and compete at the breakdown. This is one of Irelands biggest area of attack so hopefully having 2 opensides will cause Ireland problems and disrupt their usual source of quick ball.

The backs I'm not convinced by, mostly around the back 3. The only time I have seen Jackson play FB was for Ayr years ago when he couldn't get a game at 10 because of Frazier Climmo.

Disappointed McInally has had to pull out as was looking forward to seeing him get a run about. Intrigued to see how Rob Harley goes if he comes on at Lock as think he is probably a stone underweight.
Not going to be much impact in the backs I don't think.
I think Dougie Fifes chances are definitely 0 of making the world cup squad now he hasn't got a spot on the bench. I'm surprised their using Weir on the bench instead of a back 3 player since they have Jackson and Horne already who can cover 10.

If Maitland isn't fit then there isn't really anyone else!

I suspect Tonks will move to 15 if required.

Majestic83 wrote:Very experimental team indeed, overall the pack doesn't look too bad, the back row is certainly going to be very mobile and compete at the breakdown. This is one of Irelands biggest area of attack so hopefully having 2 opensides will cause Ireland problems and disrupt their usual source of quick ball.

The backs I'm not convinced by, mostly around the back 3. The only time I have seen Jackson play FB was for Ayr years ago when he couldn't get a game at 10 because of Frazier Climmo.

Disappointed McInally has had to pull out as was looking forward to seeing him get a run about. Intrigued to see how Rob Harley goes if he comes on at Lock as think he is probably a stone underweight.
Not going to be much impact in the backs I don't think.
I think Dougie Fifes chances are definitely 0 of making the world cup squad now he hasn't got a spot on the bench. I'm surprised their using Weir on the bench instead of a back 3 player since they have Jackson and Horne already who can cover 10.

Yep. Things will get very interesting if either of the starting wingers has to come off. Scott to centre, Vernon to wing?

After digesting the fact we will have Jackson at 15 can someone please tell me why we have Lamont on the wing. People mock Cuthbert's speed but Lamont.... he wasn't fast even when he was younger!

Another easy win Ireland I think. We won't have full 1st team out, but whatever we bring should beat this team.

An international class front row and scrum half... and that is about it.

How many of this team will actually make the 31? My uneducated guess would be 6 from the 1st 15 at best. maybe 2 starters?

Sorry for being harsh lads...

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:After digesting the fact we will have Jackson at 15 can someone please tell me why we have Lamont on the wing. People mock Cuthbert's speed but Lamont.... he wasn't fast even when he was younger!

He's so good at getting angry when we lose though!

When is the irish side announced?

RDW_Scotland wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:After digesting the fact we will have Jackson at 15 can someone please tell me why we have Lamont on the wing. People mock Cuthbert's speed but Lamont.... he wasn't fast even when he was younger!

He's so good at getting angry when we lose though!

Think he was picked because of that? Because a Loss is a forgone conclusion. Our back 3 consists of a has-been a fly half and someone who can't tackle.

Get the ball out wide and we will be beaten soundly.

the-goon wrote:Another easy win Ireland I think. We won't have full 1st team out, but whatever we bring should beat this team.

An international class front row and scrum half... and that is about it.

How many of this team will actually make the 31? My uneducated guess would be 6 from the 1st 15 at best. maybe 2 starters?

Sorry for being harsh lads...

Nope, that sounds about right.

The other thing Ireland fans should note now is that nobody in that starting 15 is a regular goalkicker for their club, with the possible exception of the Mighty Rhubarb. Who has not played a game since last September. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

So, Blake's 7. As long as Hagrid doesn't wear any of Servillan's dresses that's ok. ( A joke for some of our more mature readers)

Looking at that selection I can hear the telephone conversation,

"Gregor, Vern here. Are you using the Tombola this week? Just we've got a space on top of the sideboard where we wanted to put the Calcutta Cup and we thought it might look nice there. Just for the week like, see how it looks."

Jackson at 10 can mean a number of things;
NoMaits is not going to be fit and VC wants a back up 15 who will run the ball back,
Meatball will be the second choice 10 and VC wants to see if he can slot Jackson in somewhere,
Samoa like bringing the blindside winger into the 10-12 channel from scrums and Tonks will be used to defend that
OR
VC possesses a hitherto unsuspected sense of the ridiculous.

Also, Mr Chinhook was not in the 25 so is McInally injured?

Blair Cowan, loses captaincy to Henners and 7 jersey to a fourteen your old in the same game: shoogly peg time?

I can't wait. I feel that we may be watching through fingers held in front of our eyes, and from behind the sofa, but it'll be interesting.

At least the bench looks strong...

It looks a half-decent team. Does seem to be a B team, so the back-row for the crunch games could be a bit of a surprise.

I think Tonks does need an opportunity to show his potential at fly-half (I think he's more suited at inside centre though) but Jackson is going to have his work cut out. The Irish love their kicking game, he's going to get a ton of high balls and kicks to the corner.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:After digesting the fact we will have Jackson at 15 can someone please tell me why we have Lamont on the wing. People mock Cuthbert's speed but Lamont.... he wasn't fast even when he was younger!

He's so good at getting angry when we lose though!

Think he was picked because of that? Because a Loss is a forgone conclusion. Our back 3 consists of a has-been a fly half and someone who can't tackle.

Get the ball out wide and we will be beaten soundly.

Indeed. On one wing an aged Sean, the other Turnstile Tim. And poor Jackson at full back who'll try his best to cover, but will be found out in a footrace.

Anyone know who will be goal kicking? I imagine it will be Prygos?

Goal kicking? We'll run every penalty and all tries will be under the posts so Batman, and then the Mighty Coo, will backheel the conversions over.
As Rab C no doubt advised VC.

Seems fairly obvious that Cotter has orchestrated a straight shoot-out between Jackson and Tonks - i.e. can Jackson cover 15 better than Tonks can cover 10?

"There can be only one"... highlander.

Nematode wrote:Anyone know who will be goal kicking? I imagine it will be Prygos?

Ritchie V, of course!

The day I realised Sean Lamont was too slow for international rugby.. When Sean maitland ran 80 meters vs Aus and offloaded to Lamont who, had he been any other Scottish winger, would have scored in the corner

I expected an experimental B side team so not surprised, and Vern is obviously giving some of these players a chance to prove him wrong and push for a spot in the 31 man squad. Sean Lamont, Hamilton, Jackson, Vernon, Blake, I think all these guys need to perform well to have a chance in the squad. Visser will be on thin ice too I suspect..

http://www.irishrugby.ie/live_streaming.php

Live stream to Ireland team announcement. (Announced in about 2 minutes)

Looking at the positives, that is a muckle front 5 - Ireland are going to be worked hard in the set piece. Especially lineout where both Hamilton and Gilchrist run a lineout very well.

It is a very athletic back the so there shouldn't be any problems getting round the park.

We finally get to see what Tonks can do at 10 at international level.

Ditto Richie Vernon

Visser and Lamont will know they aren't first choice - they aren't going to have many opportunities to prove otherwise.

Matt Scott returns - let's hope he's actually fit enough.

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Scotland, Guinness Summer Series, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, August 15th, 5pm)

15. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Jared Payne (Ulster)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
9. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)

8. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) capt
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
6. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
5. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster)
1. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Replacements
16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
17. Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Connacht)*
19. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
23. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

That is a much stronger team than they put out last week.

Could be messy!

RDW_Scotland wrote:That is a much stronger team than they put out last week.

Could be messy!

In some ways it is, more established first teamers starting. But its more experimental in that some of them are out of position (Zebo at 15, O'Brien at 8) and as you said come scrum time that tight 5 is not strong without Healy or McGrath at 1.

Oh.... christ.


Well if this Scotland team can stay within 20 points of that Ireland team, and maybe score a try or two, we'll call that a mild success.

Artful_Dodger wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:That is a much stronger team than they put out last week.

Could be messy!

In some ways it is, more established first teamers starting.  But its more experimental in that some of them are out of position (Zebo at 15, O'Brien at 8) and as you said come scrum time that tight 5 is not strong without Healy or McGrath at 1.

Zebo at 15 and O'Brien at 8??

That's nothing compared to a 7 at 6, a 15 at 10, a 10 at 15 and an 8 (technically) at 13!

RDW_Scotland wrote:
IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Scotland, Guinness Summer Series, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, August 15th, 5pm)

15. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)
14. Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)
13. Jared Payne (Ulster)
12. Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11. Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock/Leinster)
10. Ian Madigan (Blackrock/Leinster)
9. Isaac Boss (Terenure/Leinster)

8. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) capt
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)
6. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*
5. Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
2. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster)
1. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Replacements
16. Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)
17. Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster)
18. Nathan White (Connacht)*
19. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21. Eoin Reddan (Old Crescent/Leinster)
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)
23. Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Oh dear.

Glad I'm going to miss this game now

RDW_Scotland wrote:Looking at the positives, that is a muckle front 5 - Ireland are going to be worked hard in the set piece. Especially lineout where both Hamilton and Gilchrist run a lineout very well.

It is a very athletic back the so there shouldn't be any problems getting round the park.

We finally get to see what Tonks can do at 10 at international level.

Ditto Richie Vernon

Visser and Lamont will know they aren't first choice - they aren't going to have many opportunities to prove otherwise.

Matt Scott returns - let's hope he's actually fit enough.

I would say our front 5 are at least as good, if not better. I will be surprised if either set-piece struggles on their own ball. Our backrow is a bit experimental but still it's 3 big mobile lads, and 2 will cause havoc at the breakdown. Our half backs aren't great (9 is muck), but those outside back should cause some serious damage on sat.

If I'm being bold, another 40-10ish win is on the cards. probs closer to 35-14.

I don't think this team is as strong overall as last week - compare the teams (Scotland first):

15. Zebo v Jones = draw (Zebo hasn't played 15 in yonks, but let's hope the experiment works )
14. Bowe v Trimble = Wales
13. Payne v Earls = Scots
12. D'Arcy v Cave = draw (Darce is fading but Cave is shy of Test class)
11. Fitzgerald v McFadden = Scots
10. Madigan v Jackson = Wales
9. Boss v Reddan = Wales

8. O'Brien v Heaslip = Wales
7. Henry v O'Donnell = draw
6. Conan v Murphy = Wales
5. Tuohy v Henderson = draw
4. Toner v Ryan = Scots
3. Ross v Ross = draw
2. Cronin v Strauss = draw (Strauss was ahead of Cronin pre-injury and looks o have regained some form)
1. Kilcoyne v McGrath = Wales

Replacements
16. Strauss v Best = Wales
17. Bent v Kilcoyne = Wales
18. White v Bent = Scots
19. O'Connell v Tuohy = Scots
20. Murphy v Henry = draw
21. Reddan v Marmion = Scots
22. Jackson v Madigan = Wales
23. Kearney v Zebo = Wales

Overall: 9 Wales, 7 Scots, 7 Drawn
Forwards: 3 Wales, 1 Scots, 4 Drawn (bench 2;2;1)
Backs: 3 Wales, 2 Scots, 2 Drawn (bench 2;1;0)

According to my completely random rating of current form, Provincial and Test pecking orders, and familiarity with the selected shirt - some of the calls are very marginal but it's only a bit of fun. I make the team against Wales marginally stronger both in forwards and backs. I have also included the anomaly of assessing Jackson as a better starter than Madigan, but Madigan better off the bench as an impact player.

It's good to see Schmidt mixing up his teams to have a blend of probables and possibles.

stuff going to the pub to watch this one!

That Ireland team is pretty much, argueably, first choice with maybe 2 or 3 exceptions

Scotland have maybe one first xv player out there - and even he is argueable!

I know its a warm up game, but we don't want to totally ruin the young guys we're sending out! It looks like Vern has put out a team of players he wants to get injured so he doesnt have to drop them for the world cup!

I think the team against Wales was slightly stronger too, but I'm very happy to see Zebo at fullback. Tommy Bowe and Gordon D'Arcy are both established players but I think they both need massive games here to dispel some of the doubts gathering over their form. As does Tuohy, after the way Ryan performed against Wales, and Sean Cronin who watched Strauss and Best play superbly in Cardiff.

O'Brian IMO is a fantastic 8. That big lump picking up from the base of the scrum.... ouch.

tigertattie wrote:stuff going to the pub to watch this one!

That Ireland team is pretty much, argueably, first choice with maybe 2 or 3 exceptions

For me, the only first choice players in the Ireland team would be; Jared Payne at 13, Devin Toner at 4 and Mike Ross at 3. With Sean O'Brien being first choice at 7 but not 8. It's another fairly experimental team but I think the relative success of the provincial teams means that Ireland just have better strength in depth than Scotland and Wales. I think Ireland are experimenting just as much as Scotland its just that the drop-off in quality between our first choice and our second choices and third choices is negligible.