6N 2017: Scotland v Ireland, 4 February

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SCOTLAND v IRELAND 
4 February 2017
KO: 14:25
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) and Nick Briant (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand

Live on BBC, RTE, DMAX, FR2, ITV (H)

A. Head to Head

132 Played 132
66 Won 61 
5 Drawn 5
61 Lost 66
1,380 Points 1,475

B. Recent Form

19 March 2016
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
35 – 25 to Ireland

15 August 2015
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
28 – 22 to Ireland

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

SCOTLAND 

15-Stuart Hogg; 14-Sean Maitland, 13-Huw Jones, 12-Alex Dunbar, 11-Tommy Seymour; 10-Finn Russell, 9-Greig Laidlaw (capt); 1-Allan Dell, 2-Fraser Brown, 3-Zander Fagerson, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Jonny Gray, 6-Ryan Wilson, 7-Hamish Watson, 8-Josh Strauss

Replacements: 16-Ross Ford, 17-Gordon Reid, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Tim Swinson, 20-John Barclay, 21-Ali Price, 22-Duncan Weir, 23-Mark Bennett

IRELAND

15-Rob Kearney; 14-Keith Earls, 13-Robbie Henshaw, 12-Garry Ringrose, 11-Simon Zebo; 10-Paddy Jackson, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Jack McGrath, 2-Rory Best (captain), 3-Tadhg Furlong, 4-Iain Henderson, 5-Devin Toner, 6-CJ Stander, 7-Sean O'Brien, 8-Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: 16-Niall Scannell, 17-Cian Healy, 18-John Ryan, 19-Ultan Dillane, 20-Josh van der Flier, 21-Kieran Marmion, 22-Ian Keatley, 23-Tommy Bowe.

What would be the likely Scotland XV. I'd say the front 5 (actually not too sure about your props), halves and back 3 pick themselves. But who do you pick the backrow and centres? Some really good options.

1. Reid
2. Ford
3. Fagerson
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Barclay?
7. Watson?
8. Wilson?
9. Laidlaw
10. Russell
11. Maitland
12. Dunbar?
13. Jones?
14. Seymour
15. Hogg

I think Dell will start at LH not Reid, remember VC dropped him right out of the squad in the autumn and had Allen on the bench. Reid has certainly got the nod at Glasgow just now, but I still think bench is best he can hope for.

Its the centres and the back row that provide the dilemmas for Scotland selection and fortunately they are generally good dilemmas as we have a lot of good players in those positions.

I think Dunbar has to start at 12 and I suspect Jones will be at 13, one of Bennett or Taylor may bench, potentially both if he decides to let Hogg cover FH.

Back row is even harder. Strauss has really come into form and I think may well start. Then we have either Wilson/Barclay or Watson/Hardie. I would probably go for Barclay and Watson, but would not lose much sleep over any other combo. I think we may well see CDP coming off the bench to make his debut and is he plays well could be starting by the end of the tournament.

BigGee wrote:I think Dell will start at LH not Reid, remember VC dropped him right out of the squad in the autumn and had Allen on the bench. Reid has certainly got the nod at Glasgow just now, but I still think bench is best he can hope for.

Its the centres and the back row that provide the dilemmas for Scotland selection and fortunately they are generally good dilemmas as we have a lot of good players in those positions.

I think Dunbar has to start at 12 and I suspect Jones will be at 13, one of Bennett or Taylor may bench, potentially both if he decides to let Hogg cover FH.

Back row is even harder. Strauss has really come into form and I think may well start. Then we have either Wilson/Barclay or Watson/Hardie. I would probably go for Barclay and Watson, but would not lose much sleep over any other combo. I think we may well see CDP coming off the bench to make his debut and is he plays well could be starting by the end of the tournament.

Agree with this.

I noticed Jon Welsh played for Newcastle at the weekend, perhaps that means he won't be picked for this match in which case Berghan looks like he'll be on the bench which is a bit of a surprise.

EWT Spoons wrote:

BigGee wrote:I think Dell will start at LH not Reid, remember VC dropped him right out of the squad in the autumn and had Allen on the bench. Reid has certainly got the nod at Glasgow just now, but I still think bench is best he can hope for.

Its the centres and the back row that provide the dilemmas for Scotland selection and fortunately they are generally good dilemmas as we have a lot of good players in those positions.

I think Dunbar has to start at 12 and I suspect Jones will be at 13, one of Bennett or Taylor may bench, potentially both if he decides to let Hogg cover FH.

Back row is even harder. Strauss has really come into form and I think may well start. Then we have either Wilson/Barclay or Watson/Hardie. I would probably go for Barclay and Watson, but would not lose much sleep over any other combo. I think we may well see CDP coming off the bench to make his debut and is he plays well could be starting by the end of the tournament.

Agree with this.

So

6. Barclay
7. Watson
8. Strauss

and as you were with the centres. It would be a big risk to have Hogg as FH cover, I wouldn't do it personally as you stiffle your main attacking threat and play him somewhere where he hasn't played in 4 years (and that wasn't a great success).  

It's a good Backrow, but they will need to have the game of their lives, as I think Ireland as better man for man in this position. Any of Heaslip, Van Der Flier, SOB, POM and CJ would start for Scotland.

I really think this game is going to be decided by the bench!

Ali Price could come on with 10 to go and ignite the spark within Russell and Scotland could get two late tries.

Just as possible though is Tim Swinson to come on and get yellow carded after 2 mins

MacKnocked-on wrote:I noticed Jon Welsh played for Newcastle at the weekend, perhaps that means he won't be picked for this match in which case Berghan looks like he'll be on the bench which is a bit of a surprise.

I would be surprised if JW is not second choice TH.

There is not much that can be done to stop AP or French sides picking their Scottish players for these games if they want to. The players only have to be released for the international weekends themselves. I am just glad he did not drown in that game, did you see the state of the pitch, I am really surprised that it was played at all.

the-goon wrote:It would be a big risk to have Hogg as FH cover, I wouldn't do it personally as you stiffle your main attacking threat and play him somewhere where he hasn't played in 4 years (and that wasn't a great success).  

He actually played FH for Glasgow a few weeks ago. Partly to give Finn a rest and Glasgow are a bit light on FH cover atm. It did however look suspiciously like a try out for exactly this sort of scenario.

Hoggy did ok and could certainly provide the cover if required. Finn Russell is only going to get replaced if he gets injured in any case. Playing Maitland or Jones at FB for part of the match is probably a better scenario for us than playing Weir at FH.

BigGee wrote:

the-goon wrote:It would be a big risk to have Hogg as FH cover, I wouldn't do it personally as you stiffle your main attacking threat and play him somewhere where he hasn't played in 4 years (and that wasn't a great success).  

He actually played FH for Glasgow a few weeks ago. Partly to give Finn a rest and Glasgow are a bit light on FH cover atm. It did however look suspiciously like a try out for exactly this sort of scenario.

Hoggy did ok and could certainly provide the cover if required. Finn Russell is only going to get replaced if he gets injured in any case. Playing Maitland or Jones at FB for part of the match is probably a better scenario for us than playing Weir at FH.

Ha, so Weir is that bad. A lot rests on Russell then.

BigGee wrote:

the-goon wrote:It would be a big risk to have Hogg as FH cover, I wouldn't do it personally as you stiffle your main attacking threat and play him somewhere where he hasn't played in 4 years (and that wasn't a great success).  

He actually played FH for Glasgow a few weeks ago. Partly to give Finn a rest and Glasgow are a bit light on FH cover atm. It did however look suspiciously like a try out for exactly this sort of scenario.

Hoggy did ok and could certainly provide the cover if required. Finn Russell is only going to get replaced if he gets injured in any case. Playing Maitland or Jones at FB for part of the match is probably a better scenario for us than playing Weir at FH.

I am trying to think of a scenario that could be classed as worst then that....

Nope, nothing, zilch

Marcus Di Rollo playing at fly half with Graeme Morrison at scrum half?

Given that poor substitutions in the last 20 mins or so have often cost us matches over the years I would rather Hogg was the reserve 10 as that would mean we could accommodate another of our better players (Taylor, Scott or Bennett) on the bench rather than Weir. We should be able to provide an attacking threat for the full 80 if possible.

tigertattie wrote:Marcus Di Rollo playing at fly half with Graeme Morrison at scrum half?

Close, but there are no Weir

.....

anyone got an espn fantasy league going for the 6ns?

BigGee wrote:I think Dell will start at LH not Reid, remember VC dropped him right out of the squad in the autumn and had Allen on the bench. Reid has certainly got the nod at Glasgow just now, but I still think bench is best he can hope for.

I'm a bit concerned about our front row against the Irish. Furlong has jumped to World Class status quicker than most Irish players, and our loosehead options present two opposites: Reid is big with little technique, and Dell is little with big technique. To quote The Donald, we could get bigly mashed in the scrum. We could really use Nel and Dickinson to be fit - I'd have so much more confidence if we had those two in the front row.

Not much Cotter can do about this, I suspect he'll start with Dell and use Reid to give away critical penalties in the last quarter.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

BigGee wrote:I think Dell will start at LH not Reid, remember VC dropped him right out of the squad in the autumn and had Allen on the bench. Reid has certainly got the nod at Glasgow just now, but I still think bench is best he can hope for.

I'm a bit concerned about our front row against the Irish. Furlong has jumped to World Class status quicker than most Irish players, and our loosehead options present two opposites: Reid is big with little technique, and Dell is little with big technique. To quote The Donald, we could get bigly mashed in the scrum. We could really use Nel and Dickinson to be fit - I'd have so much more confidence if we had those two in the front row.

Not much Cotter can do about this, I suspect he'll start with Dell and use Reid to give away critical penalties in the last quarter.

Agree - I am pooping myself that the whole match will be reduced to death via scrum penalties with the Karate Kid smacking everything into the corners. 

If you were picking on form along, then McGrath - Best - Furlong could be the Lions starting front row. 

We just need to keep the ball the feic away from scrums. What could possibly go wrong?

George Carlin wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

BigGee wrote:I think Dell will start at LH not Reid, remember VC dropped him right out of the squad in the autumn and had Allen on the bench. Reid has certainly got the nod at Glasgow just now, but I still think bench is best he can hope for.

I'm a bit concerned about our front row against the Irish. Furlong has jumped to World Class status quicker than most Irish players, and our loosehead options present two opposites: Reid is big with little technique, and Dell is little with big technique. To quote The Donald, we could get bigly mashed in the scrum. We could really use Nel and Dickinson to be fit - I'd have so much more confidence if we had those two in the front row.

Not much Cotter can do about this, I suspect he'll start with Dell and use Reid to give away critical penalties in the last quarter.

Agree - I am pooping myself that the whole match will be reduced to death via scrum penalties with the Karate Kid smacking everything into the corners. 

If you were picking on form along, then McGrath - Best - Furlong could be the Lions starting front row. 

We just need to keep the ball the feic away from scrums. What could possibly go wrong?

Well you're goosed then, our backs have rubbish hands....

Huw Jones has been passed fit to play on Saturday.

That is great news. Dunbar/Jones centre partnership?

He may have been passed fit but hasn't played since November!

That doesn't stop some people putting Nel in the Lions team.

A few star jumps and burpees and he'll be good to go.

Sexton's out

RDW_Scotland wrote:He may have been passed fit but hasn't played since November!

Guess he's due a run out then

GLove39 wrote:Sexton's out

Saw that. Oh well. Paddy Jackson will have to step it up.

And pom is out too

carpet baboon wrote:And pom is out too

Whats wrong with POM?

Not sure yet it was a breaking news headlines e on BBC sport

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

GLove39 wrote:Sexton's out

Saw that. Oh well. Paddy Jackson will have to step it up.

Jackson has been running 10 in all the training sessions building up so he'll be well prepared for it and is a good player - I don't think this weakens Ireland too much. And let's face it they must be used to playing without Sexton now!

Poms hamstring

Trimble a major doubt too. Groin

Jackson can control a game really well but his place kicking of late has been bloody dire at times. That being said I have absolutely no worries about the Ginger Prince lining up for this match. POM would have had a fight on his hands for a place in the backrow anyway as we're more than well stocked there.

Three training ground injuries.

POM is interviewing Gatty for Lions captaincy.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f37/16/53/77/41/inpho_10.jpg

but the question everyone wants to know is how many scrum halves do Ireland have lined up?

Sin é wrote:Three training ground injuries.

POM is interviewing Gatty for Lions captaincy.

https://i.servimg.com/u/f37/16/53/77/41/inpho_10.jpg

Is it just me or is POM thinking " who's this tramp looking fella"

Pete330v2 wrote:Jackson can control a game really well but his place kicking of late has been bloody dire at times. That being said I have absolutely no worries about the Ginger Prince lining up for this match. POM would have had a fight on his hands for a place in the backrow anyway as we're more than well stocked there.

I do remember with fondness his performance the last time we beat Ireland at home in the 6N! He was young and inexperienced then though.

So is that Scannell guaranteed a bench spot to cover 10? Or has Keatley/Madigan been drafted in?

Pete330v2 wrote:Jackson can control a game really well but his place kicking of late has been bloody dire at times. That being said I have absolutely no worries about the Ginger Prince lining up for this match. POM would have had a fight on his hands for a place in the backrow anyway as we're more than well stocked there.

Paddy's place kicking and territory kicking is not as good as Sexton's but I think he is actually a better controller of the backline than Sexton. Sexton is still a big loss but not as damaging as, say, 2 years ago. Not sure Keatley coming in as back up is a good option. Think I would have preferred Madigan.

Bang on about POM, he was not going to start ahead of CJ at 6 and I doubt that Heaslip would have been dropped to the bench so no real disruption there.

Still the makings of a very good forward and backline balance.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Jackson can control a game really well but his place kicking of late has been bloody dire at times. That being said I have absolutely no worries about the Ginger Prince lining up for this match. POM would have had a fight on his hands for a place in the backrow anyway as we're more than well stocked there.

I do remember with fondness his performance the last time we beat Ireland at home in the 6N! He was young and inexperienced then though.

Yeah, the kid is only roughly at the age now (after quite a slice of International) that Sexton was when he was starting his Ireland career. What a curious world. It feels like Jackson has been around forever

Yeah Im not that concerned with Jackson stepping up.

Out of interest what are the Irish press saying about this game? Are they expecting much resistance from Scotland?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Out of interest what are the Irish press saying about this game? Are they expecting much resistance from Scotland?

Eddie O'Sullivan reckons that if Ireland play to their ability they will win comfortably. If they play 10% below par they will lose. Standard stuff really.

http://www.the42.ie/the-42-rugby-show-eddie-osullivan-3213612-Jan2017/

Neil Francis Ireland's regular sh1t stirrer reckons "Scotland could be tricky but you just sense that they will come up short against Ireland"

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/neil-francis-schmidts-ability-to-think-his-way-out-of-trouble-can-steer-ireland-to-grand-slam-35405855.html

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Out of interest what are the Irish press saying about this game? Are they expecting much resistance from Scotland?

Eddie O'Sullivan reckons that if Ireland play to their ability they will win comfortably. If they play 10% below par they will lose. Standard stuff really.

http://www.the42.ie/the-42-rugby-show-eddie-osullivan-3213612-Jan2017/

Neil Francis Ireland's regular sh1t stirrer reckons "Scotland could be tricky but you just sense that they will come up short against Ireland"

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/neil-francis-schmidts-ability-to-think-his-way-out-of-trouble-can-steer-ireland-to-grand-slam-35405855.html

All fair comments and nothing overly controversial then!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Out of interest what are the Irish press saying about this game? Are they expecting much resistance from Scotland?

Not sure they're too focused on next weeks game against Italy.

St Fintans playing a blinder against Clongowes in the Leinster SCT. Great game.

22-22 with 15 minutes left.

It just occurred to me that this is the last 6N for some time when we Scottish posters will be able to luxuriate in the security of being 90-95% correct in our team predictions. Jamesie Cotter has always been consistent; even bafflingly so in the case of Grant "No, me neither" Gilchrist. Toonie however...

"Ireland vs Scotland - Lansdowne Road (AKA the Arreeba stadium) 2017

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is set to give an unknown Fijian scrum half who had a granny that visited Ayr once his international debut. Townsend is also resting the in form centre Huw Jones and Ritchie Vernon is making his much delayed return to international duties in his place.

We asked if Jones would return next week and Gregor just shook his bag of balls and said "who knows?"

rodders wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Out of interest what are the Irish press saying about this game? Are they expecting much resistance from Scotland?

Not sure they're too focused on next weeks game against Italy.

Rodders is the kind of Irish fan that you have to sit on at games.....

tigertattie wrote:anyone got an espn fantasy league going for the 6ns?

We've got a league at work. I don't know if there's a 606v2 league.

tigertattie wrote:"Ireland vs Scotland - Lansdowne Road (AKA the Arreeba stadium) 2017

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is set to give an unknown Fijian scrum half who had a granny that visited Ayr once his international debut.  Townsend is also resting the in form centre Huw Jones and Ritchie Vernon is making his much delayed return to international duties in his place.

We asked if Jones would return next week and Gregor just shook his bag of balls and said "who knows?"

Is it worth pointing out that the season Glasgow won the league Horne-Vernon appeared in the centre more often than any other pairing, and had the best win %?

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:"Ireland vs Scotland - Lansdowne Road (AKA the Arreeba stadium) 2017

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is set to give an unknown Fijian scrum half who had a granny that visited Ayr once his international debut.  Townsend is also resting the in form centre Huw Jones and Ritchie Vernon is making his much delayed return to international duties in his place.

We asked if Jones would return next week and Gregor just shook his bag of balls and said "who knows?"

Is it worth pointing out that the season Glasgow won the league Horne-Vernon appeared in the centre more often than any other pairing, and had the best win %?

Come on you know statistical based facts have no place on 606v2. If people start using them it will be chaos