Key occasions
42 min: Ireland look to run the ball with some early possession within the second half after Scotland cough up a penalty. A advantageous hit by Tuipulotu on Sexton, although, brings a scrum put-in for Scotland after the Irish work by means of a couple of attacking phases.
The form of the sport is pointing at a gallant failure for Scotland, with Ireland narrowly forward on the scoreboard … however will Townsend’s gamers settle for that, this time?
Second half kick-off!
Here we go. A giant, massive 40 minutes awaits.
Half time! Scotland 7-8 Ireland
Scotland get the lineout proper, throwing to the again, and spin the ball by means of the palms … once more it’s a assured, crisp sequence of passes and it threatens to open up the Irish defence … however no. This defensive effort by Ireland is one thing particular, and so they stand agency once more. A really, very entertaining half of rugby. See you in a couple of.
38 min: A late scrum within the first half sees Ireland get the higher of the set piece. But Scotland win the ball, and but once more they work by means of some phases with the ball in hand, attempting to punch a gap or two within the Ireland defensive position. They win a penalty, and Russell will kick for the nook, regardless of the clock being within the pink. An enormous probability for Scotland with an attacking lineout from about eight metres from the Irish try-line.
“Imagine my panic when finding out I had to travel to North Carolina for work today, as a die hard Scotland fan with the potential for huge success this Six Nations,” emails William. “I’m currently 36,000 feet in the air, with no way to watch or listen to this game live … If you’re picturing a man frantically refreshing the web page every 10 seconds … I’m that guy.”
Glad to be of service.
35 min: Into the ultimate 5 minutes of the half and that is warming up very, very properly certainly. Scotland look to run the ball from their very own 22, once more trying to preserve the ball within the palms and sticking to their plan of constructing this a sport of evasion quite than collision. Russell has been good at fly-half however has but to provide a second of his good finest. The Irish workforce is so sturdy, alternatively, that it’ll take one thing particular for Scotland to win it.
31 min: Now Scotland practically land one other telling blow … Russell dances into area within the Ireland 22 and flicks a cross to Van der Merwe, who threatens the try-line at full tempo, however a wonderful sort out by Keenan brings him to floor. Van der Merwe is remoted and is penalised for holding on. The TV director switches to a shot of Farrell celebrating that good sort out as if Ireland have simply scored a attempt. It was a beautiful problem and no mistake, a particular try-saver.
Try! 27 min: Scotland 7-8 Ireland (Hansen)
An outstanding end. That was your archetypal case of incomes the proper to go extensive. Some crushing Irish carries softened up the Scotland defence down the center, and acquired the area for Hansen to use a fairly excellent end because of a advantageous lengthy cross from Keenan. There was a query over grounding and maybe over a foot in contact, however Hansen passes the take a look at on each counts in the course of the TMO examine.
Sexton mishits the very difficult conversion barely, attempting to bend it contained in the right-hand put up, however the ball doesn’t come again sufficient within the air. It’s a five-point rating and a one-point sport.
27 min: Ireland assault and Hansen tries to steal in on the nook! But I feel he’s compelled right into a contact and it’s no attempt … Was it a no-arms sort out by Van der Merwe? Did he get the ball down? It appears he did, in actual fact!
24 min: Sexton sends a artful grubber into the Scotland in-goal space. Van der Merwe chases again, underneath strain from Lowe, and manages to dot it down for a goal-line drop out, though there was a second of hesitation and a nervous roar from the gang in consequence.
22 min: The first scrum of the match leads to a free-kick for Scotland. “Too much, Ireland,” says Luke Pearce, the referee, in awarding the free kick to Scotland. True to type, Scotland get the ball shifting shortly once more: they’re actually aiming to wear down this Irish defence with a relentless operating sport, and the bonus is that it’s superb to observe.
20 min: Now an enormous turnover from Scotland with Farrell’s males trying to hit again instantly. Scotland are enjoying a extremely enticing, high-tempo sport, aiming to negate Ireland’s energy, and it’s all trying rosy proper now. But can they preserve this up for 80 minutes?
Try! 16 min: Scotland 7-3 Ireland (Huw Jones)
Scotland roar ahead once more, the followers pumping up the quantity even louder as their workforce work by means of the phases and preserve the ball shifting, retaining the Irish defence on its toes. Van der Merwe has a dart near the nook on the left wing for Scotland … The Irish defenders impressively preserve choosing themselves as much as preserve tackling. However, they can’t preserve this glorious Scotland workforce out: the ball is shifted again inside and there’s area for this lethal centre partnership, Tuipulotu flicking a well-timed cross off his left hand to Jones. Jones sprints over from quick vary by means of a useful little hole. Really good things from Scotland. The extras are added by Russell.
15 min: Now Scotland have their second. Gregor Townsend’s aspect elevate the quantity at Murrayfield with a concerted assault into the Irish 22. Russell has palms on the ball in a central space however the form of the Irish defence is so good that he appears to expire of concepts. Ireland defend 14 phases with worrying precision from a Scottish standpoint.
Penalty! 12 min: Scotland 0-3 Ireland (Sexton)
The evergreen Sexton slots the kick and Ireland lead. In not such excellent news for the guests, the No 8 Caelan Doris is off injured. Jack Conan comes on in his place.
9 min: Ireland ominously rumble to inside a few metres of the Scotland line, having gained an attacking lineout cleanly, Aki smashing into contact with an enormous carry. Ringrose is dragged down very near the road because the referees performs an extended benefit … then Mack Hansen is present in area out on the Ireland proper, and darts for the nook, however realizing he can’t get there, he hangs up an tried cross to a teammate inside. Scotland steal it, and the referee brings it again for the penalty infringement, which occurred fairly some time in the past.
7 min: The second row Richie Gray has gone off injured for Scotland, which is a blow to say the least. Scott Cummings is on.
Ireland are exerting management on the early phases of the match, thanks partially to the Scottish lineout misfiring on a couple of event.
5 min: Ireland are over the try-line! They steal a ball from a fast Scotland defensive lineout … Caelan Doris grabs the short throw excessive … and Ireland energy over, however the referee Luke Pearce takes it again, as a result of Scotland illegally took the short lineout with a special ball.
“If they want to use a new ball that’s not our problem, sir,” factors out an Ireland participant to the ref. Regardless, Scotland are off the hook.
3 min: Scotland’s passing is good and crisp as they work the ball by means of the palms round midway. Space opens up momentarily for Huw Jones to race over the acquire line on the Scotland left, earlier than being felled by a few Ireland tacklers. Scotland spin the ball again the opposite method and a promising assault ends when Russell produces a barely odd grubber kick down the center to nobody specifically.
1 min: The Scotland No 8, Dempsey, begins off with a meaty hand-off to the face of Mack Hansen from the kick-off. Scotland put boot to ball, Ireland then do the identical, and Russell takes a mark, earlier than hammering a deep clearing kick for contact into the Irish half.
First half kick-off!
Sexton kicks off for Ireland.
We are seconds away from kick-off. Exciting occasions.
On the event of his fiftieth cap, Garry Ringrose leads the Ireland workforce out. The groups are out on the pitch, and a few stirring strings are the prelude to the anthems.
Gerard Meagher
With Ireland probably ready to clinch the Six Nations title and Scotland concentrating on the triple crown, there’s sufficient driving on subsequent weekend’s fixture at Murrayfield with out the necessity to add to the narrative. Still, the following assembly between the 2 sides on the horizon – in Pool B of the 2023 World Cup in October – is unmissable.
Robert Kitson
Even six weeks in the past you’ll have had lengthy odds on Ben White being probably the most pivotal gamers within the Six Nations Championship. Or, certainly, on Scotland beating all the opposite “home nations” in the identical marketing campaign. Aside from their grand slam seasons of 1984 and 1990, the final Scottish standalone triple crown was tucked away earlier than the second world warfare.
“Wouldn’t it make next Saturday more fun if Scotland manage to keep Ireland bonus pointless?” emails ddjstephens.
“Would be enjoyable watching Ireland, France, and Scotland trying to compete for high scorelines in their respective matches against the whipping boys of England, Wales and Italy …”
War horse v wild stallion (copyright John McEnerney)
@LukeMcLaughlin Battle of the ten’s right now Sexton the previous warfare horse & Finn the wild stallion. Ireland’s depth & line velocity would be the key. Head & coronary heart says the boys in inexperienced by double digits
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) March 12, 2023
Yes certainly. This match can and doubtless must be billed because the battle of Russell v Sexton. The significance of a powerful tactical kicking sport was a lot in proof in south-west London yesterday. Who will win it right now? And how a lot expansive stuff will we see when the groups select to not hoof it?
In a uncommon spot of excellent information for the BBC, glorious use of Thundercat’s “Them Changes” on this Sexton interview function. A basic:
The Ireland coach Andy Farrell has a chat with Lee McKenzie on the BBC: “There’s an expectation of what we want to deliver ourselves, today … game day is all about delivering.”
What is the important thing to success right now? “Concentrating on ourselves, being ourselves, taking our game to them … they are playing some fantastic rugby at this moment in time … but there is an expectation on ourselves, first and foremost.
“We expect conditions to be a bit blustery out there, and maybe a spot of rain, but we’ll adapt to that.”
Olive is nervous, however how do you are feeling? Send me an e-mail or perhaps a message on Twitter
I may also settle for messages reflecting on how dreadful England had been in opposition to France, and likewise, how magnificent France had been in opposition to England.
“As an Irish supporter, I am very nervous about this,” emails Olive.
Michael Aylwin
In a not unfamiliar plotline Scotland enter the penultimate spherical of the Six Nations determined for a win. Refreshingly, this time such a outcome would imply not the avoidance of a picket spoon however a tilt at their first championship of the century – a primary Six Nations title, full cease.
Gregor Townsend, the Scotland head coach, is requested how he plans to beat Ireland: “You’ve got to close to your best … you’ve got to win the contact … stop them getting in to ‘phase shape’ and getting confidence from that … and you’ve got to get quick ball … and you’ve got to be consistent right through the 80 minutes.
“They are very cohesive as a team … we feel the England game, and the Wales game, we were ‘in place’ in terms of effort and energy … we want our players to go for it if there are opportunities.
“Stuart Hogg [who wins his 100th cap] has been massive for Scotland … he has been flying at training this week … we really hope it’s a great day for him.”
Teams
The Gray brothers, Jonny and Richie, type the second row for Scotland – Jonny is available in for Grant Gilchrist, who’s suspended. Matt Fagerson switches to No 6, with Jack Dempsey coming in at No 8. Stuart Hogg wins his a hundredth cap.
Johnny Sexton is again at fly-half for Ireland, certainly one of six adjustments: Garry Ringrose, Tadhg Furlong, Conor Murray, Dan Sheehan, Peter O’Mahony are additionally again within the beginning XV.
Scotland: Hogg, Steyn, H Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White, Schoeman, Turner, Fagerson, R Gray, J Gray, Fagerson, Ritchie, Dempsey. Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, Cummings, Watson, Price, Kinghorn, Harris.
Ireland: Keenan, Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe, Sexton, Murray, Porter, Sheehan, Furlong, Henderson, Ryan, O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, O’Toole, Baird, Conan, Gibson-Park, R Byrne, Henshaw.
Preamble
Ireland’s second-round victory in opposition to France in Dublin might but show to be the match of the event, whereas France’s 53-10 destruction of England at Twickenham will certainly present essentially the most jaw-dropping scoreline. Considering what’s at stake, nevertheless, this afternoon’s sport at Murrayfield has the potential to raise this 12 months’s Six Nations to an entire new degree.
Should Scotland win and seal the triple crown, Gregor Townsend’s workforce shall be certainly one of three groups in rivalry for the title subsequent Saturday. An Irish success, alternatively, would put Andy Farrell’s aspect in a commanding place on the prime of the desk earlier than the ultimate spherical, with a probably grand slam-sealing date at house in opposition to England to return.
Can the Scots take their first win in opposition to Ireland since 2017, and within the course of arrange an authentically Super Saturday™? We are about to search out out.
Kick-off: 3pm
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