Ireland and Scotland collide at the Rugby World Cup in a key Pool B showdown in Paris this weekend.
It’s do or die for Gregor Townsend’s side, with victory a must if they are to reach the quarter-finals in a dramatic conclusion to the tournament’s toughest group.
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Scotland know they must beat Ireland and ensure that Andy Farrell’s men do not snatch a bonus point, meaning they would go through as runners-up in the pool on head to head behind defending champions South Africa, likely then facing hosts France in the last eight.
There are more convoluted scenarios and permutations that could play out, though Ireland need only two points to go through as group winners and tee up a likely collision with the All Blacks.
Scotland routed Romania last weekend to keep their knockout hopes alive, though downing a top-ranked Ireland team that have had a fortnight’s break since their epic, bruising win over the misfiring Springboks is a very tall order indeed.
Both sides have rightly rubbished any talk of colluding to both go through at South Africa’s expense this weekend.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Ireland vs Scotland takes place on Saturday October 7, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.
The game will be held at the Stade de France in Paris.
Where to watch Ireland vs Scotland
TV channel: In the UK, Ireland vs Scotland is being broadcast live via free-to-air channel ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7:15pm.
Live stream: The ITVX website and app is the place to catch all the action for free as it unfolds line online.
Live blog: Standard Sport will bring you minute-by-minute coverage on the night with our dedicated live match blog.
Ireland vs Scotland team news
As revealed by forwards coach Paul O’Connell on Wednesday, Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw has been battling a hamstring issue and it is one that keeps him out of this match.
Henshaw missed the tournament opener against Romania but was able to return and come off the bench in the wins over Tonga and South Africa. Stuart McCloskey or Keith Earls replaces him in the squad this weekend, with Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose the starting midfield pairing.
Iain Henderson gets the nod over James Ryan at lock, while Dan Sheehan comes in for Ronan Kelleher.
Scotland have captain Jamie Ritchie back in their ranks after his head injury suffered against Tonga, with Edinburgh team-mate Grant Gilchrist having skippered the side against Romania in his absence.
Ali Price is preferred to Ben White, while Blair Kinghorn starts at full-back for his 50th international cap. Darcy Graham, who scored four tries against Romania, has done enough to keep his place in the side.
Ireland vs Scotland lineups
Ireland XV: Keenan; M Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Beirne, Henderson; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Murray, Crowley, McCloskey
Scotland XV: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, Price; Schoeman, Turner, Fagerson, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Nel, Cummings, Fagerson, Crosbie, Horne, Smith
Ireland vs Scotland referee
The referee for Saturday night’s showdown will be Australia’s Nic Berry, assisted by touch judges Jordan Way and Wayne Barnes, plus TMO Brett Cronan.
Ireland vs Scotland prediction
This is absolutely must-win territory for Scotland to avoid an early exit and I have no doubt that they will leave everything out on the field in Paris.
But they’ve got a woeful recent record against Ireland and it is so hard to see how they get the job done here, such is the awesome strength of the world’s No1 side and Six Nations Grand Slam winners.
The confidence already soaring through the Irish camp will have been given another sizable boost by that ultra-physical win over the Boks and they will want to make completely sure of their place as Pool B winners with another confident victory in the French capital.
Ireland have shockingly never previously been past the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but this is feeling more and more like their year with every passing week.
Ireland to win without a bonus point.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
These two nations are obviously very familiar opponents and meet in the Six Nations every year. 12 of the last 13 games have been won by Ireland, including the last eight in a row.
Ireland won 22-7 at Murrayfield en route to a Six Nations Grand Slam in March, while they also brushed Scotland aside at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Ireland wins: 69
Scotland wins: 66
Draws: 5
Ireland vs Scotland latest odds
Ireland to win: 1/5
Scotland to win: 5/1
Draw: 33/1
