Looking ahead to Scotland v Ireland
In last week’s game, Scotland beat Italy 29-21 in a thrilling fixture at DAM Health Stadium on Saturday, thanks to five tries from the forwards, and conversions from Helen Nelson on her 50th appearance for Scotland.
Jade Konkel-Roberts, playing second-row rather than her usual number 8, was awarded Player of the Match. This was well deserved as she was outstanding in attack and defence: she carried 19 times, making 95 metres for the team, and made 13 successful tackles, including a dominant one. After the game, Jade said: “A massive thank you to the fans for coming out. It would not be the same without you guys, the noise is just incredible. I could not be any prouder of our team.”
Table possibilities
In first and second place, France and England are uncatchable by any team. Their game will be for the Grand Slam, with the loser coming second.
Scotland are currently in fourth place, five points behind Wales and one point ahead of Italy. This week’s Italy v Wales game could prove important to Scotland’s final position in the table, which could be anywhere between third and sixth.
If Scotland get a bonus point win, they could finish third or fourth.
The team would finish above Ireland and possibly Italy, and were Wales to lose by seven points or more and score fewer than four tries, it is mathematically possible to come third, although Scotland would likely stay below Wales on points difference.
If Scotland win with no bonus point, they could finish fourth or fifth.
Scotland would stay below Wales and above Ireland, so their place would depend on Italy. If they beat Wales with no bonus point, Scotland would stay in fourth, but if they get a bonus point win, they will likely overtake Scotland due to their better points difference.
If Scotland draw or lose with bonus point(s), they could finish fourth or fifth.
The Scots would stay below Wales and ahead of Ireland, so this would again be dependent on Italy, who would take fourth place if they beat Wales.
If Scotland lose with no bonus points, they could finish fourth, fifth or sixth.
They would stay below Wales, but if Italy won, drew, or got bonus points, they would push Scotland down to fifth. If this happened, and Ireland won with a bonus point, as well as reversing Scotland’s superior points difference, Scotland could mathematically finish sixth.
Records could be broken…
Last year, a record 3,988 people got tickets to see Scotland play England at DAM Health Stadium.
Scotland’s first two home fixtures this year had vibrant crowds of well over 3,000, and it looks to be even bigger against Ireland. Scotland prop Christine Belisle has been enjoying the crowds: “The energy they bring, you feed off of it. It’s incredible to have so many people cheering us on, and to be able to meet all the fans after, it’s really special.”
Thanks to Scotland’s fantastic performance on Saturday, hundreds of fans snapped up tickets over the weekend, with more 3,600 supporters curently heading to DAM Health Stadium. Due to the high demand, Scottish Rugby has now opened seating in the Murrayfield Stand and additional standing in the Lothian Stand for Saturday’s game.
Want to be part of a potentially record-breaking crowd? Get your tickets now.
On Ireland
After the victory over Italy, Scotland’s thoughts quickly turned to the Ireland game that could be so decisive in the tournament standings. Captain Rachel Malcolm said: “Now that we’ve got this win, we just push on and keep going. We’ve got a massive game next week and I can’t wait to get back out there!”
Ireland have struggled in the tournament so far this year, but it will by no means be an easy game. In each of Scotland’s last three meetings against the team, the result has been decided by four points or fewer. Ireland also put in a strong performance against an undefeated England team, conceding the fewest points and tries of any team who has played England so far this year.
It’s clear how much the fans mean to this Scotland team, and how important they will be for the Ireland game. Double try-scorer Leah Bartlett encouraged fans to come along for the fixture: “Come back next week! It’s a class atmosphere here and we couldn’t hear you more. Honestly, it means so much having everyone here.”