Preview: Scotland v Ireland

10 Mar 2023

Scotland compete for the Triple Crown and Centenary Quaich against Ireland at BT Murrayfield on Sunday (kick off 3pm) in their fourth round of their Guinness Six Nations campaign - live on BBC One.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - MARCH 08: Stuart Hogg during a Scotland training session at the Oriam, on March 08, 2023, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

What they said

Head Coach Gregor Townsend said: “We’ve had an extra day’s preparation, which allows us to connect more and focus on what we need to do.

“We will be challenged in our defence and challenged in our attack, but we are looking forward to that challenge.

“You want to go up against the best teams in the world. You want to improve as well from what you’ve done in the last game and that’s what we have been working on this week.”

The teams

Stats

  • Three of Scotland’s four victories against Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations have come at BT Murrayfield.
  • Scotland have won three of their last four home games in the Guinness Six Nations, including a record win over Wales in their most recent game at BT Murrayfield (35-7 in Round 2).
  • Scotland have the highest tackle success rate of any side in this year’s Guinness Six Nations having missed the fewest tackles of any side (55), while they’ve also conceded a Championship low 10 line breaks this campaign.
  • Scotland’s Finn Russell has made the most carries (45), offloads (6) and assisted the most tries (4) of any player in the Guinness Six Nations this year, while teammate Duhan van der Merwe has beaten the most defenders (21).

RELATED

1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) 1872 Cup: What’s on Guide 25 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Take part in the 1872 Cup light show! 25 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Line-ups confirmed for decisive 1872 Cup clash 24 December 2025 Obituary Obituary: Richard Cramb 23 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Preview: All roads lead to Scottish Gas Murrayfield for intercity double-header 22 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) 30,000 and counting: Blockbuster finale at Scottish Gas Murrayfield 21 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Match Report: Glasgow Warriors 24 – 12 Edinburgh Rugby 21 December 2025 1872 Cup (Edinburgh Rugby) Scotland stars included in Edinburgh’s 1872 Cup lineup 19 December 2025 Edinburgh Rugby Men Henry Pyrgos joins Edinburgh Rugby’s Academy coaching staff 19 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Warriors call on supporters to bring the Hampden roar 18 December 2025 Match Officials Davidson to referee in 2026 Men’s Guinness Six Nations 17 December 2025 New dining experiences add a fitting tribute to 100 years of Murrayfield 17 December 2025 Appointments Scottish Rugby names Sione Fukofuka as Scotland Women Head Coach 17 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Glasgow Warriors team named for 1872 Cup opener 16 December 2025 Area Development Greenock Wanderers RFC Secures Royal London Funding 16 December 2025 1872 Cup (Glasgow Warriors) Stage set for 1872 Cup opener 16 December 2025 Scotland A Scotland A to face Italy XV in February 16 December 2025 Appointments Meet Alex Ross: Scottish Rugby Head of Athletic Performance & Sports Science 15 December 2025 Edinburgh Rugby Men Castres power past young Edinburgh side 15 December 2025 Glasgow Warriors Men Match Report: Glasgow Warriors 28-21 Stade Toulousain 13 December 2025