Match Preview: Scotland v Ireland

Scotland Assistant Coach, Mike Blair on the match against Ireland this weekend:

“Ireland are a very tough team to play against, it’s in their DNA the way that they play.

“They’re a very aggressive side and go hard at the breakdown and they’ve got a number of threats we’ve got to take on.

“There will be some opportunities we hope for us as well, things that we’ve looked at and we know them well. I’m sure they’ll have a few tricks up their sleeve as well, but we just need to prepare as well as we can.”

“Everyone is really enjoying each other’s company and we will prepare well this week and give it our best shot on Sunday.”
Sam Johnson

Sam Johnson on Ireland:

“I was in camp for that France week and it was really disappointing not to play that game.

“We know the test that is going to come against Ireland. We seem to have played them a lot over the last couple of years and they’ve probably had the upper hand.

“I feel that a lot of things have changed in camp and everyone is really enjoying each other’s company and we will prepare well this week and give it our best shot on Sunday.”

Sam Skinner on being called up to the Scotland squad:

“It’s huge, I’m extremely grateful. You never take these call-ups for granted.

“I was gutted and disappointed not to be involved from the start of the tournament. I tried to control what I could control and play as well as I could.

“I played in the last game against Ireland and they’re a quality side. The way they’re talking and playing, they seem to be in a strong and confident place so there’s a battle coming up this weekend and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Team Announcement 

The Scotland team to play Ireland will be named at lunchtime on Friday. Keep an eye on scottishrugby.org and the Scottish Rugby social channels to get the team first.

Match facts

• Scotland have won two of their last four home games against Ireland in the Six Nations (L2), after winning only one of the previous six clashes between the sides at BT Murrayfield (L5).

• Ireland come into this match having beaten Italy in Rome in Round 3, ending a run of five straight defeats away from home in all competitions, they will be aiming to win consecutive Tests as the visiting side for the first time since winning four in a row between June 2018 and February 2019.

• Scotland and Ireland are the only nations to boast a lineout success rate of 90+% in the Six Nations this year, Gregor Townsend’s side have won 24 of their 26 throws (92%) while Andy Farrell’s men have won 29/32 (91%).

• Scotland are the only side to average fewer than 10 missed tackles (8.5) per game in the Six Nations in 2021 and as a result boast the best tackle success rate (92%); individually, only Paul Willemse (34/34) has attempted more tackles without missing than Scotland’s Hamish Watson (29/29).

• Scotland’s Stuart Hogg has beaten 14 defenders in this year’s Six Nations, more than any other player, despite playing just two games; the Scotland captain is also one of just five players to gain 200+ metres (201, also James Lowe, Monty Ioane, Elliot Daly, Hugo Keenan).

• Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has slotted each of his 11 kicks at goal in the Six Nations this year, no other player has attempted more than two place kicks without missing at least once.

Meet our Mascots

This Sunday, as Scotland face Ireland in Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations at BT Murrayfield, we’ll have the support of our four Dove Men+Care virtual mascots as they cheer on the team and join in with the anthem from home. Find out more about them HERE.

Watch and follow the game

Join us on Sunday in the Scottish Rugby Match Centre, supported by The Royal Bank of Scotland.

We’ll be joined by Jim Hamilton, Pete Horne, Lee Jones and Chris Fusaro, who will offer exclusive insight before, during and after the match.

As always we’ll bring you the big moments as they happen, along with the latest from inside the Scotland camp.

Join us for the match build-up on Sunday at scottishrugby.org.

Scotland v Ireland kicks off off at 3pm GMT and you can watch the game live on BBC One.