Ireland vs Scotland Betting Tips: Predictions & Best Bets
The Rugby World Cup Pool stages draw to their thrilling conclusion this weekend and with Scotland still having a faint chance of qualifying through Pool B, all is to play for in this clash between neighbours Ireland and the Scots.
Billy Grimshaw thinks the game will be played in the correct spirit and with no sneaky tactics, and as such the Irish should prove too strong. He has a couple of bets he likes the look of after going two from two in his New Zealand vs Uruguay piece...
There is a possibility, although seriously unlikely, that the Irish and Scottish sides could end up in a bizarre position where the Irish would be better off conceding a try here than defending their line in terms of overall World Cup winning chances! With the wretchedly convoluted bonus points system, if Scotland are leading 36-20 (and both sides have scored four tries) with a few minutes left another Scottish try would mean they would leapfrog South Africa, but not Ireland, and come through into the knockout rounds alongside the Irish.
Obviously Andy Farrell's men would prefer Scotland to be in the mix rather than a potential match-up with the Springboks, who are ranked number 2 in the world close behind them. All this will surely be irrelevant however, as the uproar around world rugby and indeed world sport would be obscene were any dirty trick to be played.
After sitting out last weekend the Irish watched South Africa take top spot again in the Pool, but a win here by any margin will see them through as group winners due to their winning head to head record with the Boks. Scotland must win to qualify, and must prevent Ireland bagging a bonus point to boot, so the stakes could not be higher for the Bravehearts.
Ireland vs Scotland Tips
Ireland come into this game as the most in-form test side in the world, on a scarcely believable 16 match winning run and now the clear favourites to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy. The Scottish opposition will be fierce but Farrell has opted for a strong side, replacing the wayward line-outs from Ronan Kelleher with Dan Sheehan and keeping most combinations, including the back three and centres, intact. With Ireland priced up at 1/5 and Scotland a 9/2 outsider with BoyleSports, the odds compilers clearly fancy this one is a foregone conclusion.
As this game is do or die, Gregor Townsend has of course gone as strong as possible and that means 12 changes from the side that swept aside minnows Romania last time out with minimal fuss. Captain Jamie Ritchie returns at blindside flanker and the front row is restored with Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson either side of George Turner. If Scotland are to upset the odds, one expects it will be a Finn Russell masterclass that gets them over the line. Their maverick fly half has not quite been at his brilliant best so far at this tournament but now would be the perfect time to turn on the stardust.
Ireland, on the other hand, have a host of match winners in their team and simply look too strong for anyone barring the Springboks and All Blacks to lay a glove on. With so much riding on this game I'd expect it to remain tight, but although backing the Scots to cover the handicap line I just cannot see them securing the win they'll need and an unfortunate early exit at this RWC is looming.
Darcy Graham First Try Scorer
We all love a redemption story in sport, and while I'm not sure Scotland will get their happy ever after here against a rampant Ireland, I do think Darcy Graham is a wonderful talent and is a smidgen overpriced to open the scoring here. BoyleSports are joint best price in the market at 14/1 and after his shocker in the RWC opener against South Africa, when hogging the ball in search of glory when his team mate on the outside had a walk in, he can atone in Scottish eyes and get them off to the perfect start.
He is hard to miss with his bleach blonde hair and dazzling feet and if watching highlights of the Scots recently it is clear to see how often they look to him as their main strike weapon. Graham bagged four against the hapless Romanians and now sits just three away from the all time Scottish try scoring record held by Stuart Hogg. I'd be very surprised if he bags another four here to go past Hogg, but one is within reach and with Scotland knowing how important a fast start will be here the 14s looks enticing.
Of course with Ireland naming a strong side and their awesome defence, there is a very real chance Scotland don't bag a try all game as they failed to do when bullied by South Africa in week one. However, if they are to score one fancies it will be out wide and as such Graham rates the value play as he comes in red hot scoring form.
