Ireland vs Scotland Rugby prediction, lineups, odds and betting tips

Ireland vs Scotland prediction as Andy Farrell’s side chase Six Nations glory in Dublin

It’s Super Saturday in the Guinness Six Nations, with the final round of matches taking place at some of the most iconic venues in international rugby.

The penultimate game of the tournament sees Ireland welcome Scotland to the Aviva Stadium, with the hosts knowing a win will secure them back-to-back Six Nations title.

Scotland will be looking to spoil the party and potentially spoil the party (something they’ve been good at in the past) to secure second place.

Both sides suffered shock defeats in round four, with Ireland’s hopes of successive Grand Slams dashed by a superb display by England at Twickenham. Scotland seemed to be cruising to a comfortable victory, only to throw it away and suffer defeat to Italy in Rome.

Ireland vs Scotland Prediction

Ireland start the game as 1/8 favourites, with a -15 start on the handicap. Scotland, who haven’t won in Dublin since 2010, can be backed at a best price of 15/2 with the draw available at 45/1.

As for the game I think the set-piece as always will be crucial; Ireland were outmanoeuvred by England in that department last week, particularly the lineout, but for the rest of the competition the Irish pack have been excellent.

Scotland have been no slouches in this area but once those replacements come rolling on you see a huge drop off and that is where Ireland will look to strike and turn the screw.

Then we come to the breakdown; England flooded that area and really disrupted the speed of the Irish ball and forced some uncharacteristic errors.

If Scotland can get similar results that will go a long way to deciding the fate of this game, but do they have the discipline to do it consistently without drawing the referees attention?

Ireland vs Scotland Lineups

Ireland Team for Scotland

Keenan; Nash, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; McCarthy, Beirne, O'Mahony (capt), Van der Flier, Doris.

Scotland Team for Ireland

Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, McDowall, Van Der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Christie, Darge, Dempsey.

Ireland vs Scotland Betting Tips

Betting Tip: Total Points Over 48.5 – 10/11 Sky Bet

This one is simple for me when looking at the recent results and history between the sides. During this Six Nations three of Scotland’s fixtures have produced 48 points or more (those three games all went over 50 points as well).

While Ireland have only crossed that threshold once so far in the tournament (mainly thanks to their defence) their game with France produced 55 points and but for some wayward George Ford kicking the total would have been much more than 45 points in the England game.

The last meeting between the sides at the World Cup produced 50 points and I see a similar game script here, Ireland can get on top early and really roll with their attack with some late Scottish points when the game is decided to take us over that total of 48 points.

Betting Tip: James Lowe Anytime Tryscorer – Evens BetMGM

Another fairly simple pick for me. Lowe has been in superb form all tournament, with his double at Twickenham taking his total for the tournament to four tries.

In his last two games against Scotland he has scored on both occasions. On what should be a good day for Irish rugby, I can see their star winger being as influential as ever. I think evens is a very fair price and would be my second and final bet of the game.

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