Scotland vs Ireland LIVE! Six Nations 2023 match stream, latest score and rugby updates today

Round four of the Six Nations concludes with a massive showdown at Murrayfield this afternoon. Andy Farrell’s green machine rolls into Glasgow today bursting with confidence and looking for the latest statement win in their search for a coveted Grand Slam that will significantly raise hopes of ending that World Cup curse in France later this year.

But Ireland are expecting a tough test from Scotland, who opened the competition with successive wins for the first time since 1996 before playing their part in an absolute thriller in Paris a fortnight ago. Marshalled by the sublime playmaking talents of maverick fly-half Finn Russell, this is undoubtedly the best Scottish team for many a year who seem confident of disrupting Ireland’s relentless progress and throwing the championship wide open ahead of Super Saturday.

Stuart Hogg earns his 100th cap for the hosts today as Jonny Gray and Jack Dempsey come in, while the Irish are boosted by several key returns from injury including those of captain Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong. Follow Scotland vs Ireland in the Six Nations live below!

Live updates

Sexton on for history

Ireland skipper Sexton stands a chance of securing some personal glory this afternoon.

The 37-year-old is closing in on becoming the Six Nations’ all-time leading points scorer. He sits just seven championship points shy of Ronan O’Gara’s record total of 557, having leapfrogged former England international Jonny Wilkinson into second spot last month.

Sexton insists team achievements top individual accolades but concedes surpassing former international team-mate O’Gara would be a “fantastic” bonus.

Will the Scots halt the Irish?

Captain Johnny Sexton this week claimed Ireland are preparing to face the greatest Scotland team of the Six Nations era. Although there is clearly a healthy respect for the hosts, the Irish have dominated this fixture for a decade. Ireland have won 11 of the last 12 clashes, including seven on the bounce, dating back to 2014.

From an Irish perspective it would be extremely unfortunate timing for their recent supremacy to end. In an intriguing sub-plot, the sides are set to meet again at the autumn World Cup, with the Paris showdown likely to determine which nation progresses from the pool stage. Ireland thumped Scotland 27-3 during the same stage of the 2019 tournament in Japan.

All to play for

A year ago this weekend, Scotland were in Rome playing a relatively insignificant match against Italy, with their victory meaning little in the grand scheme of things other than ensuring they would not finish with the wooden spoon. This time they go into their penultimate fixture knowing there are huge rewards potentially awaiting them.

If they beat Ireland, they will claim a first Triple Crown since 1990. In addition, a home victory, especially with a bonus point, would take Gregor Townsend's team into their final match at home to Italy with a real chance of winning the Six Nations title.

The Irish are not short of motivation either, however. A win in Edinburgh will leave them on course for the title and a Grand Slam.

Prediction: Narrow Ireland win

Despite the disappointing final scoreline in Paris in round three, the significant strides Scotland have made over recent months have been undeniable.

With the sublimely-gifted Finn Russell pulling the strings from fly-half, Townsend’s side are an absolute joy to watch in attack for the most part, boasting serious scoring threats all over the park.

However, ruthless Ireland are a different animal altogether and will see their ranks greatly enhanced by the returns of several important players this weekend.

The Men in Green should get a tough test here, perhaps their most difficult, but are too good a team to let their Grand Slam hopes slip away when glory is within reach with just England to come in Dublin.

Ireland to win, by 10 points.

Ireland XV

Ireland XV: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (c), Murray; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Henderson, Ryan; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, O’Toole, Baird, Conan, Gibson-Park, Byrne, Henshaw.

Scotland XV

Scotland XV: Hogg; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson; R Gray, J Gray; Fagerson, Ritchie (c), Dempsey.

Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Berghan, Cummings, Watson, Price, Kinghorn, Harris.

Ireland team news

Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes have been given a major boost through the returns of key starters Tadhg Furlong, Johnny Sexton and Garry Ringrose from injury.

All-action hooker Dan Sheehan is also back in the starting XV, along with recalls for veteran flanker Peter O’Mahony and scrum-half Conor Murray.

Jamison Gibson-Park and Robbie Henshaw both come onto the bench, meaning Craig Casey and Stuart McCloskey drop out of the matchday squad altogether.

Tighthead Finlay Bealham is out for the tournament with a knee injury, while Iain Henderson retains his starting berth over Ryan Baird in the second row with Tadhg Beirne sidelined.

Scotland team news

Scotland are without Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist, who was suspended for three weeks following his red card for a high hit to the head of French flanker Anthony Jelonch in Paris.

His place in the second row is taken by Jonny Gray, who lines up alongside older brother Richie. Former skipper Stuart Hogg earns his 100th cap at full-back.

Hamish Watson is only on the bench as Townsend re-orders his back row, bringing in former Australia international Jack Dempsey at number eight, with captain Jamie Ritchie at openside flanker and Matt Fagerson switching to the blindside.

How to watch Scotland vs Ireland

TV channel: In the UK, Scotland vs Ireland is being televised live on BBC One, with coverage starting from 2:15pm.

Live stream: Fans can also watch the game unfold live online via the BBC iPlayer or BBC Sport website.

Welcome

Good afternoon and welcome to the Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Six Nations clash between Scotland and Ireland.

This should be a cracker at Murrayfield, with the best Scotland side in recent memory facing off against the strongest Irish squad in even longer.

Ireland are favourites to win this afternoon, but Scotland are more than capable of upsetting the odds in front of their own fans. Claim the Triple Crown today and a first ever Six Nations title is in the offing for today’s hosts.