What's 'irrelevant' to Andy Farrell as he focuses on Triple Crown

Head coach Andy Farrell insists Ireland’s nine-year dominance over Scotland counts for nothing ahead of a potential Guinness Six Nations title shootout.

The victors of next weekend’s round-five clash in Dublin will claim the Triple Crown and move top of the championship table for at least a few hours.

France, whose Grand Slam dream was extinguished by a thrilling 50-40 defeat at Murrayfield, would then need to beat England in Paris in the final match of ‘Super Saturday’ to return to the summit.

Ireland have won their past 11 meetings with Scotland – a run dating back to February 2017 and spanning the entire tenure of opposition head coach Gregor Townsend – and 15 of the last 16.

“The record, it becomes irrelevant when next week comes around,” said Farrell.

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“I say it every year, I think they’re a great side. I think they’re a talented side.

“They’re well-coached. They’ve had some big wins. They’ve put it to France time and time again, which shows the character that’s in them.

“We’re expecting a massive game next week and the record doesn’t come into it because it’s a proper Test match and a good week to get excited.”

Ireland defeated Scotland in the pool stages of the last two World Cups and the two sides will meet again at next year’s tournament in Australia.

The Scots have never won the Six Nations and last claimed the Triple Crown as part of a Grand Slam in the 1990 Five Nations.

Ireland have won six titles and eight Triple Crowns since then.

“You should never underestimate it, to be able to go for the Triple Crown,” said Farrell.

“It’s huge and it means a lot to us. It certainly does. It’s also going to mean a lot to them as well.

“What’s coming down the line in the next 18 months (the 2027 World Cup in Australia), to get to the last week and there’s a Triple Crown on the line, it’s going to be the type of pressure that we want to be able to deal with.”