Recap: Ireland vs Scotland LIVE | Guinness Six Nations
Follow all the action on the RugbyPass live blog from the Guinness Six Nations match between Ireland and Scotland at Aviva Stadium.
Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).
Here are five of the major talking points ahead of the game in Dublin:
Fresh start under Farrell
After a standout 2018 which included a first home victory over New Zealand and a Six Nations Grand Slam, Ireland flattered to deceive last year. On the back of spells at the top of the world rankings, Joe Schmidt’s reign ended with another underwhelming Irish World Cup quarter-final defeat.
(Continue reading below…)
The team captains were out in force at the recent Guinness Six Nations launch
Farrell has stepped up from defensive coach to replace the risk-averse Schmidt, promising to deliver a team the “Irish public love watching”. The 44-year-old has known for more than 14 months that he would take over and will be desperate to make a positive first impression as he attempts to swiftly assert his influence.
Townsend hoping Hastings can Russell up some magic
Scotland’s build-up to the tournament has been disrupted by the ill-discipline of key player Finn Russell. The stand-off, who was set to win his 50th cap this weekend, was sent home after breaching team rules following an alleged late-night drinking session.
Ireland and Scotland name two fresh teams for the first round of the Six Nations ? pic.twitter.com/2HSut8VL3z
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 30, 2020
Adam Hastings has been handed the task of replacing his influential international team-mate. Head coach Gregor Townsend will be hoping 23-year-old Hastings can step up and deliver the good as, like their opponents, Scotland have a point to prove following a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign, which saw them exit with a whimper at the end of the pool stage.
Is Murray still mint?
Farrell’s first major selection dilemma was to choose between the vastly-experienced Conor Murray and the in-form John Cooney at scrum-half. The new head coach opted for the former, much to the dismay of many Ireland fans eager to see Ulster man Cooney given an opportunity on the back of his standout performances for his province.
Murray, who has won 78 caps and is a veteran of two Lions tours, has formerly been a guaranteed name on the Irish team-sheet. With Cooney waiting in the wings, there is plenty of pressure on the 30-year-old to underline his undoubted quality and vindicate Farrell’s faith.
3 years ago then Irish U20s No.2 @tadghmcelroy controversially signed for Saracens and was replaced by Ronan Kelleher. Injury and bad luck have left him back on Irish soil and without a pro club.
– @heagneyl finds out he doesn't hold grudges ?? #IREvSCOhttps://t.co/CTxIoAW1hD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 1, 2020
Gr-eight opportunities for debutants
Saturday’s meeting at the Aviva Stadium comes 132 days after Ireland defeated Scotland 27-3 in their World Cup opener in Yokohama. Retirements and omissions mean both teams have made changes from that tournament.
Among the eye-catching selections are international debuts for Caelan Doris and Nick Haining, who are set to go head-to-head in the number eight positions. Former Ireland under-20s captain Doris, 21, has been thrust into action due to his performances for Leinster, while Australia-born Haining, 29, has been singled out for his handling and footwork skills by coach Townsend. Doris’ club-mate Ronan Kelleher, named on Ireland’s bench, could become the third uncapped player to feature.
Scotland seeking to end abysmal away run
Aside from a few victories over regular wooden spoon winners Italy in Rome, Scotland have not recorded a Six Nations away success for a decade. Andy Robinson was in charge of the Scots when they narrowly beat Ireland 23-20 at Croke Park in 2010 thanks to a last-gasp Dan Parks penalty. That result was their only victory in Dublin since the tournament was expanded to six teams in 2000. Only a shock result will halt the dreadful run of form on the road as Townsend’s men go in the game as major underdogs.
WATCH: The Rugby Pod sets the scene ahead of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations and reflects on yet more Saracens fallout
Comments on RugbyPass
that backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
24 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
24 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
24 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
24 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
24 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
24 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to comments