Six Nations: Scotland v Ireland tips, betting preview and match details

TV: BBC1 & Virgin One (RoI) 2.15pm Saturday

Ireland's Six Nations crown is sitting precariously after a comprehensive opening defeat at home to England last week, but they have the chance to put things right at Murrayfield.

The men in green were, in the words of their own coach, "bullied" by England, who brought to an end Ireland's run of 12 home victories.

Ireland now face a Scotland side whose own home record stands at ten wins from 12 but who look vulnerable against similar bullying tactics and Ireland have been handed the model for success.

• Scotland v Ireland match hub

It's natural for a team who have been chastened to come out physically fired-up in their next match, and a hurting side are always dangerous.

There have been some injury setbacks in the Ireland camp, with Devin Toner and CJ Stander missing from the pack. But head coach Joe Schmidt has worked hard for the last two years to increase the strength in depth of the squad and the forward replacements are by no means makeweights.

Ireland's absentee roll call is still nowhere near as serious as that of Scotland, who at least welcome back lock Jonny Gray this week but are nonetheless missing a host of big names from their pack.

That is an area where Ireland will surely look to target and dominate the Scots to stop a flow of quick ball to their quickfire backs.

Scotland's half-backs Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell were able to set up the perfect attacking platform against an unusually passive Italy side last weekend, and the upshot was a tally of five tries, their highest in one match since the Six Nations began in 2000.

Forcing a high tempo and keeping the ball moving allowed Scotland to keep the Azzurri on the back foot but the dynamics are sure to be different this week as Ireland look better able to set the tone. They have the power and smart execution to put Scotland in trouble and that is a position from which they find it difficult to fight back.

Scotland have suffered just two home defeats in the last two years - once to New Zealand, which is easily forgiven, and once last autumn to a pretty limited South Africa team who nonetheless had the physical superiority to impose themselves.

That run of home successes includes victory over Ireland in this fixture two years ago, but even then the Irish scrum looked to be well on top in the opening exchanges. The were stunned by two Stuart Hogg tries in the first quarter but still regrouped to lead by a point before shipping two late penalties.

This encounter could be tense and tight at times but Ireland can take on board all the warnings from their last defeat at Murrayfield and last week's Dublin drubbing and they have all the weapons to edge it.

Recommendation
Ireland to win by one to 12 points
2pts 6-4 Betfair, Betway

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