Ireland v Scotland, Six Nations 2024: Kick-off time, how to watch today’s match and latest news
Ireland are bidding to win their second successive Six Nations title as they host Scotland in the final round of fixtures later today.
Andy Farrell’s side were beaten 23-22 by England in the penultimate round of matches thanks to a last-gasp Marcus Smith drop-goal but after winning their first three fixtures, the reigning champions remain top.
Scotland suffered a disappointing 31-29 defeat against Italy as the hosts secured their first home Six Nations victory in 11 years.
When is Ireland v Scotland?
Ireland take on Scotland today, Saturday, March 16, and the game will kick off at 4.45pm (GMT). This will take place after Wales host Italy at 2.15pm and before England’s clash with France at 8pm.
Where is Ireland v Scotland taking place?
The sides will meet at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Ireland have already beaten Wales and Italy here in this campaign, conceding just seven points in the process.
How to watch Ireland v Scotland on TV
The match will be broadcast live on ITV.
Who is the referee?
Matthew Carley (England). Telegraph Sport has published a full guide to all the referees at this year’s tournament.
How Ireland and Scotland can win Six Nations
What is the Ireland team?
Ireland have stuck with the starting XV narrowly beaten by England.
Andy Farrell’s men will retain the championship crown by avoiding defeat or securing two losing bonus points against the Scots at the Aviva Stadium.
Calvin Nash has overcome the head knock which forced him off inside five minutes of the last-gasp 23-22 loss at Twickenham to retain his place on the right wing.
Garry Ringrose, who is yet to feature in this year’s championship following a shoulder issue, is named among the replacements.
Farrell’s bench shows a five-three split of forwards and backs after the six-two selection in south-west London backfired because of head injuries suffered by Nash and his replacement Ciaran Frawley.
Versatile back Frawley drops out of the 23, replaced by fly-half Harry Byrne, while lock Iain Henderson makes way to accommodate the returning Ringrose.
Leinster trio Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong once again pack down in Ireland’s front row, ahead of locks Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne.
Captain Peter O’Mahony retains the blindside flanker role, despite his costly second-half yellow card against England and strong competition from Ryan Baird, with Josh van der Flier at openside and Caelan Doris lining up at No 8.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley continue as the half-back pairing, while Bundee Aki partners Robbie Henshaw in midfield.
Left wing James Lowe, who claimed Ireland’s two tries at Twickenham, and full-back Hugo Keenan complete the starting line-up.
Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Baird, Jack Conan and Conor Murray join Byrne and Ringrose on the bench.
Ireland XV: Keenan; Nash, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; McCarthy, Beirne, O’Mahony (capt), Van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, Bealham, Baird, Conan, Murray, H Byrne, Ringrose.
What is the Scotland team?
Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall is set for his second Scotland appearance.
The 26-year-old made his debut against Italy in a World Cup warm-up match last summer before being cut from Gregor Townsend’s squad for the tournament in France.
The recent injury sustained by regular starter Sione Tuipulotu paved the way for Cam Redpath to make a rare start in last weekend’s damaging 31-29 defeat away to the Azzurri.
However, McDowall, who has been in good form for Warriors this term, has been preferred to Redpath, who drops to the bench in one of two changes to the team that started in Rome.
The other alteration sees first-choice scrum-half Ben White return in place of George Horne after the Toulon No 9 was rested for the match at the Stadio Olimpico.
Backs Horne and Redpath both drop to the bench, with head coach Gregor Townsend reverting to a 5/3 split after going with a 6/2 last weekend.
Veteran prop Rory Sutherland, a late call-up to the squad ahead of the Italy game, is in line for his first outing of the championship after being named among the subs.
Fellow loosehead Alec Hepburn drops out of the 23 along with former captain Jamie Ritchie.
Scotland XV: Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, McDowall, Van Der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Christie, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Millar-Mills, Skinner, M Fagerson, Horne, Redpath, Rowe.
What are the current standings?
How many times have Ireland and Scotland won the Six Nations?
Ireland have won the Six Nations five times and ahead of their clash with England, were aiming to become the first side to win back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams.
Scotland are yet to win the Six Nations but were victorious in the Five Nations in 1990 and 1999.
What was the score last year?
Ireland defeated Scotland 22-7 when the sides met at Murrayfield in 2023 as they went on to claim their third Six Nations Grand Slam.
What are the latest odds?
Ireland to win: 1/8
Scotland to win: 15/2
Draw: 40/1
Odds correct as of March 16
