Rugby Union

Scotland Vs Ireland Preview, Prediction, Team News And Confirmed Lineups Ahead Of Six Nations Clash

James Chittick Sports Editor

Published07 Feb 2025

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Here’s our Scotland Vs Ireland preview, prediction, team news and confirmed lineups ahead of Sunday’s crucial Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.

Scotland Vs Ireland Preview

Hosts Scotland will go into Sunday’s clash with Ireland full of confidence after their 31-19 win against Italy in round one.

Gregor Townsend’s side survived a second-half scare – with Italy levelling the score at 19-19 in the third quarter – before finding another gear to secure a bonus-point victory.

Ireland, meanwhile, got their title defence off to a perfect start with a four-try win of their own, beating England 27-22 in Dublin.

Despite having home advantage, Scotland go into this one as the underdogs.

The best UK rugby betting sites currently have them at 9/4, with Ireland 10/21 favourites.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 15:00 GMT, and you can find out how to watch Scotland Vs Ireland here.

Scotland Vs Ireland Team News

Scotland:

Your Scotland team to host Ireland on Sunday at Scottish Gas Murrayfield 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/imcCZPNbBs pic.twitter.com/oDFJqrxRTS

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 7, 2025

Scotland make three changes from last week’s win over Italy.

Rory Sutherland comes in at loosehead prop, bumping Pierre Schoeman to the bench.

In the back row, Jack Dempsey starts at number eight, while Tom Jordan earns his first Six Nations start at inside centre, replacing Stafford McDowell.

On the bench, Sam Skinner is among the replacements after being recalled this week, with Jamie Dobie coming in as replacement scrum-half in favour of George Horne.

New-Zealand-born Jordan made his test debut for Scotland in the autumn after qualifying on residency grounds.

Able to play at fly-half and fullback, he spent time at Ayrshire Bulls in the Scottish Super Six before signing with Glasgow Warriors.

Ireland:

Our team to face Scotland in Edinburgh this Sunday! 👊#TeamOfUs

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 7, 2025

For Ireland, its a return to the starting XV for veteran flanker Peter O’Mahony.

The Munster man was left out entirely last weekend against England, but comes in to add valuable experience with more than 100 caps.

Both prop Finlay Bealham and winger Mack Hansen have survived injury scares to be named in the starting team once again.

Sam Prendergast keeps the fly-half jersey, with Robbie Henshaw starting ahead of Gary Ringrose in midfield in Ireland’s only other change to the starting team.

Scotland Vs Ireland Confirmed Lineups

Scotland: B Kinghorn, D Graham, H Jones, T Jordan, D Van der Merwe, F Russell, B White; R Sutherland, D Cherry, Z Fagerson, J Gray, G Gilchrist, M Fagerson, R Darge, J Dempsey.

Replacements: E Ashman, P Schoeman, W Hurd, S Skinner, G Brown, J Ritchie, J Dobie, S McDowall.

Ireland: H Keenan; M Hansen, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, F Bealham; J Ryan, T Beirne; P O’Mahony, J Van der Flier, C Doris (capt).

Replacements: D Sheehan, C Healy, T Clarkson, R Baird, J Conan, C Murray, J Crowley, G Ringrose.

Scotland Vs Ireland Prediction

The Scots will fancy their chances, but have lost their last ten games against Ireland, with just one win in 15.

If Scotland are to win their first title of the Six Nations era, they’ll need to beat the Irish on home soil.

But Ireland are themselves chasing history, looking to become the first team ever to win three consecutive Six Nations titles.

We think this one will be tight for long periods, but expect Ireland to have that little bit too much for Scotland on Sunday.

Prediction: Scotland 17-27 Ireland