Ireland vs Scotland Predictions - Scotland can get close against Ireland

While I can’t see Ireland dropping this game on home soil, I do fancy Scotland to get inside the 16-point handicap.

Ireland have dominated this fixture in recent seasons with nine straight wins. Last year they played each other twice with Ireland winning 22-7 in the Six Nations and 36-14 in the World Cup.

The last time Scotland beat Ireland was way back in 2017 and the last time Scotland won in Ireland was in 2010.

Ireland are four points clear of England at the top of the Six Nations and are clear favourites to retain their title. However, should they lose to Scotland and England beat the French, we could be in for a late twist.

Ireland have been superb for a few years now and despite their World Cup quarterfinal exit, they are still considered by many to be the best side in the world at the moment.  The Irish comfortably beat France in Paris at the start of the tournament before thrashing Italy at home.

Thereafter Ireland beat Wales 31-7 at home but last week went down 23-22 to England at Twickenham. It was a massive surprise to see Ireland lose that game, but they should have enough in the bank to take the title.

Ireland won’t be taking any chances on Saturday. They will want a clinical victory to secure the title before England even play.

Scotland are third on the table and should really be competing for the title this weekend. Unfortunately, the pressure got to them last weekend as they lost 31-29 in Italy.

Prior to that, Scotland beat Wales by a point in round one, lost 20-16 at home to France and then beat England 30-21 on home soil.

This was a great opportunity for Scotland because those defeats to France at home and to Italy could easily have been victories. They would have been right in this contest for the title then.

Scotland will be disappointed with their campaign despite some very good moments. But it will feel like an opportunity lost, however, they won’t be making wholesale changes as a big performance against Ireland could go a long way to setting them up for the rest of the year.