Scotland vs Ireland Predictions - Ireland in for a mighty challenge against Scotland

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 08 Feb 2025

Ralph Staniforth 08 Feb 2025

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Scotland has won 7 of their last 8 matches, mostly against tier-two teams.
Hosts can end 10-match losing streak against Ireland.
Key players and home advantage could make this a closely contested match.

Expired

Scotland can beat Ireland at Murrayfield (Getty Images)

Scotland vs Ireland Preview

Scotland have the form to challenge a very strong Ireland side on home soil. This should be a very good contest, and if the hosts can match the physicallity of Ireland, they will have a good chance of getting the victory.

Scotland vs Ireland Preview
Head to Head
Scotland Form
Scotland Injuries & Team News
Ireland Form
Ireland Injuries & Team News

Scotland have won 7 of their last 8 matches.
Ireland have won their last 10 matches against Scotland.
Ireland have won 4 of their last 6 matches.
Ireland have won the Six Nations title in the last 2 seasons.

Head to Head

Scotland have not beaten Ireland since 2017, a run of 10 games.

Scotland Form

Scotland are in good form coming into this game in terms of results with wins in seven of their last eight matches. However, most of those victories have come against tier two opposition.

In November, Scotland lost 32-15 to South Africa before thrashing Portugal a week later. They backed it up with an impressive 27-13 victory over Australia.

Last week, in their round one fixture of the Six Nations, Scotland beat Italy 31-19 at Murrayfield. It was not a straightforward game but, in the end, Scotland did enough as Italy wasted numerous opportunities.

Scotland Injuries & Team News

15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Tom Jordan, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell (co-captain), 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge (co-captain), 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Jonny Gray, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Dave Cherry, 1 Rory Sutherland.

Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Gregor Brown, 20 Gregow Brown, 21 Jamie Ritchie, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Stafford McDowall

Ireland Form

Ireland have been at the top or second in the world rankings for the best part of the last three years. They have won two successive Six Nations campaigns as well, although their World Cup performances have still suffered.

Last year, Ireland lost just one game to England away during the Six Nations. They began this campaign with a 27-22 home win over the English last weekend.

England led at the break but a strong second half performance saw Ireland pull through with another win.

Ireland Injuries & Team News

15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Sam Prendergast, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter.

Replacements: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Garry Ringrose.