Scotland v Ireland Sunday 3pm

[BaldiePete]

Sam Skinner has been added to the squad for the Ireland match. No one has been listed as injured but that implies there’s at least some worry about one of the 2nd rows already in the squad.

[General Zod]

I wonder if he’ll go full tombola for this.

As in McDowell at 12, Jordan at FB and Kinghorn on the wing for vdM (who didn’t look 100% fit by the end of the Italy game).

I also think we may see Crosbie start this game at 6, and Gray not in the squad.

Anyway, something to look forward to at lunch tomorrow instead of working…

[septic 9]

I wonder if he’ll go full tombola for this.

As in McDowell at 12, Jordan at FB and Kinghorn on the wing for vdM (who didn’t look 100% fit by the end of the Italy game).

I also think we may see Crosbie start this game at 6, and Gray not in the squad.

Anyway, something to look forward to at lunch tomorrow instead of working…

everyone is reported as fit

[paddy no 11]

Mahony and Henshaw start

Ringrose, crowley, sheehan on the bench

Our better team is on the bench, so Scotland cannot have a bad start if any chance of winning

[sharvey44]

Scotland team to face Ireland on Sunday, 9 February 2025, kick-off 3pm at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, live on BBC One Scotland (caps in brackets):

15.Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (56)
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (43)
13. Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (54)
12. Tom Jordan – Glasgow Warriors (4)
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (45)
10. Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (83) CO-CAPTAIN
9. Ben White – Toulon (25)

1. Rory Sutherland – Glasgow Warriors (38)
2. Dave Cherry – Edinburgh Rugby (12)
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (71)
4. Jonny Gray – Bordeaux Bègles (78)
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (76)
6. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (51)
7. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (26) CO-CAPTAIN
8. Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (23)

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (23)
17. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (38)
18. Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (5)
19. Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (35)
20. Gregor Brown – Glasgow Warriors (5)
21. Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (55)
22. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors (9)
23. Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (9

[switchskier]

I don't like the Jordan/Jones combo in the centres. I think that there's a reason that Glasgow hardly ever play them that way and against Ireland we need direct carrying to get over the gain line.

That said the change to the backrow does make sense to me, though I can see Ritchie coming back in for other games (e.g. France). Pleased to see Brown there.

Dobie is a surprise. Both he and Horne are options to up the pace and seem to offer similar things off the bench.

I'm optimistic: Ireland by 9.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, I feel like Dobie has to be there as emergency back-three cover late on if we’ve already brought McDowall on, which isn’t really ideal. Happy with him as a 9 though.

I’m yet to be fully convinced by what we do with a 6:2 bench. 2 lock/blindsides and a flanker who aren’t particularly dynamic is a bit of a strange move. Though anyone might look dynamic coming on for Jonny Gray if he plays similarly to last week.

Sutherland starting is an interesting shout. It felt like Schoeman’s best game for a little while.

[switchskier]

Ireland team. Ten Leinster players but none from Ulster.

15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster)(43)
14. Mack Hansen (Corinthians/Connacht)(26)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(78)
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(61)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(37)
10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster)(4)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(39)

1. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster)(71)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(38)
3. Finlay Bealham (Corinthians/Connacht)(47)
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(68)
5. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(57)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)(110)
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)(69)
8. Caelan Doris (St Mary’s College/Leinster)(captain)(48)

Replacements:

16. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster)(28)
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)(135)
18. Thomas Clarkson (Dublin University/Leinster)(3)
19. Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster)(24)
20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(47)
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)(121)
22. Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)(20)
23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)(64)

[septic 9]

I don't like the Jordan/Jones combo in the centres. I think that there's a reason that Glasgow hardly ever play them that way and against Ireland we need direct carrying to get over the gain line.

Dobie is a surprise. Both he and Horne are options to up the pace and seem to offer similar things off the bench.

Glasgow have rarely if ever started Jordan at centre. When he does come on at centre or move there during a game, its to 12 not 13 if Jones is playing. Jones never plays 12, and I can't remember Jordan at 13. McDowell is the only Warriors player who gets game time (and especially starting games) at both 12 and 13 depending on the other centre

We have gone 6/2 to try and keep pressure on in the forwards. Agree with that decision or not once its made Dobie is the obvious bench 9, having started games on the wing successfully for Glasgow and moved to wing in Warriors regular 6/2 set up

[Cameo]

I don't like the Jordan/Jones combo in the centres. I think that there's a reason that Glasgow hardly ever play them that way and against Ireland we need direct carrying to get over the gain line.

Dobie is a surprise. Both he and Horne are options to up the pace and seem to offer similar things off the bench.

Glasgow have rarely if ever started Jordan at centre. When he does come on at centre or move there during a game, its to 12 not 13 if Jones is playing. Jones never plays 12, and I can't remember Jordan at 13. McDowell is the only Warriors player who gets game time (and especially starting games) at both 12 and 13 depending on the other centre

We have gone 6/2 to try and keep pressure on in the forwards. Agree with that decision or not once its made Dobie is the obvious bench 9, having started games on the wing successfully for Glasgow and moved to wing in Warriors regular 6/2 set up

I think the point was more that they rarely play together in the centres. Anyway, I'm excited but unsure on the centre partnership. I wanted McDowall to get the game, but as much because I feel for him always coming in and out rather than having a strong view on the best option. I suppose Jordan offers something a little different.

Agree re 6-2. Not sure I like it, but if we are going to do it Dobie makes sense.

Hadn't expected the Sutherland change but I like it. Think Schoemann's carrying might achieve more later on.

I'd have started Ritchie just for his clear up work (especially around the high ball) and breakdown threat, but can see why they've gone with Dempsey. Need a big game from Fagerson.

[Cameo]

In a way, I think the biggest boost to my confidence (not that it is that high!) is them picking O'Mahoney. To me, it smacks of sentimentalism or over loyalty. Sure he's a good player for his age, but I don't think he's top 3 in the world good.

[BaldiePete]

Sutherland starting is an interesting shout. It felt like Schoeman’s best game for a little while.

Interested to see how that goes. Has Bhatti not been the better of the Glasgow looseheads this season? Maybe a bit of bomb squad thinking with Schoeman and Ashman on the bench to up the tempo later in the game.

Dobie is a good player and is obviously also covering wing but I’d liked to have seen Horne on the bench. As for starting scrum half, White is a better kicker than Horne and had a good game against Italy.

[Donny osmond]

In a way, I think the biggest boost to my confidence (not that it is that high!) is them picking O'Mahoney. To me, it smacks of sentimentalism or over loyalty. Sure he's a good player for his age, but I don't think he's top 3 in the world good.

He doesn't need to be top 3 in the world good. It's a statement from Ireland that they're confident their 2nd or even 3rd choice back row players are good enough to take on Scotland. I suspect it's really a bit of mental gamesmanship from the Irish, knowing full well that Scotlands weakness is our mental approach and that Pedo Manny gets right into Scottish heads they've probably picked him to wind up and distract our guys from playing their game.

[septic 9]

Interested to see how that goes. Has Bhatti not been the better of the Glasgow looseheads this season? Maybe a bit of bomb squad thinking with Schoeman and Ashman on the bench to up the tempo later in the game.

Bhatti has consistently been the best Scottish LH for the last 18 months at least. Much better than the second best LH at Edinburgh who has been living on reputation - and last week was much the same, crowd shout when he gets the ball, but he doesn't carry as effectively these days (one good yardage after being put into a gap by Zander!), and not the best workrate or lineout lift. TBF to Sutherland he has been getting more game time recently at Glasgow and has started to look like his old self - and he has the highest ceiling of the three

Ashman is there because of lack of alternatives and bulk. Another playing on reputation

[General Zod]

https://x.com/Atholl1844/status/1888561 ... &s=08&mx=2

[septic 9]

https://x.com/Atholl1844/status/1888561 ... &s=08&mx=2

very good!

[paddy no 11]

Hopefully this as a real good contest

[Which Tyler]

Does the ref know it's 2025?
Escort runner is the first offence

[Mikey Brown]

Yep. Painful. Huge forward pass ignored in build up to Irish try too, but Scotland making enough mistakes on our own anyway.

[paddy no 11]

Duhan

[paddy no 11]

Yep. Painful. Huge forward pass ignored in build up to Irish try too, but Scotland making enough mistakes on our own anyway.

To bernie, was ridiculous

[paddy no 11]

Da fuck is Kinghorn at!

[Donny osmond]

2 of our most important players getting themselves taken off after colliding with each other pretty sums up that first 20

[paddy no 11]

Ah that's a disaster for the game and Darcy

[Mikey Brown]

2 of our most important players getting themselves taken off after colliding with each other pretty sums up that first 20

Sure does.

Graham looks fucked. Poor guy has no luck.