Six Nations 2010: Ireland v Scotland preview

By Brendan Gallagher 801PM GMT nineteen Mar 2010

Celtic strife Ireland manager Declan Kidney and Scotland manager Andy Robinson Photo PA

Six Nations

Saturday Mar 20

Scotland name unvaried side Ireland unvaried for Scotland Robinson final winning genius Scotland subject peculiarity of refereeing Killer Bs face greatest exam Rugby Union fixtures

Ireland v ScotlandCroke Park, Dublin Kick-off 17.00 GMTTV BBC One 4.45pm, BBC Red Button 4.45pm

Touchline duel

Except for the blip opposite France the considerable Declan Kidney continues to fool around a blinder, creation dauntless and certain preference preference and refusing to get concerned in any rows, as would have been his right after the Wales diversion and a small of the baffling decisions at the relapse area.

Andy Robinson has brought glow and passion to the Scotland stay and by any tab they have not enjoyed the luckiest of campaigns.

However the wooden ladle is entrance his approach unless Scotland can, at the death, eventually broach a compare winning performance.

Head to head

The backrows. The Celtic nations have regularly constructed smashing foraging units and the combinations on show at Croke or rising as between the really most appropriate in universe rugby.

Stephen Ferris has turn a savage of a player for Ireland, David Wallace reels of peculiarity performances and Jamie Heaslip is a overwhelming player nonetheless a small still opposite Wales.

Meanwhile Scotlands Killer Bs the Glasgow contingent for/of John Beattie, Kelly Brown and John Barclay have extended their reputations by this tournament. If the Lions were selecting a furloughed patrol currently all 6 players would be on the craft

Talking tactics

Ireland are commencement to get in to the slit and the clinical nonetheless in vogue approach they have scored 6 tries in their last dual games indicates the firepower they have at their disposal. As they grow in certainty they will fool around to their strength some-more and some-more and, with Ireland receiving their leave from Croke Park after this game, you whim they will wish to symbol the arise with something special.

Scotlands pack are not to be trifled with and their backrow have warranted copiousness of plaudits this deteriorate but for all their attempt they need to show a small of Irelands pointing when it comes to try-time.

... and an additional thing

1,040,000 spectators have watched the thirteen general rugby diversion at Croke Park to date. During that time Ireland have won 9, drawn one and lost three. Wales, in 2008, are the usually Home Union to have tasted success there during Irelands 4 year control of the GAA citadel.

Probable teams

Ireland G Murphy (Leicester); T Bowe (Ospreys), B ODriscoll (Leinster, capt), G DArcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); J Sexton (Leinster), T OLeary (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), J Hayes, D OCallaghan, P OConnell (all Munster); S Ferris (Ulster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements S Cronin (Connacht), T Buckley (Munster), L Cullen, S Jennings, E Reddan (all Leinster), R OGara (Munster) R Kearney (Leinster) Scotland H Southwell (Stade Francais); S Lamont (Scarlets), N De Luca (Edinburgh), G Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), M Evans (Glasgow); D Parks (Glasgow), C Cusiter (Glasgow, capt); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), E Murray (Northampton), J Hamilton (Edinburgh), A Kellock (Glasgow), K Brown (Glasgow), J Barclay (Glasgow), J Beattie (Glasgow). Replacements S Lawson (Gloucester), A Dickinson (Gloucester), R Gray (Glasgow), A MacDonald (Edinburgh), M Blair (Edinburgh), P Godman (Edinburgh), S Danielli (Ulster). Referee J Kaplan (South Africa) Referees assistants C Joubert (South Africa), J Garces (France) TMO G de Santis (Italy)