Ireland vs Scotland

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Ireland vs Scotland

RWC 2023, Pool B

Saturday 7 October, 8pm
Stade de France, Saint-Denis

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Referee 1: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referee 2: Jordan Way
TV Match Official: Brett Cronan

Ireland

15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Mack Hansen, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. James Lowe, 10. Johnny Sexton, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter, 2. Dan Sheehan, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. Iain Henderson, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. Caelan Doris

Replacements:16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. David Kilcoyne, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. James Ryan, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Stuart McCloskey

Scotland

15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price; 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie (capt), 7. Rory Darge, 8. Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: 16. Ewan Ashman, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. WP Nel, 19. Scott Cummings, 20. Matt Fagerson, 21. Luke Crosbie, 22. George Horne, 23. Ollie Smith.

Starting line up as expected, happy that Toonie is backing his starters and not veering off with a Harris selection

im sure there was debate about loosehead and wing

6:2 split with smith and crosbie on the bench is wild though - maybe Toonie reckons we fall away on the 50min because of the replacements, could use a bit more in the pack?

Price starts?

Ah fook it. Where’s my Ireland shirt?

Ooft Price starting? Crosbie over Watson?

Big calls

My guess at the team for Sat

Schoeman, Turner, Fagerson
Gray, Gilchrist
Ritchie, Darge
Dempsey
White, Russell
Tuipulotu, Jones
VDM, Graham
Kinghorn

Bench: Ashman, Sutherland, Nel, Cummings, Skinner, Watson, Horne, Redpath

That’s what I’d go for. Very hard to leave out Healy but I think Skinner and Watson deserve to be on the bench. M Fagerson isn’t a Lion and has been too error prone this World Cup. Experienced second rows in the first half with Skinner and Cummings coming on in the second half.

I just saw tramps team before posting this, I am shocked that skinner is out and Price starting is a big surprise. Not a bad one however, he is still a quality scrum half. Crosbie on the bench with Fagerson is a big surprise to me as well. Not the right calls in my opinion but good luck to them both I hope they play well.

Wait and no redpath!?! Dear lord

Tramptastic wrote:So, teams been sent across

Schoe
Turner
Z Fagerson
Gray Sr
Gilchrist
Ritchie
Darge
Dempsey

Price
Russell
Duhan
Tuipulotu
Jones
Graham
Kinghorn

Bench:

Ashman
Sutherland
Nel
Cummings
M Fagerson
Luke Crosbie
Horne
Smith

Amazing we get this intel!

I know how accurate your source usually is Tramp, but on this occasion I hope they are wrong on the make-up of the bench - I just can't see the thought process behind Crosbie and Smith at all.

Not sure any of us saw Crosbie coming into the match day squad, not that he does not deserve it.

It keeps our line out options up I guess and he will continue to do the hard graft required against Ireland.

I have never felt he had reached his full potential in a Scotland shirt, so let's hope Toonie's faith in him brings out the best of him this time.

tigertattie wrote:Price starts?

Ah fook it. Where’s my Ireland shirt?

The only thing i would say about this is that White has not really been on his A game in this tournament so far, so maybe I am not to surprised that he has picked Price for his experience.

White has pissibly plsyed himself out of the team as much as Price has played himself in!

BigGee wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Price starts?

Ah fook it. Where’s my Ireland shirt?

The only thing i would say about this is that White has not really been on his A game in this tournament so far, so maybe I am not to surprised that he has picked Price for his experience.

White has pissibly plsyed himself out of the team as much as Price has played himself in!

Maybe so. But I’d go Horne before price.

Box kicking to the Guinness drinkers all day is not a good idea

So if the team is correct, then we are going to try and take the Irish on up front at the breakdown. Then give the ball to Price to kick it back to the Irish back three. Well that hasn’t worked before and I see no reason to think that it’s going to work this time.
Think it’s going to be a long evening. Going to have to hide behind 2 couches now.

I can understand the Price over White decision. White has been decent but Price deserves a chance.

Keeping Horne on the bench is also the right option. He lifts the pace in the last quarter, Price wouldnt do this at all.

EST wrote:

Tramptastic wrote:So, teams been sent across

Schoe
Turner
Z Fagerson
Gray Sr
Gilchrist
Ritchie
Darge
Dempsey

Price
Russell
Duhan
Tuipulotu
Jones
Graham
Kinghorn

Bench:

Ashman
Sutherland
Nel
Cummings
M Fagerson
Luke Crosbie
Horne
Smith

Amazing we get this intel!

I know how accurate your source usually is Tramp, but on this occasion I hope they are wrong on the make-up of the bench - I just can't see the thought process behind Crosbie and Smith at all.

I genuinely can't tell you which part of the set up they are in, theres not many of them on their team so they've asked i keep shtum

but that'll be the side like

Smith makes sense in that if Dancer gets crocked Blarehorn steps up and The Tombola has decided that Smith has more out and out pace, and a better kicking game than Seaman. You can see the logic.

Crosbie is a big aggressive laddie who obviously fancies his chances against POM. Good luck to him.

I don't mind the inclusion of Crosbie because the kid is a star but Fagerson instead of Watson is whiffier than RDW's stale socks in the Sydney sunshine. We need dynamic carriers more than we need a spare specialist no.8.

Huge mistake and if you listen to Big Jim in his rugby podcast with Andy Goode, Watson was apparently desperate to play.

It does look like Toonie is looking forward not backwards with his selections.

That game against Romsnia could possibly have been Hamish Watson's last game for Scotland.

I would say there is a reasonable chance he will retire internationally after this WC is done, so this game v Ireland may well have been his last opportunity.

Tramptastic wrote:

EST wrote:

Tramptastic wrote:So, teams been sent across

Schoe
Turner
Z Fagerson
Gray Sr
Gilchrist
Ritchie
Darge
Dempsey

Price
Russell
Duhan
Tuipulotu
Jones
Graham
Kinghorn

Bench:

Ashman
Sutherland
Nel
Cummings
M Fagerson
Luke Crosbie
Horne
Smith

Amazing we get this intel!

I know how accurate your source usually is Tramp, but on this occasion I hope they are wrong on the make-up of the bench - I just can't see the thought process behind Crosbie and Smith at all.

I genuinely can't tell you which part of the set up they are in, theres not many of them on their team so they've asked i keep shtum

but that'll be the side like

Of course, can't compromise the mole!

BigGee wrote:It does look like Toonie is looking forward not backwards with his selections.

That game against Romsnia could possibly have been Hamish Watson's last game for Scotland.

I would say there is a reasonable chance he will retire internationally after this WC is done, so this game v Ireland may well have been his last opportunity.

His post on Twitter/X certainly suggests his international race has run. I don't think he's retiring from the national side, but I think accepts he's unlikely to make future squads.

EWT Spoons wrote:

BigGee wrote:It does look like Toonie is looking forward not backwards with his selections.

That game against Romsnia could possibly have been Hamish Watson's last game for Scotland.

I would say there is a reasonable chance he will retire internationally after this WC is done, so this game v Ireland may well have been his last opportunity.

His post on Twitter/X certainly suggests his international race has run.  I don't think he's retiring from the national side, but I think accepts he's unlikely to make future squads.

That's sad news, though he was never the same player after getting rid of the mullet. At least we still have Esteban Inostroza.

BigGee wrote:It does look like Toonie is looking forward not backwards with his selections.

That game against Romsnia could possibly have been Hamish Watson's last game for Scotland.

I would say there is a reasonable chance he will retire internationally after this WC is done, so this game v Ireland may well have been his last opportunity.

I was told earlier this year that he was retiring although it was mega hush hush at the time. Tbh they didn’t even think he would get to the World Cup because he is basically broken.

Heuer27 wrote:

BigGee wrote:It does look like Toonie is looking forward not backwards with his selections.

That game against Romsnia could possibly have been Hamish Watson's last game for Scotland.

I would say there is a reasonable chance he will retire internationally after this WC is done, so this game v Ireland may well have been his last opportunity.

I was told earlier this year that he was retiring although it was mega hush hush at the time. Tbh they didn’t even think he would get to the World Cup because he is basically broken.

He looked in pretty decent form last weekend, but as it has been well pointed out, it was Romania

I guess we need to trust the coaching staff that they do know what is going on.

Let's not forget as well that Darge is a fantastic prospect, who is playing very well.

It is also a very expensive luxury to have a specialist OS on the bench!

Ireland to name an unchanged team apart from Sheehan.

To me Crosbie is the type of player that is better starting than asking him to make an impact. He's a workhorse and heavy traffic carrier, whose unlikely to make a key turnover or dynamic carry late in the game (at least he's never really done that at international level).

Tell you what though Townsend really hasn't shown any sentiment in his selections. He could easily have picked Mcinally for the original squad or Watson to start this game but didn't because he thought there were better options.

Real shame for Hamish though if that's really it!

RDW wrote:

Real shame for Hamish though if that's really it!

There's worst games to end your international career on, than a 84pt win and a try in a world cup in France.

Agree on Crosbie being more of a starter than a sub. Then again, if Mbawza can't do 80 for whatever reason, it allows us to keep some size in the backrow.

M Fagerson is not in his finest form but he is still a solid option and covers Dempsey, something Watson/Crosbie can't do.

I would prefer Harris over Smith as H Jones can cover 15, but I understand the logic.

Going to be a brutal game. If we can get an early try or two, maybe we can put some doubt into the Irish team

Hazel Sapling wrote:Agree on Crosbie being more of a starter than a sub. Then again, if Mbawza can't do 80 for whatever reason, it allows us to keep some size in the backrow.

M Fagerson is not in his finest form but he is still a solid option and covers Dempsey, something Watson/Crosbie can't do.

I would prefer Harris over Smith as H Jones can cover 15, but I understand the logic.

Going to be a brutal game. If we can get an early try or two, maybe we can put some doubt into the Irish team

It's the hope...

jimbopip wrote:

Hazel Sapling wrote:Agree on Crosbie being more of a starter than a sub. Then again, if Mbawza can't do 80 for whatever reason, it allows us to keep some size in the backrow.

M Fagerson is not in his finest form but he is still a solid option and covers Dempsey, something Watson/Crosbie can't do.

I would prefer Harris over Smith as H Jones can cover 15, but I understand the logic.

Going to be a brutal game. If we can get an early try or two, maybe we can put some doubt into the Irish team

It's the hope...

Thats what kills you!

So Smith is on the bench with Horne making up a 6:2 split. Jones goes off early in the first half, what then? Tuipulotu to outside centre and Russell to inside centre with Kinghorn taking over at fly half? Graham can cover fullback whilst Steyn could cover wing and centre. Redpath is a versatile backline option as well. I think that is the one selection that is really puzzling me.

Smith has played in the centres as well, but not frequently. If it is early in the game, they may put him in at 13 and keep Finn at 10.

BigGee wrote:Smith has played in the centres as well, but not frequently. If it is early in the game, they may put him in at 13 and keep Finn at 10.

If we lose Shug we can play Blarehorn, Doohey or Smith at 13.

There is the option of Blarehorn at 10 with Dancer-Shona in the centres. It would give Dancer more time after receiving the ball in attack but also means he has to do a lot more defending when they have the ball.

There is also the option of Darge at 12.

jimbopip wrote:

BigGee wrote:Smith has played in the centres as well, but not frequently. If it is early in the game, they may put him in at 13 and keep Finn at 10.

If we lose Shug we can play Blarehorn, Doohey or Smith at 13.

There is the option of Blarehorn at 10 with Dancer-Shona in the centres. It would give Dancer more time after receiving the ball in attack but also means he has to do a lot more defending when they have the ball.

There is also the option of Darge at 12.

Or he could just pick Harris so H Jones covers 12/15 and Harris covers 13 and either Jones or Harris can cover wing

Hazel, Hazel

How long have we been at this? How many permutations have we discussed? How many reasoned arguments have been rehearsed on these boards?

THE TOMBOLA HAS SPOKEN.

Like Vladimir and Estragon we are merely waiting for....well Saturday night. The rest is silence.

Tramptastic wrote:

I genuinely can't tell you which part of the set up they are in, theres not many of them on their team so they've asked i keep shtum

but that'll be the side like

Obviously don't answer this, but my vote is they're either in media or social media teams somewhere and they get passed the team early to work on team sheet graphics to go out online.

On another matter, I know this is sacrilege to question the anointed child but Darge worries me for this game. IMO his carrying is still some way below the rest of his game and isn't where we need it to be against a side like Ireland. There you go, I said it. Come at me!

I reckon they work in the bookies next door to the Pretty Pugs  grooming salon where Lagartha Fagerson takes Ragnar's little darlings when Scotland are in camp. It's an open secret that he's a real chatterbox and constantly on the blower to Lagartha telling her what's what with the squad. Also, Big Alice from Pretty Pugs (anal glands expert) has been taking her winnings home in a wheelbarrow recently: 250/1 on a Scouser playing for Scotland at the start of the tournament!!!!

As Sherlock once said, "Once you eliminate the impossible what is left is the only possible solution.Elementary, Watson."

Ireland (v Scotland):

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(34)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)(19)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(55)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(50)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(24)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(captain)(116)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(28)

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(57)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)(19)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(70)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(44)
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(77)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(99)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(55)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(34)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)(24)
17. David Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)(54)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)(34)
19. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(58)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)(39)
21. Conor Murray Munster/Garryowen)(110)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(8)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)(14).

So happy for big Stu McCloskey getting a run in the RWC for real. Bring on the Bangor Bulldozer

Pete330v2 wrote:Ireland (v Scotland):

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(34)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)(19)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(55)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(50)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(24)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(captain)(116)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(28)

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(57)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)(19)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(70)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(44)
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(77)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(99)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(55)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(34)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)(24)
17. David Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)(54)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)(34)
19. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(58)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)(39)
21. Conor Murray Munster/Garryowen)(110)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(8)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)(14).

Looks rubbish.

George Carlin wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Ireland (v Scotland):

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(34)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)(19)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(55)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(50)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(24)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(captain)(116)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(28)

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(57)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)(19)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(70)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(44)
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(77)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(99)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(55)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(34)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)(24)
17. David Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)(54)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)(34)
19. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(58)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)(39)
21. Conor Murray Munster/Garryowen)(110)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(8)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)(14).

Looks rubbish.

In the forwards, I would argue that only Schoe would have any legitimate claim of getting into that team in front of his opposite man, and even then I would probably pick Porter. It just shows the scale of the task - it's not mission impossible, but it's not far off.

Scotland are going to come out swinging, Ireland need to hold out for the first 10/15 and take whatever points are on offer.
Henderson is in to sort the lineout I assume.
To be honest I would have had Baird on the bench, not that Ryan is a bad replacement, I just like Baird's impact he makes in the second half.
Also glad to see big Stu on the bench, hope he gets a decent runout.
It's going to be a battle

Looks like Ryan had a hand issue and that's maybe why Henderson is in from the start. Fit enough to be on bench but maybe they didn't want to risk it getting worse by starting him.

Henshaw is out, likely for at least a few weeks. Good to see big Stu in the squad

Two great teams, no big names missing with injury, and what promises to be a great match. Thankfully I have tickets and am looking forward to great weekend, even if my wife (not really a rugby fan) has decided to go with her Scottish heritage. At least someone in the household will be happy with the outcome whatever it is.

The Ireland line out as been poor, even with Herring throwing to Henderson in one game, and I wonder if we will see a number being stolen by both sides. I am hoping that the resilience shown in the SA game will see Ireland through against a passionate Scottish side who will throw everything at them, in tight and out wide.

An Ireland win, after all RWC secret rule 5b(iii) says Ireland go out in the quarter-finals and we have to get there yet

Apparently Finn has never scored a drop goal for Scotland, which is a worry. It's be a good tactic early on I reckon instead of battering away at a relentless Irish defence.

Imagine if we're 6 up with 2 to go and need a Finn drop goal converted...!

Unclear wrote:Two great teams, no big names missing with injury, and what promises to be a great match.  Thankfully I have tickets and am looking forward to great weekend, even if my wife (not really a rugby fan) has decided to go with her Scottish heritage.  At least someone in the household will be happy with the outcome whatever it is.

The Ireland line out as been poor, even with Herring throwing to Henderson in one game, and I wonder if we will see a number being stolen by both sides.  I am hoping that the resilience shown in the SA game will see Ireland through against a passionate Scottish side who will throw everything at them, in tight and out wide.

An Ireland win, after all RWC secret rule 5b(iii) says Ireland go out in the quarter-finals and we have to get there yet

But not as bad as the Scottish one which has been childlike

RDW wrote:Apparently Finn has never scored a drop goal for Scotland, which is a worry. It's be a good tactic early on I reckon instead of battering away at a relentless Irish defence.

Imagine if we're 6 up with 2 to go and need a Finn drop goal converted...!

Can Kinghorn drop goals? Or Horne? It is a slight worry, all the best sides have someone who can do it. World Cup seems to be the one tournament where that tactic comes into play more often.

Even if we do win the AB’s are looking better with every game. I just hope it’s a tight one and scotland can stay in it until the end.

And pass it to Duhan!!

bsando wrote:

RDW wrote:Apparently Finn has never scored a drop goal for Scotland, which is a worry. It's be a good tactic early on I reckon instead of battering away at a relentless Irish defence.

Imagine if we're 6 up with 2 to go and need a Finn drop goal converted...!

Can Kinghorn drop goals? Or Horne? It is a slight worry, all the best sides have someone who can do it. World Cup seems to be the one tournament where that tactic comes into play more often.

Even if we do win the AB’s are looking better with every game. I just hope it’s a tight one and scotland can stay in it until the end.

And pass it to Duhan!!

It's just not in our DNA to kick drop goals. I wouldn't be surprised if the last time we kicked one was chunky Weir's last minute win over Italy!

I believe Finn has kicked drops for racing. It’s just for Scotland it isn’t a tactic. I hope.

Oh what I’d give for a 9-0 win

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67024241

Anyone seen this? Have to say I think that whatever confidence they are trying to portray/engender within the camp this type of talk in the media is mind-bendingly stupid, we are not exactly coming at this with a track record which backs up that statement and they've just handed Farrells team talk to him on a plate.  

Sometimes I don't think our boys are that smart.

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:

Tramptastic wrote:

I genuinely can't tell you which part of the set up they are in, theres not many of them on their team so they've asked i keep shtum

but that'll be the side like

Obviously don't answer this, but my vote is they're either in media or social media teams somewhere and they get passed the team early to work on team sheet graphics to go out online.

On another matter, I know this is sacrilege to question the anointed child but Darge worries me for this game. IMO his carrying is still some way below the rest of his game and isn't where we need it to be against a side like Ireland. There you go, I said it. Come at me!

Can neither confirm nor deny your theory on the mole... but aye

EST wrote:

George Carlin wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Ireland (v Scotland):

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(34)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht/Corinthians)(19)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(55)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(50)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(24)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(captain)(116)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(28)

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(57)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster/Lansdowne)(19)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(70)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(44)
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(77)
6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(99)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(55)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(34)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)(24)
17. David Kilcoyne (Munster/UL Bohemians)(54)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht/Buccaneers)(34)
19. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(58)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)(39)
21. Conor Murray Munster/Garryowen)(110)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(8)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster/Bangor)(14).

Looks rubbish.

In the forwards, I would argue that only Schoe would have any legitimate claim of getting into that team in front of his opposite man, and even then I would probably pick Porter.  It just shows the scale of the task - it's not mission impossible, but it's not far off.

I would pick Shug ahead of Ringrose, Graham ahead of Lowe and maybe Gray Sr ahead of Henderson. Possibly Sutherland ahead of Kilcoyne on the bench (Still think Sutherland is our best loosehead both on and off the ball).

EST wrote:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67024241

Anyone seen this? Have to say I think that whatever confidence they are trying to portray/engender within the camp this type of talk in the media is mind-bendingly stupid, we are not exactly coming at this with a track record which backs up that statement and they've just handed Farrells team talk to him on a plate.   

Sometimes I don't think our boys are that smart.

I get that but then isn't that just our cultural nihilism coming in to the mix? "dont celebrate ourselves cause it'll just go wrong!". The guys have to believe they can beat Ireland otherwise whats the point?

Blairhorn is just fulfilling his destiny as talented Scottish outspoken fullback.

Tbf I'm with tramptastic, if you don't believe you can or will win you may as well not bother! Ireland's run will end at some point, it'd be amazing if we were the ones who managed to do it.

Not saying I think we will but I'd rather the boys go in with a never say die attitude than "oh f**k these guys are invincible"

Scotland fans, I wonder what the mood in Scotland would be if Scotland beat Ireland by a point but go out?