Ireland take on Scotland this Saturday, 7 October, at the Stade de France, in their final Pool B game of the Rugby World Cup.
Both sides can still qualify for the quarter-finals, as can South Africa, and you can check the many permutations right here, although anything less than Ireland advancing to the last eight would be an unmitigated disaster.
Ireland are 11 point favourites in the bookies, and have recently beaten Scotland in the Six Nations - away from home - despite an injury crisis that forced Cian Healy into hooker, and Josh van der Flier into line-out throwing duty.
However, the Scots are still one of the top teams in the competition, and any complacency in Ireland's preparation or selection could prove disastrous.
Andy Farrell has stuck to something close to his strongest 23 for the majority of his tenure, and he won't, and shouldn't, shift away from this strategy against what is Scotland's strongest side since the 90s.
Rugby World Cup: Ireland Vs Scotland
12 March 2023; Tadhg Furlong of Ireland is tackled by Jamie Bhatti of Scotland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Scotland and Ireland at BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
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With Dan Sheehan getting valuable minutes against South Africa after his injury lay-off, we would bring him back into the starting XV, with Rónan Kelleher dropping to the bench.
Jack Conan is finally back the match fitness, and will need to game time ahead of the quarter-finals, so we have him in for Ryan Baird on the bench.
Ireland 23 Vs Scotland:
- Andrew Porter
- Dan Sheehan
- Tadhg Furlong
- Tadhg Beirne
- James Ryan
- Peter O'Mahony
- Josh van der Flier
- Caelan Doris
- Jamison Gibson-Park
- Johnny Sexton
- James Lowe
- Bundee Aki
- Garry Ringrose
- Mack Hansen
- Hugo Keenan
Replacement:
Dave Kilcoyne, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Robbie Henshaw.
SEE ALSO: Jacques Nienaber Not Happy With Question About Ireland-Scotland 'Match-Fixing'
