Ireland's final pool game of Rugby World Cup 2023 is upon us as the men in green prepare to face Scotland. With the potential for Ireland to finish top of their pool or be eliminated from the tournament altogether, there is as much jeopardy as can be expected in the final week before the knockout stages begin. Here is everything you need to know for this week's final pool B clash.
Ireland team named for Scotland clash
Andy Farrell has named his starting XV for Ireland's final pool game of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with Dan Sheehan returning to the 15 for the first time since his pre-World Cup injury.
There is also a start for Iain Henderson in the second row, while Peter O'Mahony will earn his 100th Irish cap in the back row. Jack Conan returns to the matchday 23, while Robbie Henshaw misses out with a hamstring injury which is set to keep him out for at least two weeks.
The full Ireland squad for Saturday's game is:
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster)
14. Mack Hansen (Connacht)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)
10. Johnny Sexton (Leinster) - captain
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster)
2. Dan Sheehan (Leinster)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Munster)
5. Iain Henderson (Ulster)
6. Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster)
17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster)
18. Finlay Bealham (Connacht)
19. James Ryan (Leinster)
20. Jack Conan (Leinster)
21. Conor Murray (Munster)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster)
23. Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
When is Ireland v Scotland?
Ireland play Scotland this Saturday in the Stade de France, Paris on Saturday night at 8pm (Irish time).
How to watch Ireland v Scotland
The game will be live on Virgin Media in Ireland and ITV in the UK. The match will also be available live on ITVX in the UK.
Virgin's commentary will be as follows:
Host: Joe Molloy
Guests: Rob Kearney, Matt Williams, Shane Horgan
Comms: Dave McIntyre & Alan Quinlan
Ireland v Scotland form guide
The Irish squad and fans alike have had a well earned week off after the enormity of their 13-8 victory over the Springboks. Despite what many have described as a game worthy of a final, Ireland still face a very real possibility that a lacklustre performance this weekend could see their World Cup journey ended at the pool stage for the first time since 2007. That's exactly what Scotland will be hoping for as former international, Jim Hamilton, described this Saturday's match on the Rugby Pod as "Scotland's biggest game ever." After being out muscled and altogether stifled by the South Africans in their opening pool match, going down 18-3, the Scots have bounced back to record large victories over Tonga and Romania. Here is the current standings in Ireland's pool;
Andy Farrell has the luxury of a full compliment to pick from this week after reporting a clean bill of health across the 33 man squad. With Dan Sheehan yet to make his first start and Jack Conan looking to make his first appearance of the tournament, Farrell will be looking to introduce some fresh legs despite the week break since their clash with the Boks. However, Ireland will want a relatively settled outfit and look to avoid making whole sale changes considering the jeopardy that the fixture poses. With so many potential outcomes for Pool B depending on this weekend's results, social media has provided a full run down of what each result would mean for the final outcome of the pool.
Final Pool B permutations at #RWC2023 with Ireland v Scotland the only match that impacts quarter-final qualification.
4-0 or 5-0 win for Scotland puts them through (with SA).
5-1 win for Scotland - it's complicated...
All other results put Ireland & South Africa through. pic.twitter.com/dqz8InuVZC— Kevin Millar (@topofthemoonGW) October 1, 2023
Ireland have not lost to Scotland since 2017.
Scottish Team News
Scotland also named their team on Thursday for this weekend's game against Ireland.
Despite impressing in the rout of Romania, Munster out-half Ben Healy is not included in the matchday 23. Finn Russell starts at 10, with coach Gregor Townsend opting for a 6-2 split on the bench. The Scotland team in full is:
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 (captain)
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
