Ireland vs Scotland
1st February 16:45hrs
Rugby – Six Nations
Pick Ireland -13 Points Handicap
Bookmaker Marathonbet
Odds: 6/5 odds taken 18:12 GMT, Wednesday 29th January
Ireland finished third in last year’s Six Nations Championship behind Wales and England. They will be looking for a strong start at the Aviva on the weekend when they host Scotland to open this latest campaigns.
The Scots put just one win on the board in the last campaign. They have undergone some big changes since crashing out of last year’s World Cup. Will they be positive changes that can get them a win in Ireland?
Table of Contents
Ireland strong home favourites
The Irish are under the guidance of head coach Andy Farrell now and he immediately gave the captaincy job for this campaign to Johnny Sexton. Ireland do look to be in the position of being at the start of a new four-year cycle ahead of the next World Cup.
There are not many players who are guaranteed a starting spot on the team sheet at the moment. Ireland are looking for the kind of players that they just can’t leave out. The Irish have three home games in this Championship and it could be a matter of starting to lean towards the inexperienced. There really should be a nod to the future such as fly-half back up Billy Burns and Ross Byrne.
Changes are necessary. Their loss to Japan at last year’s World Cup was seismic. Going home against New Zealand in the quarter-finals was expected. So a new dawn is upon the Irish who have a strong head to head going against Scotland.
They have won five of the last six clashes with the Scots in the tournament. Ireland have won their last four against the Scottish in the Six Nations at Lansdowne Road. Each of those wins have been by a margin of at least ten points.
All change for Scotland too
Scotland are in the same boat as Ireland. It has been shake-up time for them. Greig Laidlaw, John Barclay along with Tommy Seymour have retired. Finn Russell will miss the start of the Six Nations because of suspension. Head coach Gregor Townsend has been ruthless as well, cutting stalwarts such as Pete Horne from the squad.
Stuart Hogg has been handed the captain role. Starting at number 10 in his first Six Nations start is Adam Hastings, filling in for Russell. Whichever way this is looked at, Scotland looks to be uncertain and unsteady in the pack. It’s hard to see them pulling together the options to take on the Irish up front across 80 minutes of action.
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But will Scotland secure enough ball to start throwing it wide and bringing wingers Blair Kinghorn and Sean Maitland into play? The Scots were dumped out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup by Japan who won a deciding duel in the group stage. Scotland had already been blasted apart by Ireland in their opening group stage game. They may have a long way to go to turn the tables on the Irish.
Ireland vs Scotland Betting Advice
Ireland can win this one up front. They have quality there in the likes of Tadhg Furlong, CJ Stander, Caelen Doris and Josh van der Flier. Moving forward and trying to heal the wounds of the World Cup, that is a huge strength the Irish can play to.
Key Facts – Ireland vs Scotland Betting Tip
- Ireland have won their last four Six Nations home games against Scotland
- Ireland have won five of their last six against Scotland in the tournament
- Scotland took just one win in last season’s Six Nations
Scotland have desperately tried to shake things up to head in a new direction. But the same old problems may well remain and they will probably fall short in meeting the Irish head to head up front in the big battles. Ireland may well be able to cover a sizeable -13 handicap.
The best betting odds for Ireland vs Scotland
Ireland to win: 1/7 at Bet365
Draw: 40/1 at Bet365
Scotland: 5/1 at Bet365
