Head Coach Andy Farrell has named the ireland team to play scotland for Saturday’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations finale at a sold-out Aviva Stadium, kick-off 2. 10pm ET. Captain Caelan Doris leads the side as Ireland chase a trophy and a Triple Crown shootout. James Ryan was not considered because of a calf injury.
Ireland Team To Play Scotland — starting XV and bench
The selected starting fifteen and replacements were announced in full, with an experienced mix across the backs and forwards. The starting back three are Jamie Osborne, Rob Baloucoune and Tommy O’Brien; Stuart McCloskey and Garry Ringrose form the midfield; Jamison Gibson-Park and Jack Crowley link the half-backs. The front row is Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, with Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne in the second row. Jack Conan starts at blindside flanker, Josh van der Flier at openside and captain Caelan Doris completes the pack at number eight.
- Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray (in line for a Six Nations debut), Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.
Immediate reactions and selection debate
Andy Farrell said: “It is an incredible privilege for the squad to play at home in front of a packed Aviva Stadium with a trophy up for grabs. We know about the challenge facing us on Saturday and Scotland will travel with confidence. You’ll see two teams who like to attack and we’ll look to implement our game plan to get the performance that we want. When you factor in a loud home support, and with the game taking place on St Patrick’s weekend, it really has all the ingredients for a cracking contest. ”
Former international Andrew Trimble reflected on the wider contest and Scotland’s recent form, noting the psychological and consistency tests both sides face. Conor Murray has argued that Jack Conan has staked his claim for a starting back-row role, underlining internal selection debate heading into the finale.
Quick context and what’s next
This meeting follows the sides’ previous competitive encounter when Ireland retained the title by beating Scotland. Scotland arrive with renewed belief after a major victory last week that has fueled title hopes and a bid to end a long Triple Crown drought. Ireland recovered from an earlier defeat to France with wins that kept their title aspirations alive and set up this decisive home fixture.
All immediate match details stand: kick-off is at 2. 10pm ET on Saturday at a sold-out Aviva Stadium, with Andy Farrell’s announced lineup set to take the field. Expect late tactical calls around bench usage and the Six Nations debutant Darragh Murray to be monitored closely as the teams contest a prize and a Triple Crown place — the ireland team to play scotland will be under the spotlight from first whistle to final whistle.
