SCOTLAND are hosting Ireland in a crucial Six Nations fixture at Murrayfield.
After a famous victory against England, the Scots were beaten by Wales in their second match after being reduced to 14 men.
3
But they still have a chance of winning the Six Nations if they can triumph in their remaining three games.
Meanwhile Ireland suffered narrow defeats to the Welsh and France in their opening matches before bouncing back with a thumping win over Italy.
What time does Scotland vs Ireland kick off?
- Scotland take on Ireland on Sunday, March 14 – TODAY.
- The match kicks off at 3pm UK time.
- It takes place at Murrayfield.
- Last time the sides met, Ireland ran out 31-16 winners in December’s Autumn Nations Cup 3rd/4th place play-off in Dublin.
What TV channel is Scotland vs Ireland on and can I live stream it?
- Scotland vs Ireland is live on BBC One.
- Coverage commences at 2.20pm – 40 minutes before kick-off.
- To stream the game live, head to the BBC iPlayer.
- Virgin One is showing all Six Nations games live in Ireland.
Can I watch Scotland vs Ireland for free?
- Yes. BBC One and the BBC iPlayer are FREE for all UK viewers.
Team news
Zander Fagerson misses out as he continues his ban for being sent off against Wales.
Cameron Redpath is also out injured following his outstanding display against England.
However, flanker Jamie Ritchie is back for Gregor Townsend’s side.
Blade Thomson, Darcy Graham and James Lang drop out of the starting XV.
Peter O’Mahony sits this one out for Ireland through suspension – also for a red card against Wales.
Keith Earls replaces Jordan Larmour in the back line while Cian Healy and Rob Herring replace Dave Kilcoyne and Ronan Kelleher.
3
3
Latest odds
Scotland 11/10
Draw 20/1
Ireland 4/5
*Odds from Ladbrokes correct as of Friday, March 12
What they said
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: “It’s about an 80-minute performance and making the most of your opportunities.
“Two years ago, we played very well in the first-half at Murrayfield, and the two we’ve played in Dublin, parts of the game have gone our way.
“It’s going to be a real physical contest.
“We know Ireland will have time in our 22 and we’ve got to make sure they don’t come away with points on a regular basis.”
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: “We know they are confident coming into this game.
“They always seem confident, Scotland, before when they have played against us anyway.
“Certainly, they will be this time around.
“Obviously they had a red card against Wales so they played well in that game and the one before that was a special performance by them in Twickenham.
“So we know they will be brimming and ready for us come Sunday,”
-
TEAM TALK
The visitors gather for a pre-match team talk on the Murrayfield pitch.
Kick off is just over 45 minutes away!
Credit: PA:Press Association -
IRISH DOMINANCE
Ireland have won their last five Test rugby games against Scotland, scoring on average 25 points per game for only 10 conceded.
-
CJ’S DAY
Ireland number eight CJ Stander wins his 50th cap this afternoon.
The Lions candidate will be hoping to mark the occasion with a win.
-
IRELAND’S TOURNAMENT
And this is how Ireland’s 2021 campaign has played out so far.
A poor opening two rounds of games was followed by a predictable rout of Italy two weeks ago.
-
TALE OF THE TOURNAMENT
Here’s a look at Scotland’s schedule for the tournament.
An excellent start against England was followed by a heartbreaking defeat to Wales, before the scheduled game against Les Bleus was postponed due to a Coronavirus outbreak in the French camp.
-
STAGE IS SET
A chilly Murrayfield is all set to host this afternoon’s clash.
Kick off is just over an hour away.
Credit: PA:Press Association 
Credit: PA:Press Association -
AS IT STANDS
Here’s a look at the Six Nations table ahead of kick off.
The postponed game between Scotland and France two weeks ago means Gregor Townsend’s side have played just two games of the championship that was originally scheduled to finish next week.
Crazily despite being fifth in the table they can still potentially win the title.
-
CAN SCOTLAND STILL WIN THE SIX NATIONS?
- Scotland CAN still win the Six Nations, however they will need to win all three of their remaining matches.
- The Scots face Ireland at home, followed by Italy at home and finally France away.
- Should Wales pick up two points or more against France, Scotland will be unable to win the Six Nations regardless of their results.
- But if Scotland win all of their remaining matches with a bonus point and Wales are beaten in Paris without picking up any bonus points, they will lift the trophy.
- A bonus point is obtained when a team scores four tries or more in a match or when a losing team is beaten by no more than seven points.
-
TRY TIME
Ireland have scored three or more tries in six of their last seven games against Scotland in the Six Nations, including in each of their last three trips to Murrayfield.
We should be in for a high scorer today.
-
TOWNSEND TALKS
Here’s what Scotland boss Gregor Townsend had to say in his pre match press conference:
“We had prepared well for our postponed game against France, and the players have adapted well to the change of plans and have brought real energy and focus to our training sessions.
“Playing Ireland is always a physical affair and one that demands you keep stepping up to make tackles or contest for possession.
“They have played well in their opening three games and have some outstanding players in their squad.
“It should be a cracking game.”
-
INSIDE THE DRESSING ROOM
A look inside the Scotland dressing room at Murrayfield.
Defeat today would eliminate the slim hopes Scotland still have of a Six Nations title.
-
IRELAND BENCH
Andy Farrell has these men at his disposal off the Ireland bench:
16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Andrew Porter, 19. Ryan Baird, 20. Jack Conan, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Billy Burns, 23. Jordan Larmour
-
SCOTLAND SUBS
Here’s a look at the options off the bench for Gregor Townsend:
16. David Cherry, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Simon Berghan, 19. Grant Gilchrist, 20. Nick Haining, 21. Scott Steele, 22. Huw Jones, 23. Darcy Graham
-
IRELAND STARTING XV
Peter O’Mahony sits this one out for Ireland through suspension after his red card against Wales.
Keith Earls replaces Jordan Larmour in the back line while Cian Healy and Rob Herring replace Dave Kilcoyne and Ronan Kelleher.
15 Hugo Keenan, 14. Keith Earls, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Jonathan Sexton, 9. Jamison Gibson-Park
1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. James Ryan, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Will Connors, 8. CJ Stander
-
SCOTLAND STARTING XV
Zander Fagerson misses out as he continues his ban for being sent off against Wales.
Cameron Redpath is also out injured, but Jamie Ritchie is back for Gregor Townsend’s side.
Blade Thomson, Darcy Graham and James Lang drop out of the starting XV for the home side.
15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price
1. Rory Sutherland, 2. George Turner, 3. WP Nel, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Matt Fagerson
-
GOOD AFTERNOON
Welcome to our live blog of the final fixture of Round Four in the 2021 Six Nations.
Scotland welcome Ireland to Murrayfield knowing that they still have an outside chance of the Six Nations title.
If Gregor Townsend’s side win their three remaining games and other results go their way then skipper Stuart Hogg could still yet lift the Six Nations trophy.
It’s going to be hard work though, as Ireland have won sixteen out of the last nineteen meetings between the sides in the tournament.
Scotland have also failed to score a second half try in each of their last seven home games against Ireland.
It’s been a disappointing campaign so far for Andy Farrell’s side after two defeats in their opening two games against Wales and France.
An emphatic 48-10 win against Italy in Rome followed that, but today’s game should be a much tighter affair.
Andy Farrell has made three changes to the side that started in Rome two weeks ago, while Gregor Townsend makes four changes to the Scotland side that started against Wales a month ago.
Kick off is at 3pm and the full team news is coming up next.
