The Six Nations’ two leading sides go head-to-head in Edinburgh as Scotland takes on Grand Slam hopefuls Ireland at Murrayfield, looking to wrestle the top spot away from Andy Farrell’s side with a victory.
Scotland’s hopes of a Grand Slam were dashed in a Saint-Denis thriller against France last time out, losing 32-21 despite a second-half fightback. Meanwhile, Ireland made it three wins from three in Rome, holding off a bright Italy comeback to secure a 34-20 victory.
When Sexton and O'Driscoll combine, special things happen ☘️#AwakenAnticipation | #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/4JDM062Jqi
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 8, 2023
Scotland’s play throughout the tournament has shown that their second-placed position is no fluke, scoring some brilliantly worked tries against England and Wales in their first two games. Their 29-23 victory at Twickenham was their third in a row over the auld enemy, a feat not achieved since 1972. A 35-7 drubbing of Wales followed at home as they suffocated the visitors into submission and crossed the whitewash five times.
Ireland also recorded a big win over Wales, with a 34-10 victory on the opening weekend getting their campaign off to a strong start. Next up were defending champions France, who are just one place behind Ireland at the top of World Rugby’s rankings, but that gulf looked massive by full-time though as Ireland dominated Les Bleus to win 32-19 and take full charge of the race for the title.
Big match focused! 😤#TeamOfUs | #GuinnessSixNations
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 9, 2023
France’s next match, against Scotland, was a wild one. Inside the first 12 minutes, there were two tries scored and two red cards brandished, with Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist and France prop Mohamed Haouas dismissed within moments of each other for respective high tackles. Unfortunately for Scotland, the early tries were scored by France, who added a third not long after. Huw Jones responded with a brace either side of half-time, and despite Finn Russell crossing to close the gap further, France’s fourth try at the death sealed the victory for Les Bleus.
Scotland v Ireland.#AsOne pic.twitter.com/QZUaoR2nQh
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 11, 2023
Ireland raced into a rapid-fire lead of their own against Italy, with captain James Ryan crossing inside 120 seconds, but Italy responded immediately with a score of their own. Three further tries followed from Farrell’s side, but Italy kept themselves in the fight by scoring a breakaway intercept right on half-time. The points dried up in the second half, but Mack Hansen’s late score, his second of the game, got Ireland home with a third straight bonus-point win.
Scotland vs Ireland kick-off time
Scotland host Ireland in the Six Nations Championship at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. GMT on Sunday, March 12, 2023.
Here’s how that time translates to major time zones around the world:
| Location | Date | Time |
| UK | Sun, Mar. 12 | 15:00 GMT |
| Australia | Mon, Mar. 13 | 02:00 AEDT |
| Canada | Sun, Mar. 12 | 10:00 ET |
| New Zealand | Mon, Mar. 13 | 04:00 NZDT |
| USA | Sun, Mar. 12 | 11:00 ET |
| India | Sun, Mar. 12 | 20:00 IST |
| Singapore | Sun, Mar. 12 | 23:00 SGT |
| Malaysia | Sun, Mar. 12 | 23:00 MYT |
Scotland vs Ireland live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch the match in some of the major territories:
| TV channel | Streaming | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | — | fuboTV, Peacock, CNBC |
| Canada | — | DAZN |
| UK | ITV One | ITV X |
| Australia | — | Stan Sport |
| New Zealand | — | Sky Sport NOW |
| India | — | Premier Sports Asia |
| Hong Kong | — | Premier Sports Asia |
| Malaysia | — | Premier Sports Asia |
| Singapore | — | Premier Sports Asia |
USA: All games are streaming live on Peacock and will also be available through fuboTV. However, they will also be repeated on CNBC on delay, usually by a couple of hours.
UK: Matches will be shown on BBC and ITV, with S4C also broadcasting in Wales.
Australia: Six Nations coverage is provided by Stan Sport.
India: Premier Sports Asia is the main place to watch the Six Nations.
Scotland vs Ireland confirmed line-ups
Scotland’s free-flowing backline remains unchanged for the fourth straight game in this year’s Six Nations, with Huw Jones their form player at the moment. The Glasgow centre is the tournament’s top scorer with three tries, and his combination with club teammate Sione Tuipulotu in midfield could unlock an Irish defence that has been near-unbreachable. Behind them is full-back Stuart Hogg, who will win his 100th Scotland cap in this game.
In the pack, Gilchrist’s suspension following his red card against France sees Jonny Gray pack down at lock, joining his elder brother Richie in the second row. Hamish Watson was the victim of Haouas’ red card-worthy tackle, leaving the field after 10 minutes in Saint-Denis, and is replaced in the XV by Jack Dempsey. He’ll start at number eight, displacing Matt Fagerson, who joins the blindside flank and pushes captain Jamie Ritchie to openside.
Scotland starting XV: Stuart Hogg, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Matt Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie, Jack Dempsey
Scotland replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Simon Berghan, Scott Cummings, Hamish Watson, Ali Price, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris
The major returnee for Ireland is tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong, who missed the first three games of the tournament with a shoulder injury. He’s put straight back into the starting side in jersey number three, while Dan Sheehan and Peter O’Mahony also return to the XV in place of Ronan Kelleher and Jack Conan.
Deputy half-backs Craig Casey and Ross Byrne impressed against Italy, but veterans Conor Murray and captain Johnny Sexton wear nine and 10 for this must-win match. They’re joined in the backline by Garry Ringrose at outside centre, who is back earlier than expected from an injury picked up against France to win his 50th cap. Jamison Gibson-Park and Robbie Henshaw make the bench, with both in line to make their first appearances of the tournament after respective lay-offs.
Ireland starting XV: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Ireland replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw
Scotland vs Ireland odds
Despite Scotland’s strong form shown in the tournament so far, it’s no surprise that the world’s No.1-side are odds-on favourites to pick up a fourth straight win at Murrayfield. All of our partner bookmakers back Ireland in Edinburgh.
| UK (Sky Bet) |
USA (BetMGM) |
Canada (Sports Interaction) |
Australia (Neds) |
|
| Scotland Win | 5/2 | +230 | 3.20 | 3.10 |
| Draw | 20/1 | +2000 | 22.00 | 26.00 |
| Ireland Win | 4/11 | -300 | 1.33 | 1.40 |
