Summary

  • Scotland & Ireland rugby team announcements

  • Gregor Townsend makes three changes for Scotland

  • Ireland made four changes as Bundee Aki on bench

  • Andy Farrell news conference scheduled for 16:00

  • Both sides can still win Six Nations title on Saturday

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  1. Postpublished at 15:33 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (Sat, 14:10 GMT)

    Ireland Rugby

    In case you missed it earlier, here's a reminder of Ireland's team.

    Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune; Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey; Tommy O'Brien; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O'Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

    Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, CIaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.

  2. Back for morepublished at 15:30 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Andy FarrellImage source, Getty Images

    Hi, all! Welcome back.

    Ireland have released their team to take on Scotland and we'll be hearing from Andy Farrell in about half an hour.

    We'll have updates from his press conference, and you can also get in touch on his team selection using Get Involved.

  3. Be right backpublished at 14:44 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    So, there we have it. The 23 players who will try and win the Triple Crown and maybe even the title have been named by Ireland.

    We're going to take a quick break, but we'll be back at 15:30 GMT to build-up to Andy Farrell's press conference at 16:00 GMT.

    Be sure to join us then, but for now here's the headlines from Ireland's team:

    • James Ryan ruled out with a calf injury as Farrell makes four changes
    • Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy and Tommy O'Brien come into the side.
    • Bundee Aki set for first appearance of this year's Six Nations off bench
    • Darragh Murray set for Ireland debut after being named among replacements.

    See you soon!

  4. Get Involvedpublished at 14:41 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Bundee is a fabulous player but only covers one position, and that is already being very well served by Stu.Strange selection

    Donald, Barnsley

  5. Postpublished at 14:38 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    In case you missed it, here's a reminder of Ireland's starting team to take on Scotland.

    Ireland team to face ScotlandImage source, Getty Images
  6. Postpublished at 14:34 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Alistair has raised an interesting point.

    If they win, it would be a fourth Triple Crown for Ireland in the last five years.

    Scotland haven't won it since 1990.

    Will that be a factor?

  7. Get Involvedpublished at 14:31 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    It's a huge game at the Aviva, but I sense it will mean more to Scotland than Ireland. Will the Scots be able to handle the pressure in uncharted waters? Will Ireland's experience of winning big games come to the fore? Will be entertaining for sure...

    Alistair, South Queensferry

  8. Postpublished at 14:27 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    James Ryan has been a key player for Ireland over the years but there won't be any fireworks on Saturday.

    He's been ruled out by a calf injury, which has offered Darragh Murray his chance.

    James RyanImage source, Getty Images
  9. Get Involvedpublished at 14:23 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    What does Stockdale have to do to get back to back games? Would have preferred O’Brien on the bench instead of Aki to cover more positions and offer a backup wing option

    Bert, Belfast

  10. 'They are very dangerous'published at 14:19 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Ireland Rugby Social
    Listen on BBC Sounds

    What will be the difference on Saturday?

    Former Ireland wing Andrew Trimble thinks physicality will be key.

    Media caption,

    Andrew Trimble on Ireland v Scotland

  11. Get Involvedpublished at 14:15 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    What do you think of Ireland's team?

    Who was unlucky to miss out? Will Aki and Murray make a difference off the bench?

    Let us know using Get Involved.

  12. Who is Darragh Murray?published at 14:13 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Darragh MurrayImage source, Getty Images

    After Nathan Doak was handed his debut last week, there will be another first cap as Darragh Murray has been named on the bench to take on Scotland.

    The 24-year-old second row made his Connacht debut in 2022 and established himself as a key member of the United Rugby Championship side.

    At international level he has featured for Ireland's Under-20s, Emerging Ireland and Ireland A, and he is now set for his debut in the Six Nations in Dublin on Saturday in the absence of James Ryan.

  13. Aki returnspublished at 14:09 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Bundee AkiImage source, Getty Images

    It will be a first appearance of this year's Six Nations for Bundee Aki, who was suspended for the start of the tournament.

    The centre was handed a four-game ban for "verbal abuse and disrespect" towards match officials in Connacht's United Rugby Championship (URC) loss to Leinster in January.

    The 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year nominee was handed a six-week ban - two of which are suspended - after an independent disciplinary committee hearing found that he "engaged with the match official team after the game on several occasions".

    Aki, 35, missed Connacht's URC game against Zebre and Ireland's Six Nations fixtures against France, Italy and England.

    He wasn't included in Ireland's win over Wales despite being free to play.

  14. Postpublished at 14:06 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Ireland Rugby

    So, what are the headlines?

    Tommy O'Brien has come in for Jacob Stockdale, while Nick Timoney and Ronan Kelleher drop to the bench for Josh van der Flier and Dan Sheehan.

    There's no James Ryan in the matchday squad as Joe McCarthy returns.

    The bench is also interesting. Bundee Aki is set to make his first appearance of the Six Nations as he has been handed the #23 jersey, while there will be a debut for Connacht second row Darragh Murray.

  15. Team newspublished at 14:03 GMT 12 March
    Breaking

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Ireland Rugby

    Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune; Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey; Tommy O'Brien; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O'Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarty, Tadhg Beirne; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

    Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, CIaran Frawley, Bundee Aki.

  16. Team news - Four changes for Irelandpublished at 14:00 GMT 12 March
    Breaking

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Ireland Rugby

    Dan Sheehan, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier and Tommy O'Brien all come into the side.

    Bundee Aki is on the bench.

    Full team news to follow.

  17. Postpublished at 13:58 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Andy Farrell's Ireland team will be dropping any moment now.

    Stay tuned.

  18. Squad updatepublished at 13:56 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Billy BohanImage source, Getty Images

    Uncapped loose-head prop Billy Bohan has rejoined the Ireland squad before Saturday's Six Nations Triple Crown decider against Scotland, with Jeremy Loughman ruled out.

    Loughman started Ireland's first three games but missed Friday night's win over Wales, with Tom O'Toole - normally a tight-head - stepping in.

    Connacht's Bohan, 20, was added to the Ireland squad before the opening game against France as a replacement for the injured Jack Boyle.

    Ireland head coach Andy Farrell is especially short at loose-head with Andrew Porter and Paddy McCarthy also unavailable.

    The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) also said uncapped Munster back row Brian Gleeson will train with the squad this week before Saturday's game at Aviva Stadium.

    Cormac Izuchukwu, Jude Postlethwaite and Bryn Ward have been released back to Ulster for the province's rescheduled United Rugby Championship game away to Edinburgh on Friday (19:45 GMT).

  19. What is the Triple Crown?published at 13:53 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Both sides will have their eyes on the big prize on Saturday, but one thing we know for sure is that the Triple Crown will be won in Dublin.

    But what is it, and how can it be won? Faith Harper has all the details.

    Media caption,

    What is the Triple Crown?

  20. Who did Scotland name?published at 13:49 GMT 12 March

    Ireland v Scotland (14:10 GMT)

    Finn Russell celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist form a new-look second row, and Zander Fagerson is back in the starting XV, as Scotland chase the victory away to Ireland that could lead to a first Six Nations title.

    Locks Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, who started in the wins over England and France, are ruled out through injury.

    Gilchrist will win his 88th cap, becoming Scotland's all-time record appearance maker for a second row. Williamson is given a second chance after his early removal in the comeback victory in Wales.

    Having come off the bench at the halfway stage against France, Zander Fagerson reclaims his place from D'Arcy Rae.

    Winger Kyle Steyn, who has scored three tries in the tournament, is fit after going off with a gashed leg last weekend.

    There are changes on the bench as back-row Magnus Bradbury, lock Alex Craig and winger/full-back Kyle Rowe make the matchday 23 for this first time in this campaign.