Ireland v Scotland: Five talking points ahead of their Six Nations clash
Last Updated: 19/03/16 4:27pm
We look at five talking points ahead of Ireland's Six Nations clash with Scotland on Saturday.
Who needs it more?
Before their win over Italy in round four, Scotland were under enormous pressure. Their Six Nations run of defeats were piling up, dating back to 2014. But the relieving win was joined by another, and Cotter is convinced his side is on the verge of realising their potential.
Ireland also started the Six Nations on the back foot. The departure of a legendary captain was just one reason the defence of their title would be a difficult one.
Although they started well in the opening 20 minutes against Wales in round one, it's been a struggle since then.
A loss for Ireland would leave them in second-last place at the end of the tournament, a sharp slide from the previous year. But even worse, six of Ireland's next seven internationals are against the top three sides in the world.
A three-test tour against South Africa is followed by a friendly against New Zealand in the US before facing the All Blacks once more in the autumn internationals to go with their showdown with Australia in the same series.
Bluntly, fifth place in the northern hemisphere is no way to prepare for that many games against the southern hemisphere.
Should Scotland win it would likely leave them in third place unless France dismantle England by a sizeable amount, while Ireland could finish fourth - even with a win.
Weir ahead of Horne
When Finn Russell left the field early against France, his replacement Peter Horne performed brilliantly to steer Scotland to a 29-18 win.
However, with Russell still ruled out this week, it's Duncan Weir who has been given the nod ahead of Horne. It is by no means a bizarre call given Weir's experience, but does seem slightly harsh on last week's capable replacement.
In announcing his side, Cotter was keen to point out how much of a collective effort Sunday's win was: "We were pleased with our sustained effort against France.
"I was happy with the way we adapted to losing Finn so early in the game. The team came together and was rewarded for their endeavour with the end result.
"Peter played really well when he came on. It wasn't easy for him.
"He gets himself back on the bench and we're hoping he'll bring the same contribution whether it's 10, 12 or 13 during the game."
Attacking 15s
Stuart Hogg was in superb attacking form against the French, orchestrating the winning try with a flick to Tim Visser, but his defensive capabilities have been called into question in the past.
Despite the perceived frailties, Sky Sports' Stuart Barnes backed the full-back's credentials in his column this week.
"The balance of attacking pluses can outweigh the odd defensive negative as Hogg gloriously emphasised," Barnes wrote on Monday.
Hoggs opposite number this weekend is no stranger himself to a microscope hovering over his tackling technique.
Simon Zebo's ability to unlock opposition defences is well documented, but he's not as effective without the ball, which is partly why Rob Kearney is most often preferred ahead of him.
This weekend's match could see two of the world's most exciting full-backs with ball in hand go head-to-head, as they bid to prove that scoring tries is the most important element of rugby.
Battle up front
It will be a great scrum battle as two in-form front rows come up against each other.
Alasdair Dickinson was superb for Scotland against France and really applied the pressure onto Rabah Slimani. Dickinson will be up against Mike Ross on Saturday who has also impressed this campaign.
WP Nel may have been bumped off by France full-back Scott Spedding but he has fast become the anchor for Scotland's scrum.
He will be up against Jack McGrath who has held off the experience of Cian Healy for the starting loosehead jersey. Both are excellent scrummagers and have good work rates around the paddock too. Nel will also need to be on his game because Healy - no slouch in the scrummaging department himself - will at some stage be thrown into the fray.
Tommy O'Donnell v John Hardie
Another player who stood out against France was Scotland's John Hardie who stood out in defence and in the breakdown. His 13 tackles against France were the best of the day for Scotland while he was a key man in the turnovers as well.
O'Donnell gets his chance after Josh van der Flier was ruled out with an injury and it is a chance for him to really stake his claim on the No 7 jersey.
Van der Flier has been excellent for Ireland and has proved his worth as an excellent scavenger. Like van der Flier, O'Donnell is very much in the mould of the more traditional No 7 and his battle with Hardie at the break down will play a huge role in who wins this game.
Ireland: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Andrew Trimble 13, Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 1 Jack McGrath, 2 Rory Best (capt), 3 Mike Ross, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 5 Devin Toner, 6 CJ Stander, 7 Tommy O'Donnell, 8 Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Nathan White, 19 Ultan Dillane, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Fergus McFadden.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Tim Swinson, 6 John Barclay, 7 John Hardie, 8 Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Moray Low, 19 Rob Harley, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Sean Lamont.