Scotland v Ireland: RBS Six Nations preview
Last Updated: 21/03/15 4:22pm
Ireland will attempt to put their Cardiff disappointment behind them as they chase back-to-back Six Nations titles against Scotland in Murrayfield on Saturday.
The reigning champions' 10-game winning streak was ended by Wales last weekend but a victory in Edinburgh could see Joe Schmidt's men retain their title.
Having registered just four tries in as many games, the joint-lowest in the championship, Ireland need to rediscover their scoring touch against Scotland to boost their points difference, and leave England chasing a large tally against France.
Schmidt has made two changes to the side that lost in the Millennium Stadium. Cian Healy is promoted from the bench while his Leinster team-mate Luke Fitzgerald is rewarded for his good form at provincial level and makes his first Ireland start since 2011.
Ireland could not find a way past Wales' ferocious defence but they will have studied Scotland's loss in Twickenham, where England created - and squandered - a plethora of opportunities.
Despite their defensive deficiencies, Scotland looked lively in attack and have developed into a fine counter-attacking side, and head coach Vern Cotter has retained the same back division as they look to avoid a six successive Six Nations defeat at Murrayfield.
Stuart Hogg has been outstanding at full-back and has run 91 metres more than any other player with ball in hand during the championship. He also made some crucial try-saving tackles at Twickenham but needs more support from those in front of him.
Fellow Lion Ryan Grant comes into the front row, with Ireland expected to target Scotland's scrum, while Adam Ashe replaces Rob Harley on the blindside in the only two changes to their starting line-up.
The last four meetings between these teams have been won by the home side, including a World Cup warm-up fixture in 2011, but Scotland have not scored a try against Ireland since 2012 and have underperformed during this year’s championship.
Ireland's players will be keen to set the record straight after last weekend with a convincing victory, before then gathering around a television in Murrayfield to watch events unfold at Twickenham.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Dougie Fife, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c); 1 Ryan Grant, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Jim Hamilton, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Adam Ashe, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 David Denton.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Rob Harley, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Greig Tonks, 23 Tim Visser.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Devin Toner, 5 Paul O'Connell (c), 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Sean O'Brien, 8 Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.
