[2025 Six Nations] Scotland vs Ireland - 09/02/25

[Leonormous Boozer]

I don't count warm up games for this sort of thing. It's still 5 on the hop and 1 in 4 years with it included. (Were France even top 4 at the start of 21? Think that was when the mental RWC draw was done leaving Wales and England as Europe's top 2)

 

[AlRums]

World Cup warmups don't count, come on

Splitting hairs for the statement made

 

[retired9]

The hype about Scotland is annoying for me too, we have no substantial evidence to back it up.
What has happened is Scotland have become very competitive in the last few years and banished several monkeys (Twickenham, Paris, Wales, multiple Calcutta cups), so there is a bit of well founded optimism. The problem is that in 6N terms, they have not been able to catch the big boys when it matters (yet).

Scotland went 15 odd years with very little to be excited about, the dark days of Williams and Hadden, Robinson tried but didn't have the personnel, the other Aussie bloke was a disaster, it took until big Vern before things genuinely began to straighten out a bit.

For Sunday, I'd like to see Tom Jordan at 12 I think it's a better option for Russell and gives him some room to manoeuvre. The forwards need a massive performance, most of the last few games Ireland have nullified Finn by denying him any platform. The guy is a massive talent, but still human!

I fear Ireland may still win this, could be a 5 point game til 70mins then 2 scores make it look one sided.

still believe scotland have it in them, Ireland are more beatable than recent years, has to be a hell of an effort though just to get close.

 

[Derpus]

The hype about Scotland is annoying for me too, we have no substantial evidence to back it up.
What has happened is Scotland have become very competitive in the last few years and banished several monkeys (Twickenham, Paris, Wales, multiple Calcutta cups), so there is a bit of well founded optimism. The problem is that in 6N terms, they have not been able to catch the big boys when it matters (yet).

Scotland went 15 odd years with very little to be excited about, the dark days of Williams and Hadden, Robinson tried but didn't have the personnel, the other Aussie bloke was a disaster, it took until big Vern before things genuinely began to straighten out a bit.

For Sunday, I'd like to see Tom Jordan at 12 I think it's a better option for Russell and gives him some room to manoeuvre. The forwards need a massive performance, most of the last few games Ireland have nullified Finn by denying him any platform. The guy is a massive talent, but still human!

I fear Ireland may still win this, could be a 5 point game til 70mins then 2 scores make it look one sided.

still believe scotland have it in them, Ireland are more beatable than recent years, has to be a hell of an effort though just to get close.

Heard you've got a few more international imports coming through the recruitment tube. She'll be right.

 

[The Seeker]

I'm going with Scotland in this one.

 

[General Melchett]

.

The hype about Scotland is annoying for me too, we have no substantial evidence to back it up.
What has happened is Scotland have become very competitive in the last few years and banished several monkeys (Twickenham, Paris, Wales, multiple Calcutta cups), so there is a bit of well founded optimism. The problem is that in 6N terms, they have not been able to catch the big boys when it matters (yet).

Scotland went 15 odd years with very little to be excited about, the dark days of Williams and Hadden, Robinson tried but didn't have the personnel, the other Aussie bloke was a disaster, it took until big Vern before things genuinely began to straighten out a bit.

For Sunday, I'd like to see Tom Jordan at 12 I think it's a better option for Russell and gives him some room to manoeuvre. The forwards need a massive performance, most of the last few games Ireland have nullified Finn by denying him any platform. The guy is a massive talent, but still human!

I fear Ireland may still win this, could be a 5 point game til 70mins then 2 scores make it look one sided.

still believe scotland have it in them, Ireland are more beatable than recent years, has to be a hell of an effort though just to get close.

Scotland don't have a God given right to win the 6N and failure to do so isn't necessarily below par or a failure to meet expectations. If you look at bookies' odds (based on analysts' data) Scotland are never favourites to beat Ireland or France let alone win the whole thing. Sometimes you have to accept that 3rd place is your level (or even 4th if England get their act together). To win the 6N it would take a freakish couple of performances with Scotland playing out of their skin against Ireland and France with them having a bad day at the office. The odds of that happening in one championship are unlikely.

Beating Ireland is the last 6N monkey on the back but there's no guarantee that it will happen with the current crop of players especially and as long as Leinster continue to be a well oiled machine.

I know Townsend has used sports psychologists who will have the players believing they can win but the key is to keep that self belief in camp and not go spouting it to the media allowing opposition teams and fans to fill their boots.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's so funny how angry people get over Scotland

 

[General Melchett]

It's so funny how angry people get over Scotland

The negative energy starts from the Murrayfield booing.

 

[munstermuffin]

As it is on in Murrayfield I will say we will win but won't get BP. Gregor Townsend is like a good tease will always get to near the end but never can finish it off with this Scottish team.

 

[big ginger 8]

Furlong and McCarthy ruled out.

Bealham and Hansen confirmed fit.

 

[OllyM97]

The negative energy starts from the Murrayfield booing.

Murrayfield has by far the worst crowd in the 6N, absolute idiots the lot of them. Where were they when Scotland were absolutely s****. Games at Murrayfield used to be embarrassing with away fans comfortably outnumbering home ones. Wales are 0 from 13 yet both of their games at home are sold out this year. If Scotland go back to the doldrums again it won't be two minutes before their fans starting deserting the sinking ship.

 

[NotTooAmused]

Sound lads, sound. Scotland are shite and we're going to lose. Great chat.

Anyway, can't see us winning if Ireland are even vaguely on their game.

 

[AlRums]

Six Nations Scotland v Ireland: 'Win at any cost must be Scotland message against Irish'

Scotland must harness the "emotional intensity" of trying to topple Ireland for the first time in eight years, according to Irish legend Gordon D'Arcy.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[AlRums]

The hype about Scotland is annoying for me too, we have no substantial evidence to back it up.
What has happened is Scotland have become very competitive in the last few years and banished several monkeys (Twickenham, Paris, Wales, multiple Calcutta cups), so there is a bit of well founded optimism. The problem is that in 6N terms, they have not been able to catch the big boys when it matters (yet).

Scotland went 15 odd years with very little to be excited about, the dark days of Williams and Hadden, Robinson tried but didn't have the personnel, the other Aussie bloke was a disaster, it took until big Vern before things genuinely began to straighten out a bit.

For Sunday, I'd like to see Tom Jordan at 12 I think it's a better option for Russell and gives him some room to manoeuvre. The forwards need a massive performance, most of the last few games Ireland have nullified Finn by denying him any platform. The guy is a massive talent, but still human!

I fear Ireland may still win this, could be a 5 point game til 70mins then 2 scores make it look one sided.

still believe scotland have it in them, Ireland are more beatable than recent years, has to be a hell of an effort though just to get close.

Most of this myth if hype seems to occur here rather than mainstream.

Some journalists parrot this every year (Tom English) and if you ask a player/coach they always say "we'll win" because if you have a negative view you shouldn't be playing/coaching.

Look at itoje

Maro Itoje: England can beat everyone in Six Nations

Captain Maro Itoje says England can shrug off their poor recent form and deliver a surprise Six Nations Grand Slam.

www.bbc.co.uk

And Gatland

Six Nations 2025: Warren Gatland warns of writing off Wales

Head coach Warren Gatland says he faces the most exciting challenge of his career and warns critics to "write Wales off at their peril".

www.bbc.co.uk

I'm sure there's an Irish equivalent as well.

Realistically we all knew it isn't going to happen but noone here goes "can't live up to the hype"

 

[Reiser99]

For me it's quite simple. Scotland have beaten Italy, they will beat Wales and probably England. If Scotland want to win they have to beat at least one of France and Ireland.

This isn't 2014 when Dodson said Scotland's aim was to win the 6Ns and WC. Scotland have a team that can win. Do they need a little bit of luck? Probably. However, ultimately the aim is improve and do better. Either Scotland take that last step or they don't.

Personally I think Ireland are too strong defensively compared with Italy, but if Scotland can defend well and keep the score low, they have every chance.

 

[retired9]

Agree with the last 2 above, if Scotland can get a second place finish I would still be pretty pleased - it's progress

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

For this game progress for Scotland is obviously winning but equally if they scored over 20 points and / or keep the scoreboard tight it'd be a marked improvement.

They've scored on average 12 points and the winning margin has been am average of 13 (+/-1 on each figure, quick maffs).

It wss tighter than usual last year but they were still chasing a 2 score game from 65 mins to their try on 77. It's rarely been a fixture that's right in the balance for the final quarter.

We're a horrible match up. A defence that smothers teams and that can go through phases. It's rarely an open match that suits mecurial players when Ireland are on their game.