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Published 15:19 30 Nov 2020 GMT
Updated 15:21 30 Nov 2020 GMT
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"They're playing well, they play a nice brand of rugby and the last time we played them here, it was a difficult match. They played really well that night so I'm sure after watching that second-half performance and taking stock of what happened in the Six Nations, I'm sure they will see that as an opportunity that they might try to take back. So, we'll see what we're about this week."As much as Ireland will talk up the Scots, all week, they are without out-halves Finn Russell and Adam Hastings for the weekend, laboured to a win over Italy, lost to France and are not exactly in peak condition or form.
For Ireland, the injuries are stacking up after their run of five Test matches in the past six weeks. Keith Earls (back), Billy Burns (groin), Conor Murray (dead leg) and Rob Herring (rib) all picked up knocks while Will Connors went off for a late Head Injury Assessment and did not return. Added to that, James Lowe may be out of the mix too after picking up a strain in the defeat to England.
For us, the Scotland game should see Jacob Stockdale revert to the left wing position and Hugo Keenan retain his No.14 jersey. No-one has locked down the fullback slot, so we are hoping Farrell sees sense and gives Andrew Conway a run there.
In midfield, Stuart McCloskey has done enough to get his first ever back-to-back starts in Test rugby while it would be nice to see Bundee Aki freed up in the No.13 jersey. If he passes fitness markers, Billy Burns deserves another start. If not, we would parachute Jack Carty straight in at No.10 and would go so far as to suggest Harry Byrne for a squad role.
In the pack, Ronan Kelleher would benefit from another start at hooker. If he is our best bet for the 2021 Six Nations, let him learn on the job. James Ryan and Iain Henderson can start again while it is all change in the back row again, with Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris injected to add some life to this Irish side.
15. Andrew Conway 14. Hugo Keenan 13. Bundee Aki 12. Stuart McCloskey 11. Jacob Stockdale 10. Billy Burns/Jack Carty* 9. Jamison Gibson-Park 1. Cian Healy 2. Ronan Kelleher 3. Andrew Porter 4. James Ryan 5. Iain Henderson 6. Peter O'Mahony 7. Josh van der Flier 8. Caelan DorisSubs: Rob Herring, Eric O'Sullivan, John Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, CJ Stander, Conor Murray, *Jack Carty/Ross Byrne, Shane Daly.
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