Ireland v Scotland: The History

Saturday’s visit to Edinburgh is Ireland’s fourth clash with Scotland in two years. We look at the Six Nations history between the sides.

FACTS:

* Five of Ireland’s current squad – halfbacks Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer, forwards John Hayes and Simon Easterby, and winger Shane Horgan – made their international debuts against Scotland in 2000. The 44-22 win established a new record for a defeat of the Scots, eclipsing 1950’s 21-0 success.

* Eddie O’Sullivan is gunning for a fifth straight win over the Scots, since taking to the Ireland helm in 2002.

* An Irish win on Saturday would see O’Sullivan’s chalk up back-to-back Championship wins over their Celtic rivals for the first time since 1983-85.

* The emergence of the Six Nations in 2000, has really changed Irish fortunes against the Scots. Before the millennium, the men in green had lost eleven on the bounce against their northern neighbours – now, they hold a won five, lost one record since 2000.

* David Humphreys is the record points scorer in recent meetings. The Ulster fly half also hold the all-time record, having bagged 82 points in nine tests. Scotland legend Gavin Hastings – their all-time top scorer with 667 – is next best on 62. Humphreys hit a record 26 points – a try, five penalties and a conversion in 2003’s 36-6 Irish win at Murrayfield – their first win in Edinburgh since 1985.

*If Brian O’Driscoll starts and touches down, it will be his fifth try in seven internationals against the Scots. Pint-sized Scotland scrum-half Roy Laidlaw – a feature in their side from 1980-88 – holds the record with six in nine games.

* The Ireland v Scotland fixture is the third most played match in international history. Saturday’s meeting is the sides’ 118th – the Irish have won 50 of those. Scotland v England tops the list with 121 previous clashes.

* 1885’s abandoned game saw Scotland leading a try to nil. Caps were awarded for both the abandoned game and the replay two weeks later. The Scots at that stage, had already chalked up a record eleven wins in the fixture – a mark which still stands today.

* Scotland’s Tasmanian-born winger William Stewart scored a record four tries in the 1913 fixture. Ireland’s current captain Brian O’Driscoll grabbed a hat-trick in 2002, with Eugene Davy (1930) and Seamus Byrne (1953) also collected three tries in a single game.

2004-05 TEST FORM:

Scotland: LLLLLWLLLWLLL
Results: 04: Lost 10-23 v Wales, Lost 13-35 v England, Lost 14-20 v Italy, Lost 0-31 v France, Lost 16-37 v Ireland, Won 38-3 v Samoa, Lost 15-35 v Australia, Lost 13-34 v Australia, Lost 14-31 v Australia, Won 100-8 v Japan, Lost 17-31 v Australia, Lost 10-45 v South Africa. 05: Lost 9-16 v France

* Scotland coach Matt Williams is still to taste success in the Six Nations Championship, since taking over the position last year. Their last tournament win came against Italy (33-25) in March 2003.

Ireland: LWWWWLLWWWL
Results: 04: Lost 17-35 v France, Won 36-15 v Wales, Won 19-13 v England, Won 19-3 v Italy, Won 37-16 v Scotland, Lost 17-31 v South Africa, Lost 17-26 v South Africa, Won 17-12 v South Africa, Won 55-6 v USA, Won 21-19 v Argentina. 05: Won 28-17 v Italy

* Eddie O’Sullivan’s charges have won their last four tests and are also on a five-game unbeaten run in the Six Nations.

RECENT MEETINGS:

February 2000: Ireland 44 Scotland 22 (Lansdowne Road)

September 2001: Scotland 32 Ireland 10 (Murrayfield)

March 2002: Ireland 43 Scotland 22 (Lansdowne Road)

February 2003: Scotland 6 Ireland 36 (Murrayfield)

September 2003: Scotland 10 Ireland 29 (Murrayfield)
March 2004: Ireland 37 Scotland 16 (Lansdowne Road)