Keith Earls runs in a try during Ireland's Autumn Nations Cup victory at home to Scotland last year ©INPHO/Gary Carr
Ireland’s second successive away match in the 2021 Guinness Six Nations takes them to Edinburgh, where Andy Farrell’s men are aiming to maintain their strong recent record against Scotland.
2021 GUINNESS SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP: Sunday, March 14
SCOTLAND (5th) v IRELAND (4th), BT Murrayfield, 3pm (live Virgin Media One/BBC One/DMAX/RTÉ Radio 1/BBC Radio Ulster/BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra/IRFU Live Blog)
Team News: There are three changes to the Ireland team from the game against Italy, with Keith Earls coming into the back-line and Cian Healy and Rob Herring starting up front.
CJ Stander will win his 50th cap when he runs out in green this afternoon. He made his debut against Wales in 2016 and has notched up 12 tries to date.
Captain Jonathan Sexton is partnered again at half-back by Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw are certain to pose a threat in midfield, while Earls rejoins James Lowe and Hugo Keenan in the back-three.
Healy and Herring swap back in alongside tighthead Tadhg Furlong, with Iain Henderson and James Ryan featuring once more as the second row pairing.
Tadhg Beirne, the player-of-the-match in Rome recently, and Will Connors continue in an unchanged back row anchored by rock solid number 8 Stander.
Conor Murray returns from a hamstring injury to take a place among the replacements, alongside Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ryan Baird, who made his debut against Italy, Jack Conan, Billy Burns and Jordan Larmour.
Meanwhile, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made four changes to his starting line-up for the visit of Ireland – two in the backs and two up front.
In the pack, Edinburgh prop WP Nel comes in at tighthead to pack down alongside George Turner and Rory Sutherland. Nel’s club-mate, Jamie Ritchie, also returns at blindside flanker.
There is a seventh successive international start together for the Scots’ second row pairing of Jonny Gray, who wins cap number 64, and Scott Cummings.
Sean Maitland has recovered from an Achilles injury to line out on the right wing, and Glasgow Warriors’ Sam Johnson makes his 2021 Championship bow in midfield, combining with Chris Harris of Gloucester.
Captain Stuart Hogg offers a considerable attacking threat from full-back, with Scotland’s half-back berths filled by vice-captain Finn Russell and Ali Price for a third straight game.
Guinness Six Nations Fixtures/Results
SCOTLAND: Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) (capt); Sean Maitland (Saracens), Chris Harris (Gloucester), Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh); Finn Russell (Racing 92), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors); Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh), George Turner (Glasgow Warriors), WP Nel (Edinburgh), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), Jonny Gray (Exeter Chiefs), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements: David Cherry (Edinburgh), Jamie Bhatti (Bath), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Nick Haining (Edinburgh), Scott Steele (Harlequins), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh).
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster); Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster), Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster), James Lowe (Leinster); Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster), Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster), James Ryan (UCD/Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster), Will Connors (UCD/Leinster), CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster).
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster), Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster), Ryan Baird (Dublin University/Leinster), Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Billy Burns (Ulster), Jordan Larmour (St. Mary’s College/Leinster).
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant Referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Television Match Official: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
Pre-Match Quotes: Andy Farrell (Ireland) –
CJ is the most genuine bloke that you’d ever meet. He is as honest as the day is long and that’s what shows in his performance.
“How he acts on a daily basis and genuinely cares for people, is exactly how he plays for the team. He’s a team-first man that takes the hard yards and puts himself into difficult situations, where others may shy away from, from time to time.
“If anything needs doing as far as tough yards, he’s the one to put his hand up. I’m thoroughly delighted for CJ to get his 50th cap this week and I’ve no doubt he’ll have a great game on the back of that.
“Like any game with top class backs, that are quite quick and dynamic in how they want to play, with their game control and unpredictability, etc., you’ve got to control the game up front. There is no doubt about that.
“They’ll either play with their dinner suits on or not because of the speed of ball that they’ll require to be able to play into space.
“It’s up to us to make sure we slow that ball down for Scotland, so that we can put some pressure on them ourselves.”
Gregor Townsend (Scotland) –
We are well aware of the threats posed by an experienced Ireland squad and our players have prepared for a contest they know is going to require one of their best performances.
“We had prepared well for our postponed game against France, and the players have adapted well to the change of plans and have brought real energy and focus to our training sessions this week.
“Playing Ireland is always a physical affair and one that demands you keep stepping up to make tackles or contest for possession.
“They have played well in their opening three games of the Championship and have some outstanding players in their squad. It should be a cracking game.”
Pre-Match Links –
‘Once You Get A Taste Of That Green Jersey, You Want To Keep Putting Your Hand Up’
In Pics: Ireland Captain’s Run At BT Murrayfield
‘He’s A Team-First Man’ – Farrell On 50-Cap Stander
Henderson Highlights Scotland’s Counter Attack And Breakdown Threats
Sexton: Tadhg’s Really Stepped Up Since He’s Come Back
Recent Meetings –
2018: NatWest 6 Nations: Ireland 28 Scotland 8, Aviva Stadium
2019: Guinness Six Nations: Scotland 13 Ireland 22, BT Murrayfield; Rugby World Cup Pool A: Ireland 27 Scotland 3, International Stadium Yokohama
2020: Guinness Six Nations: Ireland 19 Scotland 12, Aviva Stadium; Autumn Nations Cup/Guinness Series: Ireland 31 Scotland 16, Aviva Stadium
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