Scotland vs Ireland Preview & Tips - Scotland to fail Ireland test in Six Nations clash

Ireland were also far from perfect in the opening round, but they still managed to notch a bonus point win as they beat England 27-22. 

Ireland have won their last 10 matches against Scotland in a dominant run of results. 

Despite starting the 2025 Six Nations with a bonus point win, Scotland left a number of questions unanswered following their opening match as they beat Italy 31-19. 

The home side stormed into a 14-0 lead, but ill-discipline saw Italy cut the gap to just eight points. A Ben White try saw Scotland go 19-6 up, but they gave away another kickable penalty as Italy went in 19-9 down. While Scotland managed to win the second-half 12-10, they were unable to deal with an early salvo as they conceded a penalty and a converted try to see the scores levelled in the 47th minute. 

While Scotland did eventually pull away, better teams than Italy will take advantage of a lapse in concentration from the Scottish. The battle of the forwards will be vital in this match as the Scottish take on a side that looked strong at the scrum and perfect at the lineout. Disruption to Irish ball from the set-piece will be very important. Not leaning too much on the exploits of Duhan van der Merwe on the wing will also be important as the home side look for raw power in the absence of centre Sione Tuipulotu. 

While Scotland continue to improve and provide a real test on their own patch, I believe they are still a few too many steps behind Ireland to beat them at this stage. A 10-game losing run at the hands of the Irish will weigh heavily on the minds of the home team, and I am backing them to make it 11 without a win against the men in green. 

A bonus point win over England was the aim ahead of the opening weekend for Ireland, and that is exactly what the home side got as they battled to a 29-22 win over their opponents. 

While it will worry the men in green that they trailed England 10-5 at half-time, their resolve was impressive as they blitzed England with 22 unanswered points in the second-half to move 27-10 up. The Irish lineout was hugely impressive, while their ability to get the ball wide quickly eventually told as they stretched England to breaking point in the second-half. The major frustration for Ireland in the second-half will be the two tries they conceded late on as their defence faltered. While the match was already won by this point, Ireland should not have let the visitors get to within losing bonus point range. 

With the Six Nations title to defend, Ireland will be confident that they can notch an 11th consecutive win against Scotland. While James Lowe did not score against England, he was at his combative best, and I am backing him to get a try against Scotland this weekend.