Celtic Symphony: Ireland v Scotland. 8pm Saturday 07th Oct. Paris. RWC 23

Is that dutch ?

I think JVDF grandparents were dutch?

Some Stats. I have heard from various podcasts.

Scotland have lost 8 in a row against Ireland.

202pts. v 88pts.

24 Irish Trys v 8 Scots. Trys.

Average score of 25/11. (To Ireland).

No disrespect to Scotland but if they can knock us out , we'd be spared a battering by N.Z. in a Q/F. ( i.e. lose to Scotland , we'd have had no chance v. N.Z.)I think we can beat both.

Ireland by two scores at least. If Scotland upset the apple cart , I will shout for them for the rest of the tourney! Still, Ireland by at least two scores, I.M.O.

That's not how rugby works. A team playing well or poorly one week doesn't guarantee the same the following week.

NZ hammered Ireland in the last world Cup, and got destroyed by England the following week.

That said, Ireland will win easily tomorrow.

I was referring more to the point that if Ireland lost to Scotland, they'd be sparing themselves a hammering by NZ. That's not true at all.

England in turn, got absolutely mullered v South Africa. SA, for their troubles, were beaten by NZ in the group.

Can be a funny game and best team doesn't always win.

NZ were comfortably best team in many world cups and didn't win them.

I'm still not feeling all this we will win easily, its a one off game , Scotland have more than a punchers chance. They are a good team. I think we will win but not a given at all.

I'm surprised (and happy from Irish perspective)with Scottish backrow though. Its hard running ,but nothing Ireland can't handle ,but most importantly I don't see breakdown threat from them, delighted with no Watson.

I genuinely can't understand not playing Watson if he's able to play. Ferocious player.

Another + for Ireland. Can't understand that one myself but I'll take it all day long. It's natural to have a few nerves, this is basically a knock-out game, but any neutral would back Ireland by 3-4 scores (for value) rather than the 2 scores the bookies have us at!

I believe that Ireland will beat Scotland in the forwards, maybe a couple of push over/rolling maul tries that will make the game look as it was always within our gift at any stage.

There is admirable talent in the Scottish backs, their forwards ,I believe , cannot live with Irelands. Obviously, when the whistle blows on Saturday Night , my confidence today will go out the window and I will be a bag of nerves!

Not to mention the “mana” they bring to the Irish side…

Edit: And tell the lads to give it heaps.

I actually think that line-out is worse with Henderson included but hopefully the Scots can't take advantage. Barring 2 yellows or a red I just can't see us getting beaten, best scenario is if we are 15 points or more ahead with 20 mins to go and offload the bench fully

I think James Ryan is very over rated as to his importance to Ireland. I like him, but I don't rate him any higher than any of our other starting forwards. He is in the mix for sure but not above any of the others. But appreciate that we are in a very privileged position to be able to say that

Hoenstly, I think/hope there's a lot more to come from Beirne. Has had some lovely moments particularly in the first two games but he looked very tired in those last 20 against SA and was hanging in there.

Was so tired he couldn't even carry the ball....!

Joking aside, it's been a long time since I've seen him blown out of a ruck the way Kwagga Smith did to him when we were turned over on their 22 or the missed tackle on Snyman for the break. Top class operator but Henderson was so effective in all aspects when he came on (sloppy penalty concession aside).

Are we showing the Scots too much respect ? Any injury to Sexton, Ringrose and Porter and we're fecked against NZ. We should be ale to beat the Scots without these lads.

I'd have hoped we'd have learned our lesson after Japan.