07 Oct 2023 / admin

Ireland vs Scotland Prediction and Betting Tips

🏈 Rugby World Cup 2023 Match Preview

⏰ 7 October 2023 - 20:00 GMT +1

⏰ 8 October 2023 - 05:00 AEST

🏟 Stadium - Stade de France (Paris - Saint-Denis)

Knockout rugby has arrived early for Ireland and Scotland when they meet at the iconic Stade de France in Paris. Calculators will be required with qualification still up in the air for both teams and group leaders South Africa. Thanks to bonus points, several permutations are in play to reach the quarterfinals.

Unsurprisingly, both coaches have named strong sides with everything on the line. Ireland manager Andy Farrell even joked he's turned to bench player Iain Henderson for math help, saying “We need to focus on performing well and deserving to win outright.”

A win, draw or even a close loss with two bonus points will see Ireland through over Scotland. Eight straight wins over Scotland since 2018, by 14 points on average, gives the world number one side a big edge. Ireland are also 17-0 as favorites since 2022. Farrell makes two changes, with Dan Sheehan and Henderson starting. Peter O'Mahony will play his 100th test for Ireland.

Scotland can qualify on head-to-head with a win if Ireland gets no bonus points. If Ireland gets one, Scotland need one too to match 15 points. It could make for a thrilling Pool B finish if Scotland improve on their meager 3 points against South Africa.

They face an Irish side that hasn't conceded over 20 points in 14 straight wins. Securing a bonus point looks tough. But Scotland found form with six tries in each half against Romania, and seven versus Tonga. Scotland reached the quarters in five of the last seven World Cups, but this is their hardest pool.

Asked how this match will differ from eight straight losses to Ireland, coach Gregor Townsend called it “another opportunity to break another record.” He pointed to long droughts that ended recently, like winning in Paris for the first time in 22 years. Scotland has won 35% as underdogs since 2021, suggesting an upset is possible.

Townsend's side features four players from Scotland's 2017 Ireland win and just three from the Romania thrashing. Wing Duhan van der Merwe returns along with fullback Blair Kinghorn. Jamie Ritchie captains for the 15th time, holding a winning record (W8 L6).

📋 Players to watch:

Mack Hansen seeks a hat trick after scoring against Scotland in February.
Rory Darge has scored tries in four of five games, the exception being the South Africa loss.

⚡ Match Facts:

Ireland top Pool B on 14 points. Need win or draw to progress.
Scotland 5 points. Must win and deny Ireland bonus point to qualify.
Ireland won last 8 meetings, including 27-24 in Six Nations 2022.
Ireland won 15 of 21 previous World Cup games vs European sides.
Johnny Sexton starts at flyhalf, wins 103rd Ireland cap.
Stuart Hogg captains Scotland at fullback for crucial qualifier.

💡 Match Prediction:

This should be a tight and tense affair with plenty on the line for both teams. Ireland start as deserved favorites based on recent form and consistency. Their pack and defensive system give them an edge, but Scotland will be desperate and have the backs to create chances.

This will be tense and tight, with no more than a converted try in it either way. Ireland to grind out a narrow win without conceding many points. The under 39.5 total points look a solid bet.

Ireland's forward pack has dominated possession, nullifying opposition attacks. Johnny Sexton's tactical kicking has been a weapon. Scotland's Finn Russell can unlock defences.

Ireland conceded just 39 points in 4 World Cup games so far. Hard for Scotland to get bonus point tries. Scotland's hopes rest on Stuart Hogg and Duhan van der Merwe providing moments of magic.

Betting Tps: