Elite Locks & Thriving Wingers Clash in Scotland vs. Ireland Rugby Match!
[BBC] BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your questions as Scotland go for the Six Nations title and Triple Crown against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday. Jamie asked : We all know how Ireland will play this game. Physical up front, set-piece and collision dominance, kicks for territory, hoping for conditions like day three of a Glastonbury Festival.
So the question is can Scotland's patched-up forward pack compete enough to feed the backs fast, quality ball? Tom answered : That's one of the questions, for sure. Scotland are missing three certain starters in the pack - Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown and Jamie Ritchie (he was absolutely flying).
Ireland are trying to play a more expansive game under Andy Farrell, but everything starts with winning collisions. That's the same for all sides. Ireland's scrum is vulnerable - they're down to their fifth-choice loosehead - and Scotland's scrum had a big day against France.
If Scotland's pack gets on top then Scotland win, in my view. Their backs are lethal. Even without the missing three, Scotland will have a good pack on the field.
So, the answer is yes, they can compete up front, no doubt about it. But will they? That's the great imponderable.