Three Changes To The Ireland Team That Should Start Against Scotland

February 3, 2025

“It’s never easy going up there,” Simon Easterby admitted, on Saturday night, as thoughts drifted to Ireland vs. Scotland at Murrayfield.

Easterby won the first game of his interim head coach stint with Ireland, and stressed that it would be ‘incredibly tough’ to face Scotland at home after their opening weekend win over Italy.

Ireland were up against it for 50 minutes, at Aviva Stadium, but accelerated in the second half of their Six Nations opener and beat England 27-22. The impact of some bench players and concerns over the squad’s two leading tightheads mean they were be changes for the Scotland game.

Ireland rediscovered that ruthless attacking streak to burn off the England challenge, having trailled 10-5 at half-time. A 22-point burst sealed the win and, after the game, captain Caelan Doris was asked if Ireland had their ‘attacking mojo back’.

I think we showed what we are capable of, at times,” Doris answered. “It was a good 10 days leading up to this and there is a strong belief in the plan we have within our attack. As we get deeper into the tournament, it’s going to be something we need to get stronger with and we need to develop.”

In selecting the best-equipped Ireland team to defeat Scotland, next Sunday afternoon, Doris himself comes into the debate. Joe McCarthy may be back in the selection mix, too, while we could have an uncapped player on the bench.

READ ALSO: Caelan Doris Couldn’t Contain Reaction To Exuberant Rendition Of Ireland’s Call

The Ireland players pose for a team photograph before a captain’s run at Aviva Stadium. (Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile)

Three changes in our Ireland team to face Scotland

Following Ireland’s five-point win, Simon Easterby was asked about his out-halves and found generous words for both.

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“I thought Sam Prendergast was excellent, at times, and created some really nice opportunities,” he said. “And, like in the autumn, Jack Crowley came on, impacted the game and finished it well.”
I would start Crowley here, on the back of some great away performances he already has in the bank. He was superb in 2023 as Munster went on their away winning streak that clinched the United Rugby Championship. He also had fine outings in away wins over France and South Africa, and delivered his best performance of the season in the recent Champions Cup game, with Munster, against Northampton.
More control and tactical kicking will be key in Edinburgh and, right now, Crowley is a better fit. Prendergast, as he showed against Argentina, can then exploit tiring defences and unleash his super range of passing against the Scots.
My other changes would be restoring Dan Sheehan to the starting XV and, if he hits fitness markers, getting Tadhg Furlong in from the start. If Furlong is not fit and Finlay Bealham, who picked up a knock against England, is out, Thomas Clarkson should start. That would leave uncapped Connacht prop Jack Augnier in reserve.
A tempting back-row option is Doris taking the 6 jersey, with Conan coming in at No.8. I would keep the second row as it is and give Ryan Baird consecutive games at blindside. I would also have uncapped loosehead Jack Boyle on the bench but only if Furlong or Bealham are involved. If the experienced tightheads are out, keep Cian Healy involved.

OUR IRELAND TEAM TO FACE SCOTLAND

15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Jack Crowley
9. Jamison Gibson-Park

1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Ryan Baird
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris

REPLACEMENTS: Rónan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Finlay Bealham/Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Sam Prendergast, Robbie Henshaw.

The first indication we will get, with regards to the make-up of the team to face Scotland, will be when Ireland are back up for media duty on Tuesday.

The match is on 3pm next Sunday, February 9, so the official team announcement will not be until Friday afternoon.