Ireland v Scotland Prediction, Preview & Odds – Rugby World Cup

In this post we have an Ireland v Scotland prediction for you plus a breakdown of all the betting odds as we preview this crucial Pool B game.

How To Watch Ireland v Scotland

When is Ireland v Scotland?

Ireland will play Scotland at the 2023 Rugby World Cup at 8pm on Saturday, October 7th.

Where is Ireland v Scotland being played?

The game will take place at Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France.

TV Channel

Ireland v Scotland will be broadcast on Virgin Media One in Ireland with pre-match coverage from 7pm.

In the UK TV viewers can watch the game on ITV 1 with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.

Live Stream

In Ireland you can live stream the Ireland v Scotland game on Virgin Media Player.

In the UK you can live stream the game on ITVX.

Ireland v Scotland Odds

Ireland are the strong favourites at 1/5 in the betting to win this final round Pool B game and advance to the Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finals.

Scotland are 7/2 underdogs who will need a big performance to upset Ireland having not beaten them since the 2017 Six Nations. On that occasion the Scots won 27-22 in Murrayfield.

From the 140 encounters between these two countries, only five draws have ever taken place, if you fancy that to happen on Saturday you can back it at long odds of 40/1.

Handicap Betting

Ireland: -12 @ 10/11

Scotland: +12 @ 10/11

Handicap Draw: -12 @ 18/1

Ireland v Scotland Preview

Ireland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup Results

Ireland 82-8 Romania | Pool B | Saturday, September 9th.

Ireland 59-16 Tonga | Pool B | Saturday, September 16th.

South Africa 8-13 Ireland | Pool B | Saturday, September 23rd.

Ireland’s Form

Rugby World Cup Form

Ireland opened up their 2023 World Cup campaign against Romania. Nerves were tested early on as the Romanians scored an early try but the Irish responded immediately with a try of their own and would go on to win the game 82-8 to get off the mark in this year’s tournament.

Ireland picked up where they left off in their second match at this tournament. Tonga were the opposition that day and they proved little test for Andy Farrell’s side as they won big again on a scoreline of 59-16.

The third Pool B game for Ireland was arguably the most anticipated pool game of the entire tournament as they faced South Africa in the Stade de France. In an incredible game of rugby Ireland prevailed with their goal line defence securing the win at the death. Such was the level of performance by Ireland in that victory that it made them Rugby World Cup favourites.

It has been a perfect start to the 2023 Rugby World Cup for this Irish team. However, despite beating South Africa, Ireland can still be knocked out of the Rugby World Cup if they lose to Scotland on Saturday.

Form Coming Into The Rugby World Cup

This Ireland team is the number one ranked side in the world following their 2023 Grand Slam success and incredible level of form over the past two years. That was the third Grand Slam in the country’s history and the first under current Head Coach Andy Farrell.

The next time we saw this team after the Six Nations was in the summer where they played three warm-up matches in preparation for this Rugby World Cup. Andy Farrell’s side went 3/3 in those games with victories over Italy, England and Samoa. That means that Ireland played eight test matches this year prior to the start of the World Cup and won all eight of them.

Scotland’s 2023 Rugby World Cup Results

South Africa 18-3 Scotland | Pool B | Sunday, September 10th.

Scotland 45-17 Tonga | Pool B | Sunday, September 24th.

Scotland 84-0 Romania | Pool B | Saturday, September 30th.

Scotland’s Form

Scotland started their Rugby World Cup journey against defending champions South Africa. The Scots kept the game close in the opening period with the score 6-3 at half-time. However, South Africa eventually pulled away, winning out 18-3. The nature of the loss to South Africa was quite disappointing as many people had tipped Scotland to give the Springboks a scare.

Following a week off Scotland recovered with an impressive 45-17 victory over Tonga to secure their opening points in Pool B and keep their qualification credentials intact.

This Scottish team carried the momentum from that Tonga win into the next game against Pool B minnows Romania. A rotated Scotland side hammered the Romanians 84-0 to give them a chance of qualifying with a bonus point win against Ireland while denying Ireland a losing or 4 try bonus point.

Form Coming Into The Rugby World Cup

Scotland are the 5th ranked team in the World Rugby rankings and can consider themselves unlucky that they were drawn in Pool B against South Africa and Ireland.

Generally there is a positive mood around Scottish Rugby at the moment. Head Coach Gregor Townsend has brought this team to new heights since he took charge in 2017.

The Scottish entered the 2023 Rugby World Cup following a strong 2023 Six Nations campaign where they finished third. During that Six Nations they beat Wales, Italy and England. Scotland also kept their losses relatively competitive with only 15 points or less the deficit against both France and Ireland.

The performances in their Rugby World Cup warm-up games were also encouraging. Scotland opened with a 25-13 win against Italy. That win was followed by a brilliant performance against France where Scotland ran out 25-21 winners, although they would lose the return game 30-27. Townsend’s side finished their World Cup warmup campaign with a 33-6 victory over Georgia.

Key Players To Watch

Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

Johnny Sexton might be 38 years old but he is still the key to this Ireland team. The Leinster and Ireland legend has been in fine form in this World Cup with three tries and 45 points to his name.

Sexton pulls the strings for Ireland in attack with his game management and leadership crucial to the way this Ireland team wants to play. The 38-year-old is also a more than willing tackler in defence and will not be afraid to put his body on the line again this Saturday evening.

In a recent post we took a look at where Sexton ranks among Irish rugby’s all-time greats.

Finn Russell (Scotland)

Finn Russell is the key to Scotland’s attack. If Ireland gives Russell the time and space to operate then they could be in serious trouble this Saturday evening.

South Africa were able to nullify the threat of the Racing 92 fly-half in their opening game of the tournament and by definition were then able to stop Scotland from causing them any problems in what many thought could be a closer game.

Ireland v Scotland Rugby Results

Ireland and Scotland have played each other 140 times in test match rugby union.

Ireland narrowly have the better of the all-time series with 69 wins compared to Scotland’s 66 wins over Ireland. 5 draws have taken place between these teams.

Notably, Ireland have an 8-match winning streak against Scotland. The Scots last beat Ireland in 2017.

2023: Six Nations– Scotland 7-22 Ireland

2022: Six Nations – Ireland 26-5 Ireland

2021: Six Nations– Scotland 24-27 Ireland

2020: Autumn Nations Cup – Ireland 31-16 Scotland

2020: Six Nations – Ireland 19-12 Scotland

Ireland v Scotland Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Ireland 24-12 Scotland

I’m predicting that Ireland should have enough quality to win this game rather comfortably. The key to this game will be the opening 20 minutes as Scotland will be looking to get off to a fast start as they go in search of a bonus point victory.

If Ireland can weather that storm then they can pull away later in the game.

Best Bet: Bundee Aki Man of the Match @ 7/1

Click Below For Our LIVE Ireland v Scotland Odds

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