Women's Six Nations - Ireland v Scotland: All you need to know

Michael Glennon Michael Glennon | 04-27 00:16

Ireland finish off their Guinness Women's Six Nations campaign against Scotland in Belfast on Saturday.

There's a lot on the line with a third-place finish meaning automatic qualification for the World Cup and elevation to WXV1.

However, a lot depends on how Italy get on against Wales, a game that will be over before Ireland kick off.

Find out all you need to know about the match here.

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It's set to be dry in Belfast, partly cloudy in about 10C.

Ireland must lift themselves after a harrowing 88-10 loss to England in Twickenham but all the sounds coming out of the camp this week indicate that they have quickly turned the page.

They believe the momentum gained after the round-three victory over Wales is still there and can be used to earn a second win of the campaign.

Scotland, however, are also an improved outfit and have won both of their away games to date, against Wales and Italy, whom they beat 17-10 in Parma last weekend.

Bryan Easson's side won last season's match 36-10 as Ireland finished off the season with the wooden spoon.

Three sides are still in the battle for third place.

If Italy beat Wales with a bonus point, they will move to 11 points on the table meaning Ireland will need to do the same against Scotland to draw level.

After that Ireland will need to improve their points difference. Currently two points behind Italy on that front, Scott Bemand's side would need to better whatever Italy’s winning margin might be by at least three points.

Life for Scotland, on eight points, is simpler and any win would put them out of reach of both rivals.

They'll arrive in Belfast without the talismanic Chloe Rollie, who is suspended. Meryl Smith replaces the full-back, while wing Coreen Grant and lock Emma Wassell return.

Hooker Lana Skeldon was a late withdrawal on Sunday and she is replaced by Elis Martin.

That means a reshuffled front row with Molly Wright dropping to the bench and Leah Bartlett starting at loosehead.

Bemand is able to recall Sam Monaghan, who missed the defeat in Twickenham, while Enya Breen starts in the centre and Méabh Deely earns her first start of the championship at full-back.


TEAMS

Ireland: Méabh Deely; Katie Corrigan, Eve Higgins, Enya Breen, Béibhinn Parsons; Dannah O'Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Dorothy Wall, Sam Monaghan (co-capt); Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon (co-capt), Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Clíodhna Moloney, Niamh O'Dowd, Sadhbh McGrath, Fiona Tuite, Shannon Ikahihifo, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Aoife Dalton, Katie Heffernan.

Scotland: Meryl Smith; Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson; Elis Martin; Christine Belisle; Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan; Rachel Malcolm (capt), Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher.

Replacements: Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Leah Bartlett, Elliann Clarke, Eva Donaldson, Rachel McLachlan, Mairi McDonald, Cieron Bell, Nicole Flynn.


OFFICIALS

Referee: Natarsha Ganley (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant Referee 2: Holly Wood (RFU)
TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)


WHAT THEY SAID

Scott Bemand (Ireland head coach): "We can park that [defeat to England] as a blip and we can retain some of that confidence and momentum from against Wales, who are probably in that pool of teams that are fighting it out. We know we can produce a performance like that against Scotland."

Molly Wright (Scotland prop): "Rugby in Ireland has been on a high since the Celtic Challenge. I think they are a team to watch so the England result is not a concern for us. For us this week there has been a huge focus on recovery and getting bodies right for the next battle."


LAST FIVE MEETINGS

2023: Scotland 36-10 Ireland, DAM Health Stadium, Edinburgh

2022: Ireland 15-14 Scotland, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast

2021: Ireland 18-20 Scotland, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (World Cup qualifier)

2020: Ireland 18-14 England, Energia Park, Dublin

2019: Scotland 5-22 Ireland, Scotstoun, Glasgow


Elsewhere, bottom of the table Wales host Italy at 12.15, while England will look to wrap up another Grand Slam when they face France in Bordeaux at 4.45pm.

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