Ireland beat Scotland with bonus level to go high and pile stress on France | EUROtoday

Good afternoon and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s dwell protection of Ireland vs Scotland from the ultimate spherical of this yr’s Six Nations at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, with each groups nonetheless in competition for the title.

Heading into ‘Super Saturday’, France are high of the pile on 16 factors, however they lead Scotland on factors distinction alone after being surprised by Gregor Townsend’s facet at Murrayfield final weekend.

It is a particularly wholesome points-difference benefit for Fabien Gaelthje’s facet, although, 58 factors higher off than Scotland in that respect, which might show decisive.

Ireland, in the meantime, begin the afternoon in third place, however solely two factors adrift of the 2 pace-setters, with a factors distinction solely marginally worse than their opponents this afternoon.

With France internet hosting an out-of-sorts England this night, the title can’t be clinched by full time in Dublin, however the two groups can definitely put some stress on the defending champions.

If Scotland can beat Ireland – for the primary time since 2017 – and France fail to beat England, the Scots will clinch a first-ever Six Nations title, whereas a bonus-point win could be sufficient for Townsend’s males if France win, however with out a bonus level.

A twelfth successive victory for Andy Farrell’s facet in opposition to Scotland would virtually definitely take them to the highest of the standings by full time, and if France then fail to win in Paris, the title might effectively be going their means.

However, there’s the exceptional situation wherein Ireland might win this afternoon with out a bonus level, and France might nonetheless retain their title with defeat – and one fewer win than Ireland – ought to they declare two dropping bonus factors within the course of.

Both Ireland and Scotland have crushed England and Wales to this point this marketing campaign, that means the Triple Crown title can also be up for grabs, with Scotland hoping for his or her first since 1990.