Six Nations: Ireland eyeing Triple Crown ahead of Scotland visit

Triple crown on the line 

The Six Nations title is still within Ireland’s reach ahead of their final game at home to Scotland, but the Irish need a big favour from England if they are to clinch their first Championship trophy since 2018.

Andy Farrell’s first side need to take care of business against a Scottish side with a point to prove, and beating the visitors would secure the Triple Crown for Ireland.

France top the table by two points going into Super Saturday, so any victory for second-placed Ireland would send them top and apply pressure on the Grand Slam-chasing French ahead of their climactic showdown with England at the Stade de France.

Forget the maths, get the win 

An Irish win and a French defeat is the simplest way for the trophy to end up at the Aviva Stadium, although there are, as always, more complicated permutations to consider.  

If France take nothing from a defeat to England, Ireland could still win the title on points difference by picking up two losing bonus points against Scotland.

The unlikely scenario of a draw in Dublin would also be enough for Ireland to take the title if France fail to pick up a point in Paris.

Farrell and his players won’t be looking beyond the simple fact of needing to see off the Scots in as comfortable a fashion as possible, and they head into the game as huge favourites.

Scotland haven’t won in Dublin for 12 years but, spookily, on that day their 23-20 victory was on Super Saturday and ended up guaranteeing a French Grand Slam as Les Bleus went on to beat England later in the day. 

Ireland can win the Triple Crown with victory over Scotland on Saturday in Dublin

Ireland heavy favourites

History repeating itself seems highly unlikely, which is reflected in an Ireland win being priced at 1.16 compared to Scotland’s odds of 7.6 for a victory.

Ireland recorded a record 32-15 win at Twickenham in the last round, but they were made to work hard for the bonus point victory against an England side that responded admirably to going down to 14 men after 82 seconds following Charlie Ewels’ red card.

A Marcus Smith penalty tied the game at 15-15 with 20 minutes to go, but Ireland found another gear in the closing stages as Jack Conan and Finlay Bealham scored late tries.

The Irish have shown impressive cohesion throughout the tournament, combining a lethal sharpness in attack with a rock-solid defence, underlined by the fact that they are the top try and points scorers so far, while conceding the fewest points.

It has now been 186 minutes since Ireland conceded a try, although their scrum looked particularly vulnerable in London as they conceded six penalties at scrum time.

"We weren't probably getting that detail but it's hard in the heat of battle for all parties. For the props, for the ref, for me dealing with the ref," said captain Johnny Sexton.

“The lads have sat down and looked at it, they feel that we can control things better from our side.”

Scots flatter to deceive 

For Scotland, the 2022 Championship began with high hopes that they could finally fulfil their potential and be in the mix for the title on the final day.

But Gregor Townsend’s side have flattered to deceive since an impressive win over England in Round 1, following that up with disappointing defeats to Wales and France.

They responded with a bonus point win in Italy last weekend, but conceded two late tries in a 33-22 win to spark more debate about their defensive frailties.

Considering Ireland’s title and Triple Crown motivation, their vastly superior attack and defence thus far, and Scotland’s rotten record in Dublin, everything points to a convincing Irish win.

Recommended bet

Ireland with -13.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.7