JOE Schmidt’s men begin their 2017 Six Nations campaign with a trip to Scotland. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
Where is the match?
The opening game of the tournament takes place at the BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.
When is the match?
It begins at 2.25pm on Saturday, February 4.
How can I watch it?
You can catch the game on BBC One. This is the second year of a six-year deal between the BBC and ITV to share the rights to the Six Nations. If you’re living in the Republic of Ireland, you’ll be lucky enough to see the game on RTE 2.
Where to watch it?
Check out the The Auld Shillelagh, in Stoke Newington. This north London pub is highly revered for the quality of Guinness they serve, with it coming thick and fast from behind the bar. This pub, which is like a rural Irish inn, shows all major sports fixtures including the all-important big Irish rugby games, which draw excellent crowds in.
What are the match odds?
Ireland are big favourites to start their Six Nations campaign with victory, and are priced at 7/15, with the hosts 5/2 to start off in their campaign in the best possible fashion. The draw is available at a whopping 28/1 – albeit that is incredibly unlikely. Find all the latest odds here.
Our prediction
The last meeting between the pair at the Aviva Stadium in March was a fiery encounter, with Ireland eventually edging out their opponents 35-25 to end what was a mixed Six Nations campaign. Schmidt’s men will be hoping for a far more productive tournament this time around, after the 2015 champions could only muster a third-place finish last year. Prediction: Ireland to win by 15 points.
