Ireland v Scotland

RBS 6 Nations
Venue: Croke Park Date: Saturday, 20 March 2010 Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch on BBC One, BBC HD channel and the BBC Sport website; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and local radio; text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

MATCH PREVIEW

Ireland's hopes of retaining their Six Nations title may have all but gone, but victory against Scotland on Saturday would give the Irish a fifth Triple Crown in seven years.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney says that "the Scots are known for ruining Irish parties" but it's been a while since they did. Ireland have won their last eight meetings with Scotland in the Six Nations and it seems unlikely that this week's St Patrick's Day celebrations will turn sour on Saturday.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has the Triple Crown in his sights

Scotland, who currently prop up the table with a solitary point from last week's 15-15 draw against England, have had their moments this season. Their defeat in Cardiff, where they led Wales by 10 points with three minutes to go, still has Scottish fans shaking their heads.

The reality is though that unless Andy Robinson's side can avoid defeat this weekend, the Wooden Spoon is heading to Murrayfield.

Saturday's match will also bring to an end Ireland's four-year residency at Croke Park. They move to the revamped Lansdowne Road, now known as the Aviva Stadium, in the autumn.

606: DEBATE

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"It's a romantic ending that couldn't be orchestrated - our last match at Croke Park with a Triple Crown to be won," said Declan Kidney.

There is still a very slim chance Ireland could be celebrating the Six Nations title as well as the Triple Crown on Saturday evening but it would need a big Irish win, coupled with a hefty French loss to England in Paris, to achieve it.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• This is the 124th meeting between these countries. Scotland lead by 62 wins to 55, with five draws and one abandonment.

• Ireland have won their last eight Six Nations meetings with Scotland and have never lost at home to the Scots in the Six Nations.

Ireland

• Ireland are chasing an 11th Triple Crown and a fifth Triple Crown in seven years.

• Ireland's points difference is 50 worse than France's so, even if France lose to England, it's very unlikely that Ireland will retain their Six Nations crown.

• Ireland's Keith Earls is the leading try scorer in this season's competition with three.

Scotland

• Scotland haven't won in Dublin since a 17-16 victory in 1998.

• Scotland have scored two tries in the 2010 Six Nations, fewer than any other team. Ireland have scored nine.

• Scotland haven't had a winless Six Nations campaign since 2004, when they lost five out of five.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Ireland: 15-Geordan Murphy, 14-Tommy Bowe, 13-Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Keith Earls, 10-Jonathan Sexton, 9-Tomas O'Leary; 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-John Hayes, 4-Donncha O'Callaghan, 5-Paul O'Connell, 6-Stephen Ferris, 7-David Wallace, 8-Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Tony Buckley, 18-Leo Cullen, 19-Shane Jennings, 20-Eoin Reddan, 21-Ronan O'Gara, 22-Rob Kearney.

Scotland: 15-Hugo Southwell, 14-Sean Lamont, 13-Nick De Luca, 12-Graeme Morrison, 11-Max Evans, 10-Dan Parks, 9-Chris Cusiter (captain); 1-Allan Jacobsen, 2-Ross Ford, 3-Euan Murray, 4-Jim Hamilton, 5-Alastair Kellock, 6-Kelly Brown, 7-John Barclay, 8-Johnnie Beattie.

Replacements: 16-Scott Lawson, 17-Alasdair Dickinson, 18-Richie Gray, 19-Alan MacDonald, 20-Mike Blair, 21-Phil Godman, 22-Simon Danielli.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) & Jerome Garces (France)

TV: Giulio de Santis (Italy)

ONES TO WATCH