Ireland
27
Match Complete
Scotland
3
| J. Carty |  | 67 | ||
| A. Conway |  | 55 | ||
| C. Murray |  | 26 | ||
| T. Furlong | | 24 | ||
| 20 | | G. Laidlaw | ||
| R. Best | | 13 | ||
| J. Sexton | | 7 | ||
| J. Ryan | | 5 |
| 4 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Ireland and Scotland get their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaigns underway in this match. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match from 5:45pm (AEST).
With the host nation Japan, Samoa and Russia the other three teams in Group A, this match is likely going to decide which team will finish atop the group, and avoid a likely quarter-finals showdown with the All Blacks (although whoever wins this game will likely have to play the Springboks instead).
Despite an underwhelming 6 Nations campaign earlier in the year, the Irish come into this one as the highest-ranked side in the world after defeating Wales in their last 2 friendlies leading up to this tournament.
With this comes expectation from the fans. As such there will be plenty of pressure on the Irish in what should be their toughest match of the group stage.
The Scots had a 6 Nations Tournament to forget, finishing fifth although they will take plenty of confidence out of their victory over the Italians and their 38-all draw with England at Twickenham.
The Scots have pulled off a few upsets in recent years, as evidenced by their two recent victories over the Wallabies in 2017. Unfortunately for the Scots, this fixture has been very kind to the Irish in recent years, who’ve won 18 out of 24 clashes since the turn of the millennium, including their most recent clash in this year’s 6 Nations tournament 22-13.
Prediction
Ireland have looked good in their past 2 outings against Wales – it’s hard to see the World No. 1 side going down to Scotland in this one.
The Irish have plenty of world-class talent and experience. Led by inspirational captain and hooker Rory Best, and with Jonathan Sexton and Connor Murray directing the side round the park, this could be a very tough proposition for the Scottish.
They’ll put up a fight early for sure but expect Ireland to run away with it in the end.
Ireland by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:45pm (AEST).
Game information
Where: International Stadium Yokahoma, Yokahoma City
When: 5:45pm AEST
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Ireland
Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, 6Peter O’Mahony, James Ryan, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (captain), Cian Healy.
Replacements: Niall Scannell, David Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Luke McGrath, Jack Carty, Chris Farrell.
Scotland
Stuart Hogg, Tommy Seymour, Duncan Taylor, Sam Johnson, Sean Maitland, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw, Ryan Wilson, Hamish Watson, John Barclay, Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Willem Nel, Stuart McInally (captain), Allan Dell.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Gordon Reid, Simon Berghan, Scott Cummings, Blade Thomson, Ali Price, Chris Harris, Darcy Graham.
HenryHoneyBalls
Guest
England tend not to worry about Ireland. That might explain why they have a negative win loss ratio v Ireland in the six nations.
Derm
Roar Guru
We might, Highlander. They won't have it like that in other games though. Good to see that they can do it without Kearney, Earls, Henshaw, and Carbery available and POM/Aki having to go off early. Was impressed with Chris Farrell coming on - he's getting better and better. Steady as she goes.
piru
Roar Rookie
Well I quite like Barnes He's streets ahead of Garces
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Hard to argue your basic premise that they’ve stagnated or worse, regressed under Townsend. One of my favourite rugby matches is last year’s 38-38 draw at Twickenham though so I may find it harder to see what’s plain in front of me
Danny
Roar Pro
True oz but they had no cattle when Cotter took over, and still he managed to create true belief in the team that it could perform at higher levels. I did wonder how much better they could get at Cotter's peak given limited cattle, but they could have maintained that momentum at the very least. They've gone backwards under Townsend - reverting back to their old mean. I have great fondness for the Scots as permanent small-population underdogs and hoped Cotter might have helped to lift the mean. But this really needs a long period of higher performance and the Cotter era wasn't long enough. Wales gets it - they've employed some of the great world coaches over two decades or more and their average quality seems permanently lifted.
Danny
Roar Pro
Yes agree many NZ games but not all. Still, the Cardiff 2007 QF was permanently disqualifying. He didn't get RWC final in 2011 or 2015 and I expect he won't get it in 2019. I've plenty of friends from all over that hold a similar view - a statement equally as uncheckable as "nobody else views". The English tend to defend him, but then they never have to put up with his overbearing ego-driven knee-jerk decisions given he never refs big games where they're involved. For that matter what big games has he refereed since 2007?
Michael Herman
Guest
The IRB need to stamp out the constant running into the field at every opportunity of the “water” assistants, to provide instructions etc. It slows the game down terribly. The game was a dull stop / start affair.
In brief
Guest
Good call - this has always been my bugbear with French referees - they make decisions based on some preconceived notion rather than what actually happened on the field. There is a risk of this approach creeping in across the board.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Agree Fionn, I thought Barnes has been the pick of the refs so far ( Berry went ok as well). Barnes had a real good game, great communication, management & not too many mistakes today. Unfortunately, I don't think Marius made it as ref to the WC did he?
Kane
Roar Guru
Ireland looking strong once again, in pool play...
Kane
Roar Guru
Results means Ireland will drop to No2
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Very commi1tted Irish team playing with cohesion and power. Watch out Springboks, the Emerald Green is looking mean!
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Who was responsible for the outbreak of tartan on the Scottish jersey??… they look like the Bay City Rollers. Even so they didn’t need to play like them
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
The Irish have kicked off their 2019 World Cup campaign in style, defeating a hapless Scotland 27 points to 3 in front of a sold-out crowd at Yokahoma Stadium! Irish scrum-half Connor Murray was masterful in his work, providing quick, accurate service to his players for the entirety of his stint, and causing plenty of havoc with his kicking game too. A 3 try blitz in the first half saw the Irish take the game out of the reach of their opponents, before the heavens opened up in the second half, slowing the game down significantly which worked in favour of the Irish defending their lead. It was the forwards who dominated early for Ireland. James Ryan scored the opening try of the game in the 5th minute from close range, off the back of a fantastic break by his second-row partner Iain Henderson. Following that was captain and hooker Rory Best crashing over from the back of a rolling maul in the left corner of the field. Scottish scrum-half Greig Laidlaw kicked a penalty in the 20th minute to keep his side within touching distance of the Irish, but a third first half try, this time to Tadhg Furlong saw the World Number 1 side take a 19-3 lead into the break. When the two sides returned for the second half it was a completely different ball game as the rains had arrived. This led to plenty of second half errors for Scotland, who were throwing the ball around trying desperately to catch up to Ireland. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Ireland, as fly half Johnny Sexton picked up a minor groin strain leading to Connor Murray being forced to take over the goal-kicking duties from his halves partner. With the game clearly wrapped up, star halves Sexton and Murray were wrapped in cotton wool, taken from the field and replaced by back-ups Jack Carty and Luke McGrath respectively. Tadhg Beirne was given a yellow card in the 69th minute, reducing Ireland to 14 men for almost the remainder of the game. But even with that advantage the Scots failed to show anything in attack, the rain wreaking havoc as the Scottish passes refused to stick. Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell both tried hard for Scotland and looked dangerous at times. But their execution was ultimately lacking at the crucial moments, leaving Scotland with not a single try from their opening game of the tournament. Ireland managed one more try in the second half, this time Andrew Conway. This sealed the bonus point victory for the Irish, as well as a likely quarter-final showdown with the Springboks of South Africa. For Scotland, it’s back to the drawing board. They have plenty of work to do to fix their attack. Quite frankly, both Samoa and Japan will be licking their lips at the thought of upsetting Scotland after that display. It will be very interesting to see how Group A progresses, and which of Scotland, Samoa and Japan join Ireland in the quarter finals. Thanks for joining me Roarers! Stay tuned for the coverage of England vs Tonga, up next! Ireland - 27 Scotland - 3
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
George Gregan looks like a little puppet perched up on his stool. Not his greatest profile
Lara
Guest
Ireland way to good. Scotland.....nothing, absolutely nothing of note, even against 14. Japan chances of a quarter final are looking good.
Highlander
Guest
Your lot might be accused of bullying Derm, total control.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
That was very solid from the Irish. Showed some starch on defense in the second half. Impressive.
hammertime
Roar Rookie
Disappointing game. Not if I was Irish of course but was hoping for more. Ireland have been allowed to coast and Scotland's vaunted running game has just never materialised. Poor kicking, poor set piece and little ambition.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Full Time 80' Ireland win the scrum with 30 seconds to go. Looks like they'll run the clock down and give the forwards some runs. Siren sounds! McGrath bangs it into touch and that's fulltime! Ireland with a great win to open their campaign, however the Scots were never in it. They'll be left to lick their wounds after that poor performance, and while Ireland look to have wrapped up top place in their group, Samoa and Japan will be liking their chances of advancing to the quarter finals with a win over Scotland after that performance. Full time match report to come! Ireland - 27 Scotland - 3