Ireland must stop Scots’ two towers

1 THE SECOND ROW

If a Lions Test second row pairing was to be selected on the basis of the opening three games of the Six Nations, it would feature Paul O’Connell along with Scotland’s young dynamo Richie Gray. O’Connell has been outstanding for Ireland in the championship while, as a combination, Gray, and his equally monstrous partner Jim Hamilton, have been making a nuisance of themselves, especially when it comes to contesting lineout ball. At 6’9” and 6’8” respectively, they form a very competitive force in the air.

Ireland’s lineout, even with O’Connell on board, has faltered somewhat of late and will be put under even more pressure today. Donnacha Ryan has assumed the responsibility for running the lineout, a big ask for someone starting a Six Nations game for the first time.