Out with the new, in with the old

IRELAND will look to the experience of Ronan O’Gara and Tommy Bowe to bring assurance to a potent yet clumsy back-line as they bid to return to winning ways in the Six Nations.

After a stuttering win over Italy in Rome opened this year’s championship on February 5 and an only slightly less error-strewn performance let France off the hook at the Aviva Stadium a week later, Ireland badly need victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday and coach Declan Kidney has turned to his tried and tested stars to help the cause.

Ospreys wing Bowe returns from a knee injury for his first game of the championship and the selection of O’Gara at fly-half for his 106th cap certainly brings added experience to the Irish side.