Scots will look to soften up weary Irish

A home game against a winless side trying to avoid a wooden spoon really should not have this much importance placed on it for Ireland.

Yet today’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Scotland at the Aviva Stadium is just as much a crossroads game for the home side as it is for the visitors.

It has been a messy championship for head coach Declan Kidney and his players, one full of unforeseen disruptions and more predictable casualty rates; of fitful performances, irritating errors and tantalising glimpses of this group’s potential that make the return of a loss, a win and a draw from the opening three games all the more frustrating.