Joe Schmidt adamant Ireland in for torrid time against Scotland

The bookmakers may not fancy Scotland lifting any silverware at the end of this season’s RBS 6 Nations but Joe Schmidt believes Ireland are in for a torrid time when his side begins its campaign at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Irish are second favourites to regain a title they lost to England in 2016 with supporters already pencilling in what they believe will be a Grand Slam decider against Eddie Jones’s defending champions on March 18. The Scots, meanwhile, are rated 25/1 outsiders in a tournament in which they have never finished higher than third.

The expectation, backed by two big wins for Ireland over Vern Cotter’s side on the last day of the past two seasons, is Saturday’s trip to Edinburgh is a slam dunk for captain Rory Best and his players having won 40-10 there in 2015 in defend their title.