Ireland are inflating scope of Scottish threat

Yet while there are convincing arguments for a rejuvenated, powerful, all-singing and Scottish dancing team assembled by Vern Cotter to finally come good in the RBS 6 Nations, there is also compelling evidence that Ireland have no small amount of momentum themselves and a loss here at Murrayfield this afternoon would represent a serious setback for head coach Joe Schmidt.
No-one expected Schmidt to declare his world number four-ranked side red-hot favourites for this 2017 Championship opener, bonus points and all, despite the seriously good form and wonderful intensity they showed during their historic November series.