Ireland v Scotland: Three key battles

The battle between Johnny Sexton v Finn Russell is an obvious one but an undeniably pivotal department 

PIVOTAL BATTLE: Finn Russell during the Scotland rugby captain's run at the Stade de France in Paris. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Johnny Sexton v Finn Russell

An obvious one but an undeniably pivotal department. Scotland’s pack, if not quite at Ireland’s level, is much better equipped than in previous years. If it can get something like parity then it falls to Russell to pull the strings needed.

Neither backline leans as much as it did on the shoulders of their No 10. Ireland and Scotland have an abundance of talent in the centre and in the back three but these two remain the man who make most things tick.

The lineouts 

Not many teams have South Africa’s destructive capabilities out of touch but it's worth repeating that Scotland had four of their 17 lineouts stymied by the Boks and Ireland six of their 18. It leaves both sides with doubts over a crucial area of operations.

Scotland have stuck with George Turner at hooker despite concerns about his throwing while Dan Sheehan is called in to start after coming off the bench and nailing his darts in that defeat of the world champions. One to watch.

The benches 

Head-to-heads matter but rugby is now a 23-man game and Ireland demonstrated just how powerful their reserves are by neutralizing the feared Bomb Squad in that epic win against South Africa in Paris a fortnight ago.

Go through the eight-man roster there and it is immeasurably superior to that of the Scots who have lost two hookers in Dave Cherry and Stuart McInally and will need to bring on the inexperienced Ewan Ashman at some point.