Ireland v Scotland: Record-breaking O’Driscoll to notch in win
Published:It’s an auspicious occasion at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll will displace Ronan O’Gara as his country’s highest ever appearance maker when he wins his 129th cap.
Already the RBS Six Nations leading all time try scorer, the records just keep on tumbling when O’Driscoll takes to the field in a green shirt.
The former Lions skipper makes a great bet at 11/4 to mark this unique appearance by doing what he does best and find the scoring line.
Hopes of the Championship are high on Irish shores also, despite Joe Schmidt being the only rookie coach at the 2014 edition.
The gut-wrenching 24-22 autumn defeat to the All Blacks may have left a bitter taste, but by running the world champions to within an inch, the bar of expectation on Kiwi coach Schmidt, has been hoisted.
Judging by Scotland’s trademark lacklustre start to the tournament – 2006 was the last time they triumphed on the opening weekend of proceedings – Ireland’s challenge for the trophy should get off to an unhindered start .
This theory is backed up by the Ireland’s heavy 1/6 favouritism to send Scott Johnson’s side back to Murrayfield defeated, while the Scottish upset is 9/2 and the draw a 25/1-shot.
The return to the bench of fit again full-back Stuart Hogg after injury is a massive plus for the visiting side, though the strength of the Irish pack could be the deciding factor in Dublin.
Scotland do have the memory of defeating Ireland 12-8 at Murrayfield in last year’s Six Nations to feed off and it’s unlikely to be a chastening defeat.
The fact that Ireland only scored over 15 points once in 2013’s edition makes the 5/1 on a winning margin of 1-5 points for the Irish an attractive prospect also.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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