Ireland are set for a grand finish to the 2026 Six Nations, as Scotland travels to Dublin tomorrow with the Triple Crown on the line. With a box office Super Saturday on the cards, there are still 3 teams in the shootout for the championship, which will become 2 following the conclusion of tomorrow's affair at Lansdowne Road.
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With everything on the line tomorrow, both sides have named their strongest starting lineups for the final game of the tournament. Gregor Townsend has brought Max Williamson and Grant Gilchrist into the second row due to injuries to Gregor Brown and Scott Cummings, while Andy Farrell has named 24-year-old Darragh Murray for his Six Nations debut due to an injury to James Ryan.
"He's (Murray), well, first and foremost, he's a great rugby player. He's obviously very young, and he's had a very patient campaign so far. He's been an unbelievable teammate in how he's helped prepare everyone else through this Six Nations. It just shows that if you prepare well and keep showing everyone that you belong at this type of level, then people will put their trust in you."
3 KEY BATTLES: IRELAND VS SCOTLAND – 2026 SIX NATIONS
INSIDE CENTRE
Stuart McCloskey vs Sione Tuipulotu
Arguably, the two most in-form centers in World Rugby at the moment, the clash between Stuart McCloskey and Sione Tuipulotu in the middle of the park could decide tomorrow's game. With both 12's operating as two of their team's most dominant ball carriers and physical threats, many will be waiting to watch the two clash during tomorrow's game. Last year, Tuipulotu missed the clash between Ireland and Scotland due to injury.
“It's something a Scotland team hasn't done before, going into the last week with everything to play for. The way that we've attacked these Six Nations mentally is just one week at a time, truly. I know it's easy to say that up here, but that's really how we've attacked it." Tuipulotu shared with the media during the week.
After a long period sitting behind Bundee Aki, following the Connacht center's suspension, McCloskey has taken his opportunity and run with it, displacing the Connacht 12 who is on the bench tomorrow. This Six Nations, he has been Ireland's top ball carrier with 57 carries. Meanwhile, Scotland's top ball carrier is the man lining up in the same shirt as the Ulster center, giving their clash tomorrow all the more edge.
While Ireland's head coach spoke on Wednesday about the game being two sides that play free-flowing, expansive rugby, the team that wins the ground game tomorrow will undoubtedly have the edge. In order to shut down the electric rugby that Scotland was playing against France by winning in the trenches, Ireland will need McCloskey to come out on top and shut down the threat that Tuipuloto can offer.
WINGER
Robert Baloucoune vs Kyle Steyn.
Another Ulster star who has taken his shot and run a mile with it, Robert Balocoune, is one of the most in-form players in the world at the moment. With his electric pace and attractive style of play, the Ulster winger is one of Ireland's most dangerous players on the break and in open space. Meanwhile, Kyle Steyn is coming off a player of the match performance against France, scoring two tries against the defending champions at Murrayfield.
“I always do my homework. I always enjoy the opportunity of playing against different types of wingers, and that will definitely be the case, I suppose. Scotland have been class in this championship with really exciting backs, and obviously the wingers have been playing well." Baloucoune stated, speaking to the media about facing Steyn this weekend.
“I just see it as an opportunity to also show my ability on the pitch and back myself defensively. That’s something that I’ll look forward to. As a rugby player, I’ve built confidence from the wingers that I’ve played over the years, and I’ll take that into this week.”
While Baloucoune may offer a speedster threat, that leaves defenders trailing, Steyn may be one of the only wingers in the Six Nations who can match him in that area. Nearing the end of the tournament, the Scotland winger has more defenders beaten than any other player, as Scotland's top try scorer, besides Darcy Graham, who will line up on the opposite wing against the Irish for Tommy O'Brien to deal with.
“Kyle Steyn’s physical, he’s a physical carrier and knows his way around. I’ve played Darcy Graham quite a few times against Edinburgh, and he’s nippy, and he actually works around the nines quite well, so it’s something that I need to work on in my game, which is to get involved around like that.
“They’re two class wingers and know how to score.” Baloucoune added. “If you’re doing that, you’re doing well. it’ll definitely be a challenge for the weekend. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Tadhg Furlong vs Zander Faegerson.
Two players with over 50 caps and multiple Lions tour matches under their belt, in a game as big as a Triple Crown decider, experience will be key. With Tom O'Toole lining up at Loosehead, while inexperienced compared to the likes of Ferguson and Faegerson, the Ulster and Leinster prop combined in the front row for a significantly improved set piece against Wales.
With both sides having the worst scrum statistically in the Six Nations, with an 81.8% win rate from their own scrum. With such equal statistics, it will be up to which experienced star shows up on the day. Furlong started Ireland's clash with Wales last week. Meanwhile, Faegerson was named on the bench against France.
"No, the guys are working extremely hard to save the best of last, that's for sure. I mean obviously, there's the obvious stuff there as far as personnel and all the swapping and changing as far as that's concerned, but At the same time now, we know where that's at. So it's about delivering at the weekend, isn't it? But I've no qualms about it." Ireland's head coach answered when questioned about the scrum.
With Furlong and Faegerson both starting the game, Scotland will potentially have an edge in the front row due to their replacements. While Ireland has named Michael Milne and Finlay Bealham as replacements, Gregor Townsend has a 47-capped international and two-time Lions tour member, Rory Sutherland, to bring on from the bench.
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