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The opening game of Super Saturday is, anticlimactically, the one with the most stakes. In the home dressing room, Ireland are bidding to win their first Six Nations title since 2024, and fourth Triple Crown in five years. Their opponents can double or quits those records. Despite a deflating loss in Rome in round one, Scotland are seeking a first every Six Nations title in this era, and a first Triple Crown since 1990.
The aim is to win, but a loss for either nation would be a demoralising end to the championship. That said, the history books are slapping up pundits in the face; as Ireland look to continue their record setting longest winning run over their Celtic cousins.
The question is, does anyone beat Scotland 12 times in a row?
Last Scotland Win: 27-22 in 2017 Six Nations (Murrayfield)
It must be cause metaphorical hairloss for Gregor Townsend that he is the only Scottish head coach since Frank Hadden and Matt Williams not to beat Ireland, with Vern Cotter at the helm for this 2017 snatch and grab.
Ireland’s title hopes derailed on opening day courtesy of a dream start by the hosts. Stuart Hogg (twice) and Alex Dunbar all dotted down to give Scotland a 21-5 cushion at the half hour mark, which Ireland could not claw back.
That would mark Scotland’s third win of the decade over Ireland to that point, but what followed would be misery.
Ireland Win #1: 28-8 in 2018 Six Nations (Aviva Stadium)
No one could stop Ireland in 2018, and Scotland were no different. In the first of three meetings between Townsend and Joe Schmidt, Ireland secured the title with a game to spare in Dublin.
Both teams entered this fixture with important wins over Wales and England respectively before a rest week, but helped by a brace of tries by man of the hour Jacob Stockda,e and one from Conor Murray; Ireland soared past a Scottish side riding the crest of a wave.
Ireland Win #2: 13-22 in 2019 Six Nations (Murrayfield)
As would become a theme in the years to come, Ireland’s next victory was one that got away for Scotland. An Irish team hammered by England in round one entered without the likes of Iain Henderson, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, Robbie Henshaw and Garry Ringrose.
Johnny Sexton also went off injured after just 24’ minutes, but at that stage Ireland were already 12-3 to the good, with the aforementioned Stockdale and Murray dotting down.
A second Keith Earls try was enough to keep Ireland out in front and home to victory.
Ireland Win #3: 27-3 in 2019 Rugby World Cup (Yokohama, Japan)
The most dominant Irish win by scoreline since 2015, and another harrowing one for Scotland. Both sides would leave Japan disappointed, but there was no real contest in their opening Pool A clash.
Another first half flurry of tries through James Ryan, Rory Best and Tadhg Furlong made light work of a Scottish effort who managed just three points in the heavy rain.
Ireland were again injury hit but it proved to be a false dawn victory at a disasterous World Cup.
Ireland Win #4: 19-12 in 2020 Six Nations (Aviva Stadium)
The first of many Farrell-Townsend contests, and a case of what could have been. Stuart Hogg’s costly knockon with the tryline underneath his fingertips denying Scotland a famous win.
This was an Irish team firmly in transition with Caelan Doris and Ronan Kelleher among their debutants in this one. The current Ireland captain was withdrawn early due to injury, with Johnny Sexton’s first half try the difference between the sides.
Ireland Win #5: 31-16 in 2020 Autumn Nations Cup Play-Off (Aviva Stadium)
Covid struck the world in 2020, and rugby had to find ways to keep the show. Up stepped the Autumn Nations Cup, in lieu of no November tests, where these sides met again.
Scotland led 9-3 in this game before Ireland shot into gear. A Keith Earls brace either side of a Cian Healy try moved them 25-9 up, and home and hosed.
Ireland Win #6: 24-27 in 2021 Six Nations (Murrayfield)
If Ireland ever stole one, it was in 2021. Andy Farrell would probably have lost his job if not for this game, and a win over England a week later which helped Ireland pip the Scots into third.
The visitors led at the break thanks to the boot of Johnny Sexton, and went 21-10 up after Tadhg Beirne’s second half try. Scotland hit back however through Huw Jones and Hamish Watson, who dragged them back level with five minutes to go.
But Ireland had time to march upfield and squeeze a late penalty, which Sexton converted, to ensure a near-fatal disaster would be just alright.
Ireland Win #7: 26-5 in 2022 Six Nations (Aviva Stadium)
2022 was the peak rollercoaster of Scotland. Beat England, lose in Cardiff, thumped by France, win in Rome and then swatted aside by Ireland.
Andy Farrell’s first piece of silverware came in this game as they secured a first Triple Crown since 2018 in another fixture over by half time, with Ireland 14-5 to the good.
It could have gone differently if not for a world-class Hugo Keenan try saver on Hogg; but Ireland prevailed comfortably in the end, as they would take on Saturday.
Ireland Win #8: 7-22 in 2023 Six Nations (Murrayfield)
This was the moment Scotland started to feel cursed. Everything was teed up for them to spoil Ireland’s path to a slam, but instead, they tripped over every green obstacle.
Ireland led 8-7 at half-time, but lost Caelan Doris, Dan Sheehan and Iain Henderson to injuries. Cian Healy then replaced Ronan Kelleher at hooker, as Andrew Porter went the full 80.
Yet, somehow, Ireland’s lineout never wavered, scoring 14 points in the 15 minutes following this switch with Jack Conan’s try sealing a strange victory worthy of a slam.
Ireland Win #9: 36-14 in 2023 Rugby World Cup (Paris)
Another game and another World Cup over before it started for Scotland. This do or die clash came on the final weekend of pool action, with South Africa already qualified despite a loss to Ireland.
Needing a big start to unsettle the then World Cup favourites, Scotland trailed after just two minutes, and were 36-0 behind before their first score of the game.
At that stage, to compound errors, the Stade de France was running out of beer at an alarming rate.
Ireland Win #10: 17-13 in 2024 Six Nations (Aviva Stadium)
Strangely enough, Scotland’s best away performances seem to come right after World Cups; and this was no different.
Ireland had their grand slam aspirations dashed a week prior, and Scotland continued the frustration; but again coming undone by being unable to break down Ireland’s defence.
Huw Jones breathed life into the fixture with a late, late try; but Ireland hung on to defend their Six Nations title.
Ireland Win #11: 18-32 in 2025 Six Nations (Murrayfield)
It is easy to memoryhole the fact that Ireland secured their Triple Crown in round three last year, and were on for another title; helped by the fumes of a big win like this one.
Scottish misfortune again came up trumps to a degree with Finn Russell and and Darcy Graham clashing heads and having to be replaced. Ireland led by 12 at the break and although they just missed out on a try bonus point, it was another typical win over their rivals.
This Week…
So will Ireland make it a dozen up on Scotland; or will Gregor Townsend make history by bring silverware to the northern-most team in the competition?
The most recent of form screams Scotland, given what they did to France; but Dublin is an unhappy hunting ground with just one win this century.
But records are like rules, because they are made to be broken.
