What if Scotland beat the odds? Ireland, in a good position after its superb victory against South Africa, title holders, can lose everything against its Celtic neighbor on Saturday (9:00 p.m.) at the Stade de France, in the last shock of the “group of death” of the 2023 World Cup. On paper, the Irish favorites, impressive against the Springboks (13-8) on September 23 in Saint-Denis, should make short work of the Scots and finish at the top of Pool B. The N.1s World Rugby rankings remain on 16 consecutive victories in all competitions. Against Scotland, Johnny Sexton’s gang have won their last eight confrontations, with an average gap of 14 points. A victory would propel the XV du Trèfle into the quarter-finals. A defeat and everything could be reshuffled, depending on the bonuses and the point difference. Certain scenarios would even eliminate Ireland from the French World Cup! An industrial disaster for a team which is openly aiming for the title but has never yet made it past the quarter-finals. (with AFP)
Composition de l’Irlande : Keenan – Hansen, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe – (o) Sexton (cap.), (m) Gibson-Park – Van der Flier, Doris, O’Mahony – Henderson, Beirne – Furlong, Sheehan, Porter
Remplaçants : Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Murray, Crowley, McCloskey
Composition of Scotland: Kinghorn – Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe – (o) Russell, (m) Price – Darge, Dempsey, Ritchie (cap.) – Gilchrist, Gray – Fagerson, Turner, Schoeman
Remplaçants : Ashman, Sutherland, Nel, Cummings, Fagerson, Crosbie, Horne, Smith
