Ireland’s final two games of the Six Nations

Ireland head into the last two games of this year’s Six Nations tournament with their fate firmly in their own hands after an impressive campaign so far. Joe Schmidt’s side have dispatched of France, Italy and Wales in the last three fixtures and remain the only unbeaten nation left in the tournament. They are also the only team left that can win the Triple Crown and the Grand Slam. Next up for Ireland is a tough test against Scotland, who have exceeded expectations with eye-opening wins against England and France. The Scots suffered their only defeat against Wales but a victory over Ireland would put them right in contention for the overall title.

Their recent 25-13 triumph over England has raised plenty of eyebrows after Huw Jones’ two tries led to a famous win. Underestimating an in-form Scotland outfit would be a grave mistake by Ireland and Joe Schmidt. It was no surprise that Townsend’s men played with huge heart but it’s the clinical nature of their play that has been so impressive throughout this year’s tournament. Ireland will be hoping that Jacob Stockdale adds to his ruthless try-scoring tally of four in this game and plenty rides on Johnny Sexton bouncing back from a poor kicking display against Wales last week.

Ireland head into the last two games of this year’s Six Nations tournament.

Sexton secured a vital victory against France with a magnificent drop-kick in the dying embers of the game. A win against Scotland coupled with an England victory over France would set up a winner-takes-all fixture at Twickenham between fierce rivals Ireland and England on the 17th of March. In last season’s game at the Aviva Stadium, Schmidt masterminded a narrow 13-9 win over Eddie Jones’ England who will be gunning for revenge no matter what the permutations are.

It has been far from plain sailing for England in this year’s Six Nations. Their contentious win over Wales and damaging defeat to Scotland shows evidence of a vulnerable team. Regardless of what the situation may or not be, the Millennium Trophy fixture will be one to remember as the new generation of both sides go head-to-head.