I don’t think there’s any extra rivalry, but it’s definitely more on the Irish side,” said Gregor Townsend ahead of Scotland’s Six Nations clash with Ireland. “I think teams want to build up something to provide extra motivation so maybe it’s more on the Irish side or the Irish media side that there’s this rivalry or needle to give them extra motivation on why they want to win again.

The Scots have lost each of their last 10 meetings against the Irish in a run stretching back to February 2017.

The Scots last enjoyed a win over Ireland in 2017 – four months before current coach Gregor Townsend took charge. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Sunday, 9 February Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Coverage: Watch on BBC One & BBC iPlayer; live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds Ireland wing Mack Hansen is set to miss Sunday's Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield because of a

MACK HANSEN HAS been ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations clash against Scotland tomorrow in Edinburgh [KO 3pm, RTÉ/BBC], with Calvin Nash coming into the team on the right wing. Connacht wing Hansen was named in Ireland’s starting XV yesterday but he took no part in their captain’s run at Murrayfield this afternoon and has now been officially ruled out.