Hooker Fraser Brown to start Scotland’s Six Nations opener against Ireland

Ireland begin their quest to re-claim the Six Nations title with an away game against Scotland at Murrayfield this afternoon.

Full-back Stuart Hogg went over twice in the opening quarter of the match before Alex Dunbar added a third, but Keith Earls’ 26th-minute reply just about kept the visitors in the fixture at the break.

Stand-in Paddy Jackson scored a try and converted three out of his four kicks at goal against Scotland and he was not helped by slow ball in the first half. Hopefully it will provide the players with motivation to play more exciting rugby.

Many Six Nations predictions had neutrals breezily dreaming of a Grand Slam decider when Ireland host England in Dublin on March 18.

Ringrose scored his first global try in a 27-24 win over Australia last time he put on an Ireland shirt and will be hoping and expected to maintain that form on the big stage in the next few weeks.

One aspect he will be looking out for is how referees implement new guidelines introduced to cut out high tackles, guidelines that are widely expected to produce a slew of yellow cards as players adapt their techniques.

The Scots looked heavy-legged and hanging on, but they raised themselves with John Barclay a key presence, winning a penalty in midfield and then another in the 22 which allowed Laidlaw to restore the lead.

Converted scores from Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson after the interval had Ireland ahead by a point and Scotland fans could have been forgiven for fearing another narrow defeat like the ones suffered against Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup and in the November Test a year ago. We defended very well for long periods. I have played in games when we have had to defend for huge parts of the game. To be a truly great team, Ireland need to build on their performances and be consistent in their victories. Though still ended up just one try short of a second bonus point. “It’s incredibly disappointing but I know that Vern (Cotter) and the Scottish lads will be happy with that to start their campaign”. I think we will get closer than those last two games in the Six Nations.

“But credit to Ireland in that second half they have intelligent coaches and changed their game plan and rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in to us”.

Having only made three caps for his country, the 22-year-old goes into the tournament fairly inexperienced but former Ireland boss Eddie O’Sullivan claims he is incredibly efficient and rarely makes mistakes. I feel that we are building something special here.