But just before we move onto sensible rugby chat, there's time for this.

This pooch is ready and raring to go... he's just a couple of hours early.

Image source, Twitter

Scotland

• Scotland could win three successive Six Nations games for the first time.
• The last time the Scots were victorious in three consecutive Five Nations games was in 1996.
• They have lost eight of their last nine away games in the Six Nations, with the exception a 36-20 win in Italy in 2016.

Head-to-head

• The Scots can record back-to-back wins against the Irish for the first time since a five-match winning streak between 1995 and 1999.
• Scotland have only won one of their last 10 Test matches away to Ireland (all but one of those games were Six Nations matches), a 23-20 victory at Croke Park in March 2010.

Ireland

• Victory would see Ireland win 11 consecutive Test matches for the first time.
• Ireland have not lost at home in the Six Nations since a 2013 defeat to England, an unbeaten run of 13 games featuring 11 wins and two draws.
• Nine tries in this year's Six Nations have come from possession that began with a turnover - and six of them have been scored by Ireland.

Ireland are going for their longest winning streak in Test history. They sit on 10 victories in a row at the moment, equalling their previous best, but can Joe Schmidt's side add a new marker?

The teams are in the tunnel, the Aviva crowd are ready, let's get going.

Image source, SNS

Edinburgh back Blair Kinghorn will make his first Scotland start in place of injured Lions winger Tommy Seymour.

The 21-year-old made his debut as a replacement in the 25-13 win over England.

Glasgow pair Lee Jones and Fraser Brown, who replaces the injured Scott Lawson, are named on the bench.

Townsend has rewarded the players who have recorded back-to-back wins over France and England as they prepare to face the unbeaten Six Nations leaders.

Scotland: Hogg; Kinghorn, Jones, Maitland, Horne; Russell, Laidlaw; Reid, McInally, Berghan, Gilchrist, Gray, Barclay (c), Watson, Wilson.

Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Nel, Swinson, Denton, Price, Grigg, Jones.

Ben Jones: Personally, I'm against a bonus point system because some games can be high scoring and others are very contained and tight. Just because you score more tries doesn’t always mean your a better team. But I appreciate it promotes attacking and expansive rugby.

Image source, PA

Ireland have been boosted by the return of Tadhg Furlong and Garry Ringrose.

Fit-again tight-head prop Furlong returns to replace Andrew Porter, with Ringrose coming in at centre for the injured Chris Farrell.

Ulster lock Iain Henderson returns as a replacement as James Ryan and Devin Toner remain in the starting line-up.

Ireland: Kearney; Earls, Ringrose, Aki, Stockdale; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (capt), Furlong; Ryan, Toner; O'Mahony, Leavy, Stander.

Replacements: Cronin, McGrath, Porter, Henderson, Murphy, Marmion, Carbery, Larmour.

This is your 15 minute warning.

So let's have a look at today's teams...

Image source, Getty Images

Some play virtual hide and seek, some drink coffee, some read.

But Scotland captain John Barclay isn't a fan of virtual reality, and apparently banned games consoles in his hotel room this week.

They also need ice, and lots of it.

Scotland have apparently ordered in more ice bags for the match in Dublin. Their physio says he gets through more ice against Ireland and South Africa than any other nations Scotland play. They know whats coming.

Read Barclay's full column here.

I started the bonus point debate earlier, and I've had plenty of replies.

What do you think about a team winning the Six Nations title, having not won the most games?

By my calculations...

• A team could get four wins, with no bonus points, and sit on 16 points.
• Another team could get three wins, three try bonus-points and two losing bonus-points and sit on 17 points.

It seems unlikely, but not impossible...

Thoughts? #bbcsixnations or text 81111

Sara Orchard
BBC rugby union commentator at the Aviva Stadium

A pocket of Scottish fans in the Lansdowne Lane corner of the Aviva start dancing to the bag pipes, Flower of Scotland rings out before the stadium PA quickly plays over the top of them.

Twenty five minutes until kick-off...

Image source, Getty Images

The battle of the breakdown.

Sick of hearing about it yet? What even is the breakdown? Why is it so contentious?

Put simply, it's the period between open play and the formation of a ruck where players compete for possession.

You should see the player with two feet on the floor, supporting their own weight and attempting to get two hands on the ball.

And once a ruck has formed, no player can handle the ball.

But if you want a more in-depth answer, here are the full laws of the land., external

Andrew Cotter
BBC commentator

"So much of this game is about the breakdown. In Ireland and Scotland you have the two best teams at securing possession of the ball at rucks.

"And while Scotland were so good in that respect against England, they will face better competition here against perhaps the most street-wise side in the Championship.

"Ireland will be keen to tighten up their defence out wide but will also no doubt send a few high balls the way of Scotland wing Blair Kinghorn on only his second cap.

"Likewise Scotland will be looking to test another new Irish midfield of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose.

"But with both teams very capable of scoring tries it may well open up later on as Ireland chase the bonus-point victory which could bring them the title a week early."

There has been a lot of talk this week about the breakdown.

And I've worked hard crunching these figures, with some surprising results.

After England's torrid time at the breakdown against Scotland, in which they lost 10 rucks, they sit bottom of the 2018 Six Nations table for success rates at the ruck.

Ireland are top, having racked up 412 rucks in three games, but face a Scotland side who aren't in bad shape at the breakdown either.

BBC Sport app users may have to click on the link to view the Tweet.

Former Ireland number eight Heaslip was forced to retire because of injury last month, but there's no doubt his heart still lies with his former team-mates.

Stuart Geddes: Try bonus is a great incentive to play wonderful rugby... Loser bonus is ridiculous idea! The only way I would have losing bonus awarded is if the winning team has their try bonus and the losing side can get within a converted try!

Alan Dobson: Bonus points are good for the game - they promote attacking rugby and positivity.

Image source, Getty Images

Since joining in 2013, Joe Schmidt has coached Ireland to two Six Nations titles in four years - winning back to back crowns in 2014 and 2015.

But Ireland have not secured a Grand Slam since 2009, so could it be third time lucky for the New Zealander?

His side are now on a run of 10 straight victories stretching back to their win over England in March.

And in the last five campaigns, Ireland have not lost a single Six Nations home game under Schmidt.

"We have arrived! Four hours from now we'll know how much Edinburgh hurt this England team..." says Matt Dawson.

Troy Livingstone: Everyone is just assuming England will beat France, but you just know they're more than capable of giving us a real test.