Scotland just about survive, but the visitors have a penalty to fall back on after Grant Gilchrist is caught offside.

Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast kicks to the corner.

Robbie Henshaw smashes his way into the Scotland 22.

Ireland have real momentum here...

Blair Kinghorn gathers his own little dink over the top of the Ireland defence, but can't quite get a pass away just as space opened up.

There's then a Scotland knock-on and a first chance to take a breath.

Andrew Cotter
BBC commentator at Murrayfield

The platform to attack only comes from powerful ball-carrying, where Ireland seem to have the edge and Scotland will simply have to match the visitors to have a chance.

The starting midfield partnerships are fascinating - Robbie Henshaw alongside Bundee Aki in a muscular Irish combination, while Scotland have gone for the skilful Tom Jordan to start at inside centre beside Huw Jones.

Ireland certainly go into the game as favourites and 10 successive wins over the Scots will give them no end of confidence, but don't be surprised if this one is close.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Murrayfield

Shivers.

The Aviva last week was much louder than usual, but it's a different level in here this afternoon.

Referee James Doleman peeps his whistle, Sam Prendergast kicks high and away we go.

Co-captain Rory Darge said this week he hopes the presence of Sir Chris Hoy can inspire Scotland.

Cycling legend Hoy announced in October he has terminal cancer, and spoke this week about how his drive to raise awareness of the disease has "given me a purpose".

The six-time Olympic gold medallist has just delivered the match ball. He arrived in some style earlier.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby tells BBC Sport: "We know we need to come here and play our best to get a result.

"I think we were always thinking about making the change with Pete [O'Mahony] coming in. He hasn't had a lot of rugby but he had a really good week of training last week. He's been great around the group and that was an experience call and what he can deliver.

"Robbie [Henshaw], Garry [Ringrose], Bundee [Aki] have been excellent in those 12/13 roles. There's huge competition.

"It's making sure we're good at the start of the game but Garry brings a lot of experience and freshness off the bench."

Off the field, as well as on it.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Getty Images

The players are out at a packed-out Murrayfield.

Flower of Scotland will follow Ireland's Call.

Donncha O'Callaghan
Former Ireland lock on BBC Radio 5 Live

Today really is a Lions trial as well.

You look at some of the matchups, be it in the back three, the back row or in the scrum, all over the pitch - these are players who are playing for honours beyond this today.

The aspiration of any player at this level is to go on a Lions tour and these two sets of players are going to leave it all out there today to hopefully book their place on a trip of a lifetime.

Head-to-head

• Ireland's last defeat to Scotland came at Murrayfield in the Six Nations, a 27-22 round one loss in the 2017.

• The Scots have won four of their 25 matches against Ireland in the Six Nations, losing 21.

Scotland

• Scotland have won eight of their previous nine Tests since losing to Ireland in the final round of the 2024 Six Nations.

• Since Sione Tuipulotu's debut in 2022, the Scots have won just two Six Nations games without him in the side, versus Italy in 2022 and 2025.

• Huw Jones has scored a try in each of his last three Six Nations games against Ireland.

Ireland

• Ireland are aiming to become the first side to win three successive Six Nations titles.

• The Irish achieved the highest line-out success rate in Six Nations history against England, winning 23 of 23.

• Cian Healy is set to win an Irish record 66th Six Nations cap from the bench, putting him beyond Brian O'Driscoll's previous mark of 65.

John Barclay
Former Scotland captain on BBC One

Tom Jordan is a 10 that likes the physical side. You don't want Finn Russell touching the ball too many times. Jordan's job is to take pressure off Russell to let Finn see the wider picture.

When he has come on, he has done so well. His passing game is excellent and he carries well too.

Ronan O'Gara
Former Ireland fly-half speaking on BBC One

The biggest point for me is Tom Jordan. [Sione] Tuipulotu at 12, he makes a difference potentially for Scotland.

You've a guy who plays 10 playing 12 in a Test match against Bundee Aki.

We all know the first 30 minutes there's going to be collisions, but will Scotland outthink Ireland, try and move them and then play a phase game?

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells BBC Sport: "They have been outstanding over [the last 10 meetings]. They are always a difficult opponent and it will be another tough match today.

"Rory [Sutherland] and Jack [Dempsey] in the forwards bring real speed in terms of their carrying power and Rory with his scrummaging. They've earned their start.

"Tom [Jordan] has really taken to Test match rugby. 12 is his original position and to see him come on last week and get on ball, be aggressive - we feel he deserves a start.

"We've focused a lot on our game. Maybe in the past we've looked at Ireland too much, but this is about us."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Murrayfield

A large section of the press pack at Murrayfield are seated between the two coaches' boxes.

Gregor Townsend was all smiles as he popped into the home hut a little bit earlier before going down to oversee the team's warm-up.

He looked nice and relaxed. Will he still be smiling in a couple of hours? He isn't usually after facing Ireland, but maybe today's the day...

Scotland centre Huw Jones tells BBC Sport:

"We've had a massive week of prep for this one. We know it's going to be a huge challenge, we're keen to get going.

"Tom Jordan is a brilliant player. We all know at Glasgow what he can do, the aggression he brings. I'm looking forward to playing with him today.

"We need to be at our absolute best. We know the challenges they bring."

Tom Jordan made a superb impact off the bench against Italy last week, was superb in the autumn playing out of position at full-back, and has been a crucial figure in Glasgow's recent success.

This is a whole new challenge for him though, against one of the world's top sides.

His ability to play as a second playmaker alongside Finn Russell, especially in Sione Tuipulotu's absence, will be crucial if Scotland are to unlock Ireland's defence.

He knows his centre partner and Glasgow teammates Huw Jones well, but they have played just 35 minutes as a pair this season - they will need to be at it from minute one.

Image source, SNS

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

In Dublin last year, Ireland got off to a shaky start against the Scots. In the opening minutes they gave away a penalty, a free-kick, got charged down and turned over. Finn Russell made it 3-0. An encouraging beginning.

Then Scotland messed up. They had a lineout close to their own line and threw it to Dan Sheehan, who went over. That game was a proper physical battle, with a four-point gap at the end. Scotland gave Ireland a free seven to Sheehan.

'Cheap points' is a term used by successive Scotland captains against Ireland. Over the 10 defeats, this kind of wounding error is a theme.

Every team makes mistakes but Scotland's mistakes in this fixture tend to be absolute whoppers. That has to stop.

Whether it be in Edinburgh or Dublin, in Paris or Yokohama, Ireland have had Scotland's number over the past seven years.

Scotland's last victory in this fixture came in 2017 - when Ireland were infamously irked by their late arriving bus - and today's visitors to Murrayfield have beaten them in seven Six Nations meetings, two World Cup clashes and once in the Autumn Nations Cup (remember that?) since.