Rugby betting: Six Nations - Ireland vs Scotland

This must surely rate as the least glamorous Six Nations contest of the weekend as a struggling Scotland, who haven't scored a try yet, travel to Dublin in the hope of knocking off a team who are so lacking in confidence that they have the fewest World Ranking points since 2001.

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Ireland have had a torrid 12 months and although there were signs of a resurrection against the French in Paris during the last round, the 26-21 scoreline was slightly fortuitous. France went to sleep in the second half against what was a rousing performance from Eddie O'Sullivan's men. What was interesting to note in that game was that Ireland only conceded one penalty during the entire match.

That detail shows that O'Sullivan is slowly getting things back on track. Ireland seemed to derail last year after they failed to win the Six Nations in what was probably the best chance for this crop of players.

Like Italy, Ireland welcome back their talisman player to the bench after a spell of injury, and if Paul O'Connell has any clout in the Ireland dressing room at all, he will be able to keep Ireland's Six Nations momentum going from where it left off in Paris.

Although Ireland are sheepishly on the way back, it seems that Scotland are in no position to dent their hosts' confidence any further. Yet to cross the tryline in their past three Six Nations fixtures, Scotland look unable to deal with the extra bulk that they put on for the World Cup. Big, clumsy, and slow of thought, Frank Hadden's men plod from one set-piece to the other, relying solely on the boot of the most accurate place-kicker in the world, Chris Paterson.

It's not much of a gameplan to rely on Paterson to be fair, and where Scotland were looking at a possible tilt at the title before the championship began, the Scots are now desperately facing the prospect of a Six Nations wooden spoon face-off with Italy in Rome in the final round.

Their points difference in this competition is in a shocking state and the 6/4 with Bet365 about them receiving a nice bit of pine cutlery at the end of the tournament looks value.

Although historically this is a high-scoring fixture, it is difficult to see where the tries are going to come from, especially with Scotland's reliance on Paterson. Blue Square offer total tries under 3.5 at 5/6 and with Scotland malfunctioning in that department, and Ireland's frail confidence indicating they just want a win at all costs, that might just be the best bet of the game.

Verdict: 1pt under 3.5 tries @ 5/6 (Blue Square)

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