Paddy v Ruaridh
BOTH OF THE Jackson boys have a plenty to prove in their international career. Scotland’s 10 has cemented himself in the position as a running and passing alternative to since injury cut his Six Nations short last year just as Dan Parks was saying goodbye to the dark blue shirt.
Ruaridh Jackson’s ability to run and distribute to a back-line which grows in confidence with each passing game together has made him a firm favourite over Duncan Weir for Scott Johnson as he attempts to give Scotland an attacking edge.
Ireland’s out-half will step into the first-receiver slot for the first time at international level with the country still divided as to who should have taken up the baton from the injured Jonathan Sexton.
Ulster’s number 10, Paddy Jackson, will take on the responsibility of kicking from the ground and from the hand for Ireland. Duties he has by-in-large deferred to Ruan Pienaar since the Springbok returned to the squad.
Look for Conor Murray, Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney and even Luke Marshall to lend a helping boot today. And Kearney just might be detailed with kicks from over 45 metres.
Donncha O’Callaghan v Richie Gray
Scotland’s traditional strength is by no means their only weapon. However, if Ireland’s most experienced pack member can use some of that 92-cap nous to disrupt and unsettle the Sale Shark, then a major weapon will be blunted for the opposition.
Gray will give the green line plenty of headaches in the loose too. And here the Munster lock must his his relative freshness to good effect.
Chances are (and fingers crossed for no further injuries) that O’Callaghan will not be asked to play much more than an hour. Two options for second row cover have been named on the bench and once DOC empties the tank Iain Henderson, and then Devin Toner, will be unleashed to finish the job.
Craig Gilroy v Tim VIsser
A probable Lion, The Netherlands’ finest export since Edam continues to look a cut above every level he plays at.
Nobody expected him to do anything but score a bagful of tries when Scotland toured the Pacific in the summer, but his searing pass has opened up South Africa, England and even New Zealand since.
Opposing him, Craig Gilroy who set Lansdowne alight with his November debut. The challenge for the Down man will be to defend against the flying Dutchman.
Questions about the Ulster wing’s contribution without the ball were pretty emphatically answered with two clinical, smashing tackles just as Wales looks set to make numbers count in the opening game of the Six Nations.
The hope, though, is that he doesn’t find the need to break the line in that fashion again. The hope is, that he makes Visser turn. And uses that elusive running style with the ball in two hands to keep the Edinburgh star from having a target to aim for.
