While Scotland boast a formidable backline capable of testing any team in the world, in-form Ireland should have enough to continue their winning run against their Celtic cousins, according to the RTÉ rugby panel.
Ireland have beaten Scotland in their last eight meetings, and should they make that nine on Saturday night in Paris, Andy Farrell's side will top Pool B and march into a World Cup quarter-final, most likely a date with New Zealand.
While South Africa are as good as qualified, an Irish slip-up could see the world champions finish on top with the Scots then advancing as runners-up.
The permutations – explained here – are numerous, but an Ireland win simplifies the whole process, and speaking on RTÉ’s Against The Head, former Ulster and Ireland centre Darren Cave believes that, once the attitude is where it needs to be, it should result in Ireland’s 17th successive victory.
"There’s nothing that worries me, nothing we haven’t seen before, nothing that Ireland won’t have a solution for," he said.
"I think the biggest challenge for Ireland is managing the mentality.
"The most dangerous thing about the Scots this week is they will have created this huge chip on their shoulder…’Ireland don’t respect us, Ireland don’t rate us’."
Donal Lenihan said the improvement in Scotland is reflective as much by those who aren’t playing than by those who are.
"Chris Harris, who played in the Lions series just two years ago, but can’t get into the Scottish midfield of Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu," he said.
"Scrum-half Ali Price started a Lions test two years ago, he can’t get in. That means they have strength in depth. They have Finn Russell at 10, who is an outstanding player.
"He is their strength, but he is also their weakness. You close him down, as has happened on numerous occasions in the past, and he tries to force his hand. That puts other people under pressure."
Lenihan, fulsome in his praise for the Scottish backline and backrow, says there are question marks over the front five, even more so given how Ireland lost four forwards in the Six Nations victory at Murrayfield earlier this year – where Cian Healy played the role of emergency hooker and Josh van der Flier took over lineout throwing – indicates that Farrell’s side still have the clear advantage over Saturday’s opponents.
"Mentally, Ireland have it over Scotland and that’s where this game could well be won."
Listen to live commentary of Ireland v Scotland on Saturday on RTÉ Radio 1, of follow a live blog on RTÉ.ie and the RTÉ News app.
