Joe Schmidt v Gregor Townsend
Ireland were physically "bullied" last week but the head coach also got out-smarted by Eddie Jones.
Speaking to reporters after naming his team for Murrayfield, Schmidt asked rhetorically: "Did we do enough work last week? Did we get them primed the way we needed to be when we knew that brutality was coming? Did we push too hard on the side of being disciplined, trusting that officials would take care of foul play? Were we too clean? Do we need to push the boundary more?"
He'll have tormented himself all week finding the answers to those questions and he must ensure that Scotland don't get off to a similarly fast start. As they found out two years ago, turning up late in Murrayfield, both literally and mentality, is fatal.
Townsend, the 82-times capped former Scotland back, wasn't in charge two years ago but is building a healthy squad and his team won three of five Six Nations games last season. They have not been beaten here in the Six Nations since the start of the 2016 campaign.
"It'll be a huge battle," predicted Townsend, whose side sit top of the table after one round.
"Within that there are many battles. I think the depth Ireland have is amazing."
With the teams meeting in their opening World Cup game in September there will be plenty of time to parse over this game, and who out-smarted who.
Chris Farrell v Huw Jones
The Munster centre was man of the match in his last appearance for Ireland, the 37-27 win over Wales in 2018.
After recovering from a serious knee injury, Farrell quickly returned to form with the province and in the absence of Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw gets a big opportunity to stake a claim for a midfield berth.
Winning his fourth cap, the 25-year-old stands 6' 3" and weighs in at around 17 stone but he has good hands and is also very clever in contact. Schmidt may have been inclined to give the ex-Ulster man a start at some stage of the tournament but this was probably not part of the plan.
Jones, who wins his 20th cap tomorrow, didn't add to his ten international tries last week but can provide a spark of magic that dovetails with what Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg have to offer.
"We know we can put out a massive performance on any given day and beat most teams in the world. However, the key to it is doing that for five games in a row," he said.
Quinn Roux v Jonny Gray
Roux was omitted from the original Six Nations squad but injuries to Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne and now Devin Toner have landed the South African into the cauldron.
The 29-year-old was named-check by Schmidt and Rory Best as impressive during a 24-minute run-out last week when Toner suffered the ankle injury, which will keep him out for two months.
Scrum coach Greg Feek said: "Quinn has really stepped up in terms of calling the lineouts, leading the team and on the field, he's slotting in when he has pretty well.
The South African will share the lineout call duties with Peter O'Mahony but Schmidt will expect him to bring a massive presence around the pitch. His primary concern will be getting Ireland on the front foot.
Roux comes in for his tenth cap and will face off with Jonny Gray, who returns from a shoulder injury to win his 48th cap.
The Glasgow Warrior played in 10 Six Nations games in 2017 and 2018, when he led the championship tackle count with 100, and scored tries in autumn internationals against Australia and New Zealand.
"This game is set for a Jonny Gray performance of huge effort in defence and ball carrying," said Townsend.
"Together with his experience of playing at international level he was always going to come back into the team if he was fit."
