When the TikTok Women's Six Nations began in late March, there were hopes that this young Irish side could defy their inexperience and challenge for a top-half finish.
But after four defeats from four, and just 15 points cored along the way, Greg McWilliams side have had to endure a difficult campaign.
They cap off their championship away to Scotland in the shadows of Murrayfield, knowing they have to dig out their best performance in recent years to avoid a wooden spoon, which would bring with it consequences far greater than wounded pride.
With the new WXV tournament to follow later this year, the Six Nations placings will decide which tier Ireland go into for the new global championship. A bottom-place finish will see Ireland sitting alongside some of the games minnows in Tier 3.
A win on it's own won't necessarily be enough for Ireland, given their points difference of -141. In order to leapfrog Italy into fifth place, they'll realistically need a bonus-point victory over the Scots at the DAM Health Stadium, and they'll also need Italy to leave their game against Wales empty handed.
Should Italy get a point from their meeting with the Welsh, Ireland's task becomes even tougher. Not only will they need to pick up the try-scoring bonus, but they would also need to win by at least 16 points in order to swing ahead of Scotland on the points differential.
TV
The game is live on Virgin Media Two, with kickoff at 7.30pm. England v France (1pm) and Italy v Wales (3.30pm) are both live on RTÉ Player.
RADIO
You can listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 from 7.30pm, with the action continuing on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra from 9pm,
ONLINE
Follow live updates on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app.
WEATHER
It's expected to be a chilly evening in Edinburgh, with temperatures expected to stay just below 10C, with a chance of showers during the day.
Ireland head coach Greg McWilliams has named an unchanged side for the finale in Edinburgh.
Dorothy Wall has recovered from an ankle injury which kept her out of the game, but the 22-year-old must be content with a place on the bench, with Grace Moore and Brittany Hogan keeping their places on the flanks, either side of number 8 Deirbhile Nic a Bháird.
Linda Djougang has completed the return to play protocols for concussion, and starts at loosehead, alongside Christy Haney in the front row, while Sam Monaghan and Nichola Fryday pack down together at lock for the fifth game in a row.
In the backline, Dannah O'Brien and Molly Scuffil-McCabe are retained in the half-backs, with Aoife Dalton and Vicky Irwin paired in the centre.
Lauren Delany retains her place at full-back, while Natasja Behan and Aoife Doyle are on the wings having started every game so far in the championship.
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson isn't straying too far from a winning formula, with just one change to his side from last week's vital win against Italy.
Emma Orr comes back into the side at outside centre, having had to miss the Round 4 win due to concussion which she suffered a week previous in France.
Lisa Thomson drops out of the matchday 23, having started against the Italians, with the rest of the matchday squad unchanged.
Similar to Ireland, the Scots are dealing with an inexperienced backline, four of whom have fewer than 10 caps, but they have veteran Helen Nelson to steer them from out-half, on her 51st cap.
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith, Francesca McGhiee; Helen Nelson, Mairi McDonald; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle; Jade Konkel-Roberts, Louise McMillan; Rachel Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher.
Replacements: Jodie Rettie, Anne Young, Elliann Clarke, Eva Donaldson, Eilidh Sinclair, Caity Mattinson, Beth Blacklock, Liz Musgrove.
Ireland: Lauren Delany; Aoife Doyle, Aoife Dalton, Vicky Irwin, Natasja Behan; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Nichola Fryday (capt), Sam Monaghan; Brittany Hogan, Grace Moore, Deirbhile Nic a Bháird.
Replacements: Clara Nielson, Sadhbh McGrath, Kathryn Buggy, Hannah O'Connor, Dorothy Wall, Ailsa Hughes, Anna McGann, Méabh Deely.
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Clara Munarini (FIR)
Assistant Referee 2: Katherine Ritchie (RFU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR))
Bryan Easson (Scotland head coach): "We know Ireland will throw everything at us, but we know what to expect and will be ready for the challenge. We've focused on ourselves this week and if we get our processes right, the outcome will take care of itself."
Greg McWilliams (Ireland head coach): "It's important this week that we can marry resilience and the bravery that we showed in that game but be more clinical when we have the ball, be more clinical when we have the opportunity to mount some points.
"In the past, maybe the last game of the Six Nations didn't mean anything but this is a huge game for both countries. There is no doubt we are going out there to do our best to get the win."
Last five meetings
2022: Ireland 15-14 Scotland, Kingspan Stadium, Belgfast
2021: Ireland 18-20 Scotland, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi (World Cup qualifier)
2020: Ireland 18-14 England, Energia Park, Dublin
2019: Scotland 5-22 Ireland, Scotstoun, Glasgow
2018: Ireland 12-15 Scotland, Energia Park, Dublin
Ireland's meeting with Scotland is the final game of the championship, with England and France set to fight for the Grand Slam in front of a record crowd at Twickenham, with kickoff at 1pm, while Italy host Wales in Parma at 3.30pm, with both of those games live on RTÉ Player.
