Compiled by Gavin Cummiskey
Head to Head: Ireland's centres v Scotland's centres
Either way, Ireland should have the edge here. Now it's just a case of whether it's a cutting edge or sledgehammer edge.
If messrs O'Driscoll and D'Arcy somehow make tomorrow's short hop over to Edinburgh, it's goodnight Vienna for Andy Craig and Hugo Southwell. The Scottish defence in general may have improved dramatically over the last year but even rugby league coaches have been left scratching their heads by the Leinster duo.
Then there's the flipside, which on closer inspection isn't so bad. The hot favourites to step in would be Shane Horgan and Kevin Maggs. Now both may be slightly more direct than their injured colleagues but Horgan, especially, brings certain nuances that can unlock the Murrayfield midfield.
"Maggs and Horgan are more direct runners than O'Driscoll and D'Arcy so defending against them will be different from what we expected," said an enlightened Craig this week. The question is whom are they preparing for? And secondly, will it really matter?
Cut to the quick: Gwent police confirmed this week that a Welsh fan "severed" his own testicles in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's historic victory over England at the Millennium stadium.
An ambulance was called to the Leigh Social Club in Caerphilly after the self-inflicted damage. It is believed the fan made a rash promise to his mates about what he would do if Wales won. The fan(atic) is believed to be still in hospital.
The Six Nations is close to this column's heart but not its nether regions. Having said that, no one is denying the Welsh passion hence forth.
Leinster pair get call: There are two changes to the Irish women's team to play Scotland in Murrayfield this weekend. Leinster duo Joanne O'Sullivan and Orla Brennan move up from the bench in place of Nuala Ní Chaidhain and Germaine Healy. Irish captain Sarah-Jane Belton and Amanda Greensmith, who were forced off in last weekend's 19-17 defeat in Madrid, have been cleared to play.
Kick-off has been pushed back to 5.45 p.m. and the SRFU has indicated that those without tickets for the men's game can gain entry to the ground.
Ireland: A Greensmith (Shannon); S Fleming (Cooke), J O'Sullivan (Lichfield), P Kelly (UL Bohemians), L Cantwell (UL Bohemians); S-J Belton (capt, UL Bohemians), T Rosser (Blackrock); F Coughlan (UL Bohemians), J Lonergan (Shannon), E Coen (UL Bohemians); R Foley (Shannon), O Brennan (Navan); R Boyd (Cooke), J Leacy (Blackrock), J Neville (Shannon). Replacements: M Barrett (Highfield), E Stanley (UL Bohemians), G Healy (Blackrock), R Tucker (UL Bohemians), L Beamish (UL Bohemians), G Davitt (Boyne) N Ní Chaidhan (Galwegians),
Kirwan keeps faith: The Italians may be off the Irish radar screen for another year but John Kirwan's side still have an important role to play in Ireland's fortunes.
Kirwan has stuck with the same starting XV, including Padova outhalf Luciano Orquera for this weekend's visit of Wales but has relieved him of the kicking duties after a woeful display against Ireland. Full-back Roland de Marigny takes over.
Bookies' Corner: Moving off the regular stuff we are going for a tasty 28 to 1 bet on the sides being deadlocked at half-time in Murrayfield, with Ireland to be in front by the finish. The other Boylesports half-time/full-time odds are as follows:
Scotland V Ireland (Half-time/Full-time)
1-2 Ireland/Ireland; 7-2 Scotland/Scotland; 13-2 Scotland/Ireland; 10/1 Ireland/Scotland; 28/1 Draw/Ireland; 33/1 Draw/Scotland; 50/1 Scotland/Draw; 66/1 Ireland/Draw; 100/1 Draw/Draw.
