Ireland v Scotland, Autumn Nations Cup 2020 final round: What time is kick-off today, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?
What is it?
The Autumn Nations Cup third-place play-off as Ireland host Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
When is it?
Saturday, December 5.
What time is kick-off?
2.15pm.
What TV channel is it on?
Amazon Prime.
Read more: How to watch Autumn Nation Cup games live
What is the latest team news?
Ireland
Johnny Sexton will return from a hamstring problem to captain Ireland.
Head coach Andy Farrell, who admitted last weekend's underwhelming 23-10 win over Georgia was not acceptable, has made six changes to his starting XV as he bids to end an inconsistent first year in charge on a high.
Veteran skipper Sexton - forced off in the win over Wales on the opening weekend of the tournament - has replaced the injured Billy Burns at fly-half to recommence his long-standing half-back partnership with Conor Murray.
Uncapped Ulster prop Eric O'Sullivan has been named among the replacements and could make his international debut.
Experienced prop Cian Healy has also been restored to the line-up, while No 8 Caelan Doris and flanker Peter O'Mahony will return to join CJ Stander in the back row.
Centre Robbie Henshaw, who has missed the last two games with a groin problem, and Bundee Aki will resume their midfield partnership for the clash in Dublin.
A groin issue for winger James Lowe has resulted in Farrell selecting an unchanged back three of Jacob Stockdale, Keith Earls and Hugo Keenan.
Tighthead prop Andrew Porter and locks Iain Henderson and James Ryan have also retained their starting spots.
The recall for Doris will see Stander move from the centre of the back row to blindside flanker, with O'Mahony selected at openside.
Farrell, whose tenure to date was on Monday assessed as an "average return" by the Irish Rugby Football Union, has dropped Chris Farrell to a bench completed by 25-year-old rookie O'Sullivan, Ronan Kelleher, John Ryan, Quinn Roux, Josh Van Der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park and Ross Byrne.
Scotland
Edinburgh fly-half Jaco van de Walt will make his Scotland debut against Ireland in Dublin. The 26-year-old Edinburgh playmaker has now completed his residency qualification.
The South Africa-born star follows Finn Russell, Adam Hastings, Stuart Hogg and Duncan Weir into Scotland's 10 role in this Autumn Nations Cup campaign.
Head coach Gregor Townsend has made six changes for the Aviva Stadium clash, with captain Hogg set to win his 80th cap.
Saracens centre Duncan Taylor will make his first Scotland start since the 2019 World Cup for the third-fourth place play-off encounter.
Saracens wing Sean Maitland will win his 50th Scotland cap should he step off the bench.
Blair Kinghorn misses out due to a broken finger, while George Horne has not quite shaken off a foot issue.
Hamish Watson was fit for selection but Townsend opted to shake up his back-row resources.
What are the complete final-round fixtures?
How did the group stages finish?
What have we said about the match?
Jonathan Sexton determined to play for Ireland at Test level for as long as possible
Ten ways to improve international rugby, according to Telegraph readers
What are the odds?
Betting on the match? Get the latest offers and free bets here
Ireland to win 1/4
Scotland to win 3/1
Draw 22/1
What's our prediction?
The last time Scotland took on Ireland at the Aviva, it resulted in a narrow 19-12 Six Nations loss. And their sense of frustration was highlighted when skipper Stuart Hogg knocked on in the act of touching down for a second-half try.
The Scots have not won in the Irish capital for 10 years, but they showed their mettle on the road by recently beating Wales at Parc y Scarlets, which was a first triumph on Welsh soil since 2002. Expect this to be close.
Predicted score: Ireland 15 Scotland 12
