Rugby

The key facts as Scotland v Ireland in opening Rugby Six Nations battle

Ireland's Rory Best goes against Scotland's David Denton (left) and Ryan Wilson during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Ireland's Rory Best goes against Scotland's David Denton (left) and Ryan Wilson during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland Ireland's Rory Best goes against Scotland's David Denton (left) and Ryan Wilson during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland

Scotland and Ireland will open the 2017 RBS 6 Nations championship at Murrayfield today.

Here we look at some key facts surrounding the fixture:

:: Ireland and Scotland have met 132 times, with Scotland winning 66, Ireland 61 and five matches ending in draws.

:: Rory Best will make his 51st consecutive Six Nations appearance on his 17th outing as Ireland captain. The Ulster hooker will also be making his 34th straight start in the tournament.

:: Garry Ringrose will make his Six Nations debut against Scotland, the 22-year-old Leinster centre in line for his fourth cap.

:: Ireland's much-heralded tighthead prop Tadhg Furlong has been one of Europe's form front-rowers this term, but will make his first Six Nations start at Murrayfield on Saturday.

:: Replacement fly-half Ian Keatley could make his first Test appearance since Ireland's 26-3 win over Italy on February 7, 2015.

:: Number eight Jamie Heaslip will draw level with Malcolm O'Kelly on 92 caps as Ireland's eighth most-capped player this weekend.

:: Full-back Rob Kearney will overtake former Ireland stars David Humphreys, Geordan Murphy and David Wallace by winning his 73rd cap.

:: Greig Laidlaw will extend his Scotland captaincy record to 30 matches this weekend.

:: Brothers Jonny and Richie Gray will start in the second row for the 18th time for Scotland.

:: Edinburgh prop Allan Dell and Stormers centre Huw Jones will make their Six Nations debuts for Scotland against Ireland.