Six Nations: Ireland and Scotland get fitness boosts ahead of Dubai showdown

Dan Owen 17:00 05/03/2018
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  • Tadhg Furlong is expected to be back in contention for Ireland at the weekend.

    Ireland expect Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson to prove their fitness in time to face Scotland in Saturday’s Six Nations clash in Dublin.

    The British and Irish Lions duo missed Ireland’s 37-27 win over Wales on February 24 and have since been battling to be fit for the Scotland encounter.

    Despite missing the pair, Ireland were still able to record a bonus-point win over Wales, with Andrew Porter proving to be a more-than-able deputy at tighthead.

    Ireland have racked up three straight wins in this year’s tournament and are now closing in on a third title in five years, and will be keen to avenge their loss at Murrayfield in the competition last year.

    Meanwhile, fit-again Richie Gray has been added to the Scotland squad for the remainder of the Six Nations, the Scottish Rugby Union has announced.

    The experienced second-row forward returns from long-term back and calf injuries to be named in Gregor Townsend’s revised squad ahead of their final two fixtures against Ireland and Italy, with 10 players added in total.

    Alex Dunbar, Zander Fagerson, Darryl Marfo and Fraser Brown are also recalled after injuries, while George Horne has been handed a first senior call-up.

    Townsend will be hoping his side can follow-up on their back-to-back wins over France and England – with a win in Dublin throwing them right back in the mix for the Championship – especially with them set to face Italy on the final day of the campaign.

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