There are three British & Irish Lions in Scotland's starting XV to take on Ireland this weekend in the first weekend of the RBS 6 Nations with a fourth on the bench.

Vern Cotter has named a settled looking side as they welcome Ireland to BT Murrayfield and after a strong autumn for both sides confidence is high.

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2013 Lions Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland and Richie Gray all start for the Scots while 2009 tourist Ross Ford is on the bench.

And with the 2017 Tour to New Zealand later this year, Lions Head Coach Warren Gatland will be playing close attention to events in the Scottish capital.

But for Cotter there is every chance that his Scotland side – who have beaten Italy, France and Argentina in the last year – can do the business.

"Facing Ireland first up doesn't get much harder,” he said.