Ireland vs France LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 score and result as Ireland win Dublin thriller

Up goes another Welsh hoist, hanging in the Edinburgh breeze but not overly troubling Finn Russell, who claims a mark. He safely finds touch near halfway.

Hits of ambition from Scotland early on as they test both edges, Finn Russell with his hands on the ball often in their opening attacking movement. He tries to put his captain through a hole, but the space condenses quickly on Jamie Ritchie, who knocks on into Welsh hands.

Liam Williams is underneath the first nerve-jangler of the evening, claiming calmly as the Scottish chase near. Tomos Williams kicks up to Stuart Hogg, whose first involvement is excellent, jumping to the right and acclerating away from two Welshmen.

Andrew Brace blows, Finn Russell kicks, and Scotland vs Wales is underway!

Delivering the match ball is Doddie Weir’s great pal and fellow fundraising titan, Rob Wainwright, who has led a cycle ride from Cardiff to Murrayfield. He safely delivers his cargo to the two captains, who greet him warmly.

Finn Russell soon has it in his possession - he’ll kick us off.

It’s been a good day for Ireland so far, and there are four more involved this evening.

Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) ARs: Frank Murphy (IRFU) & Chris Busby (IRFU) TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

The piper on the roof leads Murrayfield in, the band falling silent for one of the great rugby sounds: a Scottish home chorus and their sweet, sweet refrain.

No doubting Ken Owens’ passion as he bellows out the opening lines of the Welsh national anthem, almost quivering with the emotion as he leads Wales again. In a pack shorn of a few experienced heads, the hooker will be all the more vital, you feel.

Princess Anne’s rather funky sunglasses attracted a little bit of attention last week, with the royal a contented observer at Twickenham as Scotland continued their fine recent run against England. Nothing quite as extravagant among her accoutrements this week as she meets the two sets of players, though her tartan scarf might be valuable as the evening wears.

It’s pleasant enough at Murrayfield, though - nudging up towards ten degrees, dry, with only a gusting breeze to trouble the players.

Murrayfield is full to the brim. Even the most pessimistic Scottish fans - and there are plenty of those - have had to admit this is a tremendous opportunity for a settled side. Win this, and they’ll go into the first fallow week with real, real momentum before a mid-tournament trip to Paris.

As we prepare for kick off, just a mention for Doddie Weir, who the rugby world sadly lost in November, an inspiration figure who is much, much missed. It is five years now since the Doddie Weir Cup was first awarded to the victor of this encounter, but as this is the first edition since his passing, there’ll be an extra layer of emotion to proceedings today. His widow is watching on, as I’m sure the great man is, somewhere, too.