Declan Kidney's side fell to a shock 23-20 defeat in the final game at Croke Park but they have much better memories of Murrayfield where they have won their last four Six Nations matches.

Two years ago a Jamie Heaslip try was the difference between the two sides as Ireland won 22-15 on their way to a first Grand Slam in 61 years.

Kidney responds to his side's 25-22 defeat to France by drafting in veteran fly-half Ronan O'Gara - so often the scourge of Scotland - along with star winger Tommy Bowe and scrum-half Eoin Reddan for the injured Tomas O'Leary.

Captain Brian O'Driscoll has history in his sights as he just needs just one try to equal Scotsman Ian Smith's 78-year-old Championship record of 24 tries.

It would be perfectly appropriate if he did that against Scotland - against whom he has scored five tries in ten Championship matches - but O'Driscoll has played down the importance of breaking the record as Ireland look to get their tournament back on track.

"It's not something that has a bearing on my game," O'Driscoll insists. "If the tries come, grand.

"But it doesn't really bother me which person in green scores. I get as much enjoyment in creating a try as I do in scoring one."

Meanwhile Andy Robinson has made sweeping changes to his team bringing in seven new faces for Sunday's encounter.

Scotland went into the tournament on the back of an impressive November series but an insipid performance against Wales at Murrayfield has left Robinson with little option but to make a major overhaul.

Ruaridh Jackson will make his first start for the Scots in place of the disappointing Dan Parks - the hero at Croke Park last year - while the return of Johnnie Beattie will be a big boost for the home side.

Richie Gray also returns having missed the Welsh game with a stomach bug while record points-scorer Chris Paterson will earn his 102nd cap.

And while all the attention has been on the 22-year-old Jackson, Robinson was eager to take some of the pressure off the Glasgow youngster.

"I'm looking forward to seeing Ruaridh going out there and performing," said Robinson.

"But like anybody who gets the chance you've got to take it.

"But this is not all about Ruaridh Jackson going out there and winning the game by himself. It's about the team performing as a team and playing in the right areas."