Scotland vs Ireland live stream: how to watch Six Nations 2023 free online and on TV today, kick-off

Josh van der Flier of Ireland celebrates during the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship
(Image credit: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Scotland vs Ireland Six Nations 2023 live stream

It's kick-off for Scotland vs Ireland in this Six Nations crunch match. It's free to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK today. Rugby fans can also watch for free in Ireland via Virgin Media One. Peacock TV will be broadcasting this 2023 Six Nations clash in the USA, DAZN is the network for Canadian rugby fans, and Stan Sport will offer a Scotland vs Ireland live stream in Australia. Use a VPN to watch your usual stream from anywhere if you are outside your home country.

Scotland vs Ireland Six Nations 2023 live stream: Preview

Scotland take on Ireland for the Centenary Quaich at Murrayfield today in what is undoubtedly the biggest game at this year's Six Nations. World no.1 Ireland – quite probably the greatest Irish side ever – hold the cards in the search for a Grand Slam win, which could culminate against England on home soil, but this could be the coming of age that this new Scotland team might nearly deserve.

The crowd will have their hopes and their support behind Scotland, who could themselves win their first championship since 1999 – the last year there were five nations instead of six.

Today's hosts, Scotland, lost 32-21 in Paris last time out, but Scotland were always going to struggle to maintain their winning record after France opened up a 19-point lead after just 20 minutes. Two tries from Huw Jones and one from Finn Russell gave Gregor Townsend's side hope of pulling off a famous comeback, but Fickou put the game beyond doubt for France with a try just a minute before time, which Thomas Ramos converted for good measure.

Ireland have had no such troubles maintaining their 100% Six Nations record, although Italy gave them a bit of a scare before eventually succumbing 34-20 in Rome two weeks ago. Andy Farrell’s side were missing a number of key players through injury, which resulted in a somewhat disjointed performance, but tries from Ryan, Keenan, Aki and a second-half double from Hansen ensured that an upset was avoided. Another win here will put them just 80 minutes away from glory.

Scotland vs Ireland kicks off at 3pm GMT / 10am EST today, Sunday 12th March, at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Make sure you know how to watch a Scotland vs Ireland Six Nations 2023 live stream.

Scotland vs Ireland Six Nations 2023 free live stream

BBCS4C BBC iPlayer.

Viewers in the UK can watch the this Six Nations clash for free via terrestrial broadcasters BBC and S4C. Cord-cutters can access a free Scotland vs Ireland live stream on BBC iPlayer.

Outside of the UK or Ireland? Use a VPN to access BBC, S4C or Virgin Media when travelling abroad. We recommend ExpressVPN as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

Never used a VPN? No bother. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below...

Watch Scotland vs Ireland from abroad with a VPN

You won't be able to watch your regular Scotland vs Ireland live stream while traveling abroad. The streaming service will spot that you're in a foreign country and block you. You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to get around this, though.

It's a straightforward piece of software which sets your device to appear as if it's in the right country, allowing you to watch a Scotland vs Ireland live stream from anywhere in the world.

We rate ExpressVPN as the best VPN for the 2023 Six Nations. It offers a 30-day guarantee for all your money back if you're not happy with the service.

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Try ExpressVPN risk-free for 30 days
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee with its VPN service. You can use it to watch Six Nations 2023 live streams on your mobile, tablet, laptop, TV, games console and more. There's 24/7 customer support and three months free when you sign-up. Try it – it's easier than you think.

For the best value, try the 12-month subscription.

How to use a VPN for Scotland vs Ireland

Using a VPN to watch Scotland vs Ireland is incredibly easy:

1. Install the VPN of your choice. ExpressVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For Scotland vs Ireland, you may wish to choose 'UK' for BBC iPlayer.

3. Then head over to BBC iPlayer on your browser or device and enjoy the free Scotland vs Ireland live stream.

If, for whatever reason, you can't get it working, do remember that you have the comfort of a 30-day money back guarantee with ExpressVPN. You could also try NordVPN, which also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, and Surfshark which offers 24 hour assistance.

Scotland vs Ireland live stream kick-off times

Global Scotland vs Ireland kick-off times

  • UK: 3pm
  • Central Europe: 4pm
  • USA (EST/PST): 10am / 7am
  • Australia: 2am (Monday)
  • New Zealand: 4am (Monday)

Watch Scotland vs Ireland live stream in the UK

You can watch Scotland vs Ireland live and for free in the UK via BBC One.

Coverage starts at 2.15pm GMT today ahead of the 3pm kick-off.

This means its a piece of cake to watch the match online (either live or on catch-up), as you'll be able to get a free Six Nations live stream via the BBC iPlayer website or mobile app. 

Remember: You can watch every this match free on BBC iPlayer (Use a VPN to access either service when travelling outside of the UK).

Watch Scotland vs Ireland live stream in Ireland

Like the UK, you'll be able to watch every match of 2023 Six Nations for free in Ireland.

Terrestrial channel Virgin Media One is on live broadcast duties for this clash in Edinburgh, with coverage starting at 2pm IST - an hour before kick-off.

That also means you'll be able to stream every game live via Virgin Media Player, with the service available across a wide range of devices. 

Don't forget: Irish nationals can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with a VPN.

Watch Scotland vs Ireland live stream in Australia

Streaming service Stan Sport has the rights to show every match of the 2023 Six Nations live in Australia, and will be broadcasting every game ad-free.

Scotland vs Ireland is set to kick-off at 2am AEDT on Monday morning Down Under.

A Stan Sport subscription currently costs $10 per month in addition to a base $10 Stan sub. However, you can take advantage right now of a 7-day free trial.

As well as the Six Nations, Stan Sport also has the rights to a long list of top tier sports, including Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League football, ATP Tour tennis and Formula E.

Don't forget: Australian nationals can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with a VPN.

Watch Scotland vs Ireland live stream in USA

Every match of this year's Six Nations rugger will be available to watch in the US via Peacock TV and CNBC.

Kick-off in Edinburgh is set for 10am ET / 7am PT today.

Peacock currently starts at $4.99 a month for its ad-supported tier, which will also give you access to a wide range of live sports including Premier League soccer and Premiership Rugby

There's also the option of using a streaming service carrying CNBC. FuboTV offers more than 100 additional channels including CNBC as well as Fox, CBS and ESPN. Prices start at $74.99 a month after a FREE 7-day FuboTV trial.

You can also watch CNBC on Sling. You'll need a Sling Blue/Orange subscription plus the News Extra add-on ($6 a month).

As well as being able to watch Six Nations rugby, can watch the rugby, you'll also be able to watch NFL, College Football and more without a pricey cable subscription.

Don't forget: US nationals can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with a VPN.

Watch Scotland vs Ireland in New Zealand

Kiwis can tune into Scotland vs Ireland via Sky Sport, which is available as part of a range of pay TV packages. 

If you're a subscriber you'll also be able to watch online using the network's Sky Go service.

Kick-off is set for the somewhat inconvenient time of 4am NZDT on Monday morning, so grab yourself a strong coffee.

If you're looking to cut the cords, you can try the Sky Sport Now streaming-only platform - where a pass costs $19.99 per week or $39.99 per month. The monthly package comes with a 7-day free trial.

Don't forget: New Zealand nationals can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with a VPN.

Scotland vs Ireland live stream in South Africa

Super Sport has rugby fans covered for live Six Nations matches in South Africa and will showing Scotland vs Ireland live, along with every other match in this year's tournament.

Kick-off is set for 5pm SAST this evening.

And if you're not going to be able to watch on your TV, you can also tune in via the network's streaming service for PC and Mac, as well as via SuperSport's dedicated app.

Don't forget: UK nationals can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with ExpressVPN. Follow out guide to using a VPN above.

Scotland vs Ireland live in Singapore and Asia

This year's Six Nations will covered live across large parts of Asia by Premier Sports.

The network is set to show every game live in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Scotland vs Ireland kick-off is at 11pm in Singapore, 8.30pm IST in India, 8pm PKT in Pakistan and at 10pm ICT in Thailand.

A weekly pass for Premier Sports Asia will currently set you back $25.99, but there's savings to be had if you opt for a rolling six-month contract at $89.99 or $129.99 for a full year.

Premier Sports Asia is largely focused on rugby, with a subscription giving you access to Heineken Champions Cup, Gallagher Premiership, Super Rugby Pacific and Rugby Championship action.

Don't forget: Asian nationals can live stream every match free of charge while abroad with a cheap VPN.

Kevin Lynch

Kevin Lynch is an award-winning journalist and author based in Dublin, Ireland. He started out as a music writer in the late 1990s before moving to the Daily Mirror to become the newspaper’s technology editor, during which time he wrote a weekly column that saw him chart the boom of consumer tech. He has also served as editor of GuinnessWorldRecords.com and has been a member of the prestigious judging panel for the BAFTA British Academy Video Game Awards. A keen West Ham United FC fan, Kevin is a regular contributor to some of the world's popular websites, covering everything from the best ways to watch your favourite sports online to the latest AV gear, smartphones and computers.