Good afternoon, it's just half an hour until the Ireland and Scotland begin their Six Nations campaigns for 2014. There's been a late change to the teams, so let's take a look at the starting lineups.

IRELAND STARTING XV: Rob Kearney, Trimble, O'Driscoll, Marshall, David Kearney, Sexton, Murray, Heaslip, Henry, O'Mahony, Tuohy, Toner, Ross, Best, Healy

SCOTLAND STARTING XV: Hogg, Maitland, Dunbar, Taylor, Lamont, Weir, Laidlaw, Denton, Brown, Wilson, Hamilton, Swinson, Low, Ford, Grant

So the big news for Ireland is that captain Paul O'Connell misses out. He had initially been named in the starting XV, but a chest infection forces him to sit out this afternoon. Dan Tuohy takes his place among the second rows, while Iain Henderson is a late addition to the replacements.

The only member of Scotland's squad to have been a part of the victorious 2013 British and Irish Lions squad, Richie Gray, is a surprising omission from Scotland's starting lineup. The Castres lock starts on the bench.

Greig Laidlaw kicked the Scots to victory last year, scoring all of their points in their narrow 12-8 win on home soil. Facing Ireland in front of their own fans will be a different matter though. Scotland's last win at Lansdowne Road was in 1998, although they did beat the Irish at Croke Park while the Aviva Stadium was under construction in 2010. In fact, that was Scotland's last away win in this competition.

It's a big day for Brian O'Driscoll. He'll become Ireland's most capped player of all time when the game gets underway. It will be his 129th appearance for the side, giving him one cap more than Ronan O'Gara. With eight Lions tests also under his belt, O'Driscoll could become the most capped international of all time by the end of the tournament, edging ahead of Australian scrum-half George Gregan.

With one of the pre-tournament favourites, England, having already slipped up in this opening weekend, both sides will see today as an opportunity. It's usually a closely fought encounter between these two, so we should be in for an entertaining afternoon.

Both sides players are already on the pitch ready for kickoff. There are a few more formalities with games in Ireland, including the presidential salute, as well as three anthems to take place.

PREDICTION! While the pre-match formalities continue, it's time to make a prediction. Ireland a missing a couple of their star players, but Scotland don't travel well. I think it will be a fairly open contest, but Ireland should just have enough. I'm going for the hosts to win by three.

If you missed yesterday's action, you can catch up with Sports Mole's dedicated Six Nations section.

Duncan Weir gets the game underway.

Scotland are applying some pressure in the opening couple of minutes, with Ryan Grant and David Denton both making progress in Ireland territory. Weir tries to kick it forward, but the hosts make sure it's blocked. However, it drops back into the hands of Denton, and the visitors continue to press towards the Irish try line.

A promising move by the visitors comes to nothing as Ireland win a penalty. Sexton kicks it to the half-way line to give the home side their first lineout of the match, but a mistake from Chris Henry in the ruck gives the Scots a chance to kick at the posts.

MISSED PENALTY! It was always a long shot for Greig Laidlaw, but it was a good effort from long range, just blocked by the post.

Stuart Hogg smashed through the Irish defence as he gets himself into space for the first time in this match before passing inside for Weir, but a hard hit from Henry forces the turnover for the hosts.

Ireland have a scrum just a few metres from the try line. They try to move the ball to the line, with David Kearney waiting to pounce for the hosts, but they're penalised for collapsing the scrum, giving Scotland the ball. The Irish players aren't happy, that was a big opportunity to put some early points on the board.

The Scottish side need a couple of attempts to get the ball to Laidlaw, who eventually manages to kick it clear of the try line despite coming under pressure from Kearney, and he can only get it to the 22.

Scotland win and Irish lineout, but a poor kick gives it back to Rob Kearney. Scottish captain Kelly Brown brings him down, but he's penalised for not rolling away, so Sexton will have a go at the uprights.

South African referee Craig Joubert calls Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip over, and informs him that he's not happy with the amount of backchat from the home players. No players have been shown a yellow card in this year's Six Nations, but Ireland will need to keep their cool to avoid breaking that run.

Ireland have the ball as they look to make their way into Scottish territory, but Devin Toner fails to roll away, so Laidlaw will have a chance to level.

Scotland looked bright in the opening couple of minutes, but Ireland have had the majority of the possession since, and could be further ahead if it wasn't for a number of errors gifting Scotland penalties. However, Sexton has another chance to kick at the posts.

Joubert has been kept pretty busy so far this afternoon. Both teams seem set on testing the referee, but he's taken a no tolerance stance. It does mean that the action has been quite stop start, and neither team really seem to have got into their stride. Ireland have looked more dangerous with the ball, but have really only had one try-scoring opportunity.

Scotland have another penalty, but choose to go for the lineout rather than give Laidlaw another shot of the posts. However, it's stolen by Kearney, and Ireland manage to force the visitors back to the half-way line.

Scotland have been looking strong in the last couple of minutes, but Sexton manages to gather the ball just short of the try line and kicks it clear to give the hosts some breathing space. However, the Scots recover quickly, and will have a scrum in a dangerous position. This is the first time that Ireland's defences have really been tested.

It's so close for Scotland, as Denton collects it from the scrum and tries to power over. In the end, it takes three Ireland players to force the number eight in to touch just short. From the lineout, Conor Murray manages to kick it away for the hosts. That's a big escape for Ireland.

There could be an injury concern for Scotland as Sean Maitland is left clutching his lower leg following a collision with Rob Kearney. The pair both tried to take a high ball, but the Scotland player appears to have come off worst, and has to be helped off. Max Evans comes on in his place.

O'Driscoll passes it out wide, but Best can't take the catch, and Hogg picks it up for Scotland, immediately passing to Weir, who tries to batter his way through the Irish line. The visitors show slick ball-handling skills to move it across the width of the pitch, but Laidlaw gives away the penalty after being trapped on the wing by Healy. Ireland will have a lineout at the half-way line.

Neither side can keep possession at the minute! Ireland lose the ball from their lineout, before Scotland quickly win one of their own, but Ireland swiftly steal it away. It's been a very scrappy couple of minutes.

NO TRY! A wonderful break from Sexton sets up Heaslip for a what looks like a try, but some slow motion replays reveal that the Ireland captain's feet were just forced into touch before he grounded the ball. However, the hosts have a lineout from a strong position.

Ireland save their best rugby of the game so far for right at the end of the first half, as a series of quick passes across the width of the pitch set up Andrew Trimble for a try in the corner.

MISSED CONVERSION! Sexton is left with a tricky angle for the conversion, and he can't quite squeeze it inside the post, which will leave Ireland eight ahead at the break.

An impressive final couple of minutes ensures that Ireland head into half time more than a converted try ahead. There were few chances inside the first 35 minutes, but the hosts started to find their rhythm as the end of the opening spell approached.

Heaslip was unlucky not to have scored the opening try of the match a couple of minutes earlier. He needed all of his strength to try and keep his feet on the pitch while grounding the ball, but Max Evans, who hadn't long come off the bench for Scotland, dragged him into touch to save the visitors, or at least delay Ireland from extending their lead for another couple of minutes.

David Denton had come close to putting the visitors ahead, but last-gasp effort just denied the Scottish number eight.

The players are heading back out ready for the second half.

Sexton gets the action back underway for Ireland.

Scotland immediately have a chance to cut the deficit after Toner makes a mistake in a rolling maul.

Ireland have the ball inside Scottish territory for the first time since the restart and are looking threatening. Kearney, Heaslip and Henry all make passes as they look for a gap to reach the try line. Eventually, Sexton offloads in the direction of Best, but he misjudges the pass, giving Scotland the scrum. However, it's turned over by the hosts, and they try to break for their second try of the match.

Marshall spots David Kearney in space on the wing, and Scotland hold him up just short. Ireland will have a lineout bearing down on the try line.

It's immediateyy handed to Heaslip from the lineout and the hosts drive towards the line for their second try of the day. This is starting to look like a commanding lead for Ireland.

Ireland seem to be growing in confidence every time they get the ball, and are already back inside the Scottish 22 looking for their third try of the match. Scotland briefly strip it away, but Ireland win a scrum for a knock on.

The ball is thrown into the centre for Marshall from the scrum, but he is quickly halted. Ireland keep the ball though and Sexton manages to move inside the 10-metre line. This is looking good for the hosts.

Ireland win a penalty, but O'Driscoll plays the advantage, but he's held up by Tim Swinson, who earns himself a talking to from the referee. Sexton will kick to extend the Irish lead.

Scotland have made a number of changes, including bringing on Richie Gray, who is capable of making big plays. Ireland have a big lead now, but there is still time for the visitors to get back into contention.

Scotland are on the charge, with Johnnie Beattie carrying it into Ireland territory. Henry makes the tackle to halt the run, but appears to have injured his hand or wrist in the process. He's been busy for the hosts all afternoon, they won't want to see him forced off with a knock.

Cian Healy manages to slip through Gray's hands to make a break for Ireland, but Scotland quickly organise themselves, and Max Evans steals it back for the visitors. There certainly seems to be a bit more fight about Scotland in the last couple of minutes.

Kearney almost gets caught out when Duncan Taylor chips the ball forward for the visitors, and it bounces awkwardly, leaving the fullback under pressure as Swindon rushes in, but he just manage to get it in to touch.

Cian Healy's day is over as Jack McGrath takes his place for Ireland. The prop looks exhausted as he makes his way to the bench.

Trimble collects a forward kick for Ireland deep in Scottish territory, but Gray makes sure he goes no further. Scotland manage to get the ball out to the half-way line, but a knock on gives Ireland the scrum. The physical nature of the first half really seems to be taking it's toll on both sets of players, as those that have been on since the start are beginning to look fatigued.

Sexton obviously wants to get another try on the board for the home side to put the result beyond doubt, as he twice kicks the ball deep into Scotland territory, but none of his teammates manage to reach it in time. Ireland look well in control at the moment.

Some slick passing from the home side almost allows David Kearney to slip through. Ireland remain patient though with Henry moving them closer.

Henry can't make it to the try line, but he manages to offload to Rob Kearney, who powers over the line despite being tackled by Richie Gray. That should seal the win for the hosts.

Now that the game is won, Ireland are making a series of changes, with Jonathan Sexton and Brian O'Driscoll among those making way. They cheered off by the jubilant home supporters.

Ireland have had 61% of the possession in this second half. Their intensity has been impressive since half time, allowing them to build on their first-half lead. Now it's just a matter of waiting for full time for them to make the win official, and put them at the top of the Six Nations table.

Ireland win a lineout inside Scottish territory. It's initially overthrown, but Paddy Jackson manages to rescue it for the hosts. Is there time for Ireland to add their fourth try?

Well there might be! David Kearney rushed beyond the try line and thinks that he's manage to ground it before the ball goes into touch, although it looks like it bounced on the touchline before he took the catch.

NO TRY! Indeed, the replays confirm that the ball was in touch before Kearney got it down, so there will be no final flourish for the hosts.

So at the end of the first round of fixtures at this year's Six Nations, it's Ireland who top the table following a comfortable win over Scotland.

It was a difficult first half for both sides, but the home side were just unstoppable after the break, and could possibly have won by an even greater margin if David Kearney's late effort have bounced just inside the line.

Well that concludes are live coverage of the Six Nations for this week, but join us again next weekend when Ireland are at home again next weekend to face defending champions Wales, while Scotland will welcome England to Murrayfield. France will also look to continue their winning start when they face Italy. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.