Gregor Townsend has named his starting Scotland team to face Ireland in the Rugby World Cup showdown on Saturday night. 

It's all to play for in the final Pool B clash but Scotland will need to defy the odds to secure passage to the quarter-final. There are various permutations that would see Scotland through but they will need more than just a win against the number one ranked side in the world.

It's arguably the biggest match in Scotland's history and all eyes will be on a fascinating encounter at the Stade de France in Paris. Scotland has failed to defeat Ireland in their last eight encounters but Townsend has named a strong side to avenge that record.

Townsend has made 12 changes after resting key players for the emphatic 84-0 win over Romania last weekend. Captain Jamie Ritchie, talisman Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe all return but Hamish Watson misses out entirely despite shining against Romania. 

READ MORE: Furlong believes pressure of Scotland game will bring best out Ireland

Meanwhile, Ireland have also named their starting fifteen after enjoying a rest week last weekend. 

Scotland XV: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van Der Merwe, Russell, Price, Schoeman, Turner, Fagerson, Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey 

Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Nel, Cummings, Fagerson, Crosbie, Horne, Smith.

Ireland XV: Keenan, Hansen, Ringrose, Aki,  Lowe, Sexton, Gibson-Park, Doris, Van Der Flier, O'Mahony, Henderson, Beirne, Furlong, Dan Sheehan

Replacements: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Ryan, Conan, Murray, Crowley, McCloskey