As they set off on a major tour across the UK and North America, The Scratch have shared a surprise cover of The Pogues' iconic 'Sally MacLennane'.

Penned by the late Shane MacGowan, the song originally featured on The Pogues' 1985 album Rum Sodomy & The Lash.

“We had a version of 'Sally MacLennane' in the back pocket since being asked to play it on Irish television last year," the band comment. "Waking up in Warsaw, Poland, while on tour, to the news of Shane MacGowan’s passing was rough. Many Pogues songs were played in soundcheck and that night we put Sally Mac in the set. It has remained there for every show since.”

In November, The Scratch released their second studio album, Mind Yourself – which debuted at No.3 on the Official Irish Albums Chart, and has been nominated for Irish Album of the Year at the upcoming Choice Music Prize. The four-piece are also up for Breakthrough Artist of the Year on the night.

Their current tour will see the band headline iconic venues in New York, Chicago, Vancouver, London, Manchester, Glasgow, and more – as well as support Dropkick Murphys on their major St. Patrick’s Day tour across the US. See full details of their upcoming gigs here.

Watch The Scratch cover 'Sally MacLennane' below: