They certainly need it as they look to improve a dismal record in the competition they last won in 1999 in the final year of its five-team format.
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Centre Alex Dunbar got Scotland’s third try on 29 minutes.
Defence has been the cornerstone of any Joe Schmidt side and the introduction of Andy Farrell as defence coach last summer had seen Ireland become one of the most hard sides to breakdown.
One of the most experienced players entering this year’s tournament is Italian veteran Sergio Parisse.
In his column for the Herald, former Scotland global Craig Chalmers speculates that the good weather suited the home side more than it did Ireland. The second was a completely different affair as Ireland up their game in a determined fashion to turn the game around, and they were rewarded in 42nd minute when Henderson managed to reach the line after a grueling attack on the Scottish defence. If we are going to do that then we are going to have to beat one of the form sides in world rugby not just the Six Nations. We now have to go to Rome and work for the points.
“Our recovery was 40 minutes too late but there were solutions that were demonstrated”.
How much do you remember from the 2016 Six Nations, and the ones before that?
Not only will this Six Nations see teams and players battle it out for major honours, bragging rights and places among the Lions touring party, but most crucially of all, seeding at the next World Cup.
“But I don’t think there are any “gimmes” who are necessarily going to roll up and win it”.
“The slow start definitely wasn’t down to complacency”.
“The start was a real problem today, and it is unusual”.
“We aim to win every game we play but know that Ireland will come here with a lot of confidence and try to dominate us on our home paddock”, added Cotter.
The Dark Blues blew the Irish away in the first half, taking an incredible 21-8 lead into the break, with Stuart Hogg crossing twice.
Admitting the loss dents Ireland’s title chances, Schmidt said: “It’s obviously far from ideal, the defeat is pretty tough to take”.
We did struggle a bit at times in the scrum, especially early on, but that was counterbalanced by a fine performance in the lineout.
“We fed their self-belief which was risky to do”.
“You can prepare to the best of your ability, but it’s what you deliver that counts”.
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However 17 unanswered points soon had the Irish LEADING wih tries from Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson putting them 22-21 ahead. Though still ended up just one try short of a second bonus point.
