That score reduced Ireland’s deficit to 14-5 as fly-half Jackson failed to add the conversion-something Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw managed for both their tries-although it wasn’t long before the gulf was extended again.
Advertisement
With a wealth of attacking talent such as fullback Stuart Hogg and flyhalf Finn Russell, Scotland have proved they can score against some of the best sides in the world in recent years.
It was perhaps no suprise that Ireland came out firing for the second half and seven minutes in lock Iain Henderson drove in from close range for a try, Jackson converting. “If you have got numbers in the defensive line, then you have got a lot more of an opportunity to have certainty that you have got all the space covered and you have got their risky attackers covered. It’s been a while since we had a win in the first round of the RBS 6 Nations so that’ll create a really positive dynamic going forwards”.
Despite such a dawdling start, Ireland got themselves back into it and led with less than 10 minutes remaining. Ireland are lucky to have so much experience in the squad, so many players with over 50 caps for their country and over 100 for their province and these players will re-energise the squad over the next few days and keep everything on an even keel.
“I think it would have to be”, Cotter said. They realized they needed to find a way back into Ireland’s grass, and pressure might turn into penalties. When that’s not happening it takes away from so much good work on the training pitch.
“We weren’t our usual urgent selves and maybe I’ve got to look at the preparation I gave the team – the preparation wasn’t good enough”.
While the Scots will now head to Paris in jubilant mood for next Sunday’s assignment, Ireland will have to salvage their title hopes against Italy in Rome.
It’s particularly tough to take.
“It helps us validate all the things we’ve been discussing these past weeks and move them forward”.
“But credit to Ireland in that second half they have intelligent coaches and changed their game plan and rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in to us”.
“We fed their self-belief which was risky to do”.
“They were more encouraged because they felt they could open up and play against us and they did it well”.
This all changed in the second half and Ireland dominated possession but this time with objective and guile.
“When Ireland got on a roll and went ahead, I thought we would be in trouble”. Last year’s champions do not look like the clear favourites they were hyped up to be before the tournament.
“You can prepare to the best of your ability, but it’s what you deliver that counts”.
Advertisement
It will be fascinating to note how bonus points affect the outcome of the championship, although Schmidt isn’t quite convinced that they give Ireland a greater chance of turning things around in the coming weeks.
