Ireland did manage to overhaul the 21-5 lead Scotland held at one point in the opening half, but to give up such an advantage was deeply damaging for Joe Schmidt’s side.
Ireland were left deeply dejected in Edinburgh. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Andy Farrell, the Ireland defence coach, certainly has plenty of work ahead if they are to fight back into contention for this championship.
Scotland were clearly intent on exposing a weakness in Ireland’s defence that many teams before them have gone after in recent years – narrowness in phase play. The Scots were able to lure Irish defenders into collapsing inwards towards midfield rucks, then struck wide with sharp passing and flat backline positioning.
Ireland’s lethargy in getting width into their defensive line was symbolic of the general lack of energy and aggression they brought in the opening half.
Scotland’s bite, pace, work rate and skill levels were in sharp contrast and the three excellent tries through Alex Dunbar and Stuart Hogg were richly deserved.
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Taking chances
The second-half misses will understandably draw focus, but we shouldn’t forget that Ireland also missed close-range try-scoring chances in the first half.
Rory Best leaves the pitch at Murrayfield. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
First, they got their mauling wrong as Romain Poite pinged them for obstruction, then Richie Gray stole a lineout in front of Devin Toner. Ireland’s lineout was poor, even if a return of 12 from 14 throws doesn’t look too bad.
But the predictability of throwing to Toner is becoming a weakness, while Ireland’s movement on the ground pre-throw is not at the level it was for the 2014 and 2015 Six Nations successes. Forwards coach Simon Easterby and his men have plenty of improvements to make.
The theme of missed opportunities reared its ugly head again in the second half, even with Ireland bursting back into the lead.
Jamie Heaslip’s offload metres out straight into Sean Maitland’s hands, CJ Stander’s knock-on, Rob Kearney’s pass forward into touch, another failed lineout within striking range – take your pick, because there are several more examples.
Even with the dire start to the game, Ireland had more than enough possession in promising positions to win this game. Their return on those chances, and 12 clean linebreaks, simply was not of the sufficient standard.
Scotland’s big performers
Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw was superb in Murrayfield, marshalling his team around the pitch like a true playmaker and also providing excellent kicking and passing.
His place-kicking was 100% too, as he ensured Scotland jumped back into the lead with two penalties in the closing 10 minutes.
The Scots were excellent. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Indeed, many of the individual battles went in Scotland’s favour, with Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, the Gray brothers, Finn Russell, and replacement back row John Barclay all excellent. Zander Fagerson had a poor start at the scrum, but was strong thereafter.
Fullback Hogg is a joy to watch, even more so live, with his pace and balance on the ball so difficult to halt. He also encapsulates the Scottish spirit of looking to create, rather than simply hammer through phases.
Of course, Laidlaw directed plenty of narrower, more direct attacks, but Hogg, Russell and co. were always willing to strike wide too.
Having spoken about not respecting Ireland too much and making a strong start, the Scots certainly lived up to their word.
Ground to make up
An opening-day defeat means Ireland are already chasing in this Six Nations, even if they did take a losing bonus point from this Edinburgh failure.
Vern Cotter got one over on his friend Joe Schmidt. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Schmidt’s men will now have to take a try-scoring bonus point in victory in Rome next weekend, although Italy will have some hopes of causing another upset.
England are currently in action against France and are viewed as favourites in that tie, while Wales are expected to open their championship with a win in Italy tomorrow afternoon.
But it’s Scotland who sit top of the Six Nations immediately after this tie in Murrayfield, and deservedly so. They will watch France’s clash with the English with keen interest, ahead of the visit to Paris next weekend.
We’re only one game in, but already this championship looks like being a whole lot of fun.
Ireland's desperate start, missed chances and Scotland's big performers
Murray Kinsella reports from Murrayfield
IRELAND OPENED THEIR Six Nations campaign with a 27-22 defeat away to Scotland, meaning they will leave Edinburgh with only a losing bonus point.
Read our full match report here.
Starting on the wrong foot
Ireland did manage to overhaul the 21-5 lead Scotland held at one point in the opening half, but to give up such an advantage was deeply damaging for Joe Schmidt’s side.
Andy Farrell, the Ireland defence coach, certainly has plenty of work ahead if they are to fight back into contention for this championship.
Scotland were clearly intent on exposing a weakness in Ireland’s defence that many teams before them have gone after in recent years – narrowness in phase play. The Scots were able to lure Irish defenders into collapsing inwards towards midfield rucks, then struck wide with sharp passing and flat backline positioning.
Ireland’s lethargy in getting width into their defensive line was symbolic of the general lack of energy and aggression they brought in the opening half.
Scotland’s bite, pace, work rate and skill levels were in sharp contrast and the three excellent tries through Alex Dunbar and Stuart Hogg were richly deserved.
Taking chances
The second-half misses will understandably draw focus, but we shouldn’t forget that Ireland also missed close-range try-scoring chances in the first half.
First, they got their mauling wrong as Romain Poite pinged them for obstruction, then Richie Gray stole a lineout in front of Devin Toner. Ireland’s lineout was poor, even if a return of 12 from 14 throws doesn’t look too bad.
But the predictability of throwing to Toner is becoming a weakness, while Ireland’s movement on the ground pre-throw is not at the level it was for the 2014 and 2015 Six Nations successes. Forwards coach Simon Easterby and his men have plenty of improvements to make.
The theme of missed opportunities reared its ugly head again in the second half, even with Ireland bursting back into the lead.
Jamie Heaslip’s offload metres out straight into Sean Maitland’s hands, CJ Stander’s knock-on, Rob Kearney’s pass forward into touch, another failed lineout within striking range – take your pick, because there are several more examples.
Even with the dire start to the game, Ireland had more than enough possession in promising positions to win this game. Their return on those chances, and 12 clean linebreaks, simply was not of the sufficient standard.
Scotland’s big performers
Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw was superb in Murrayfield, marshalling his team around the pitch like a true playmaker and also providing excellent kicking and passing.
His place-kicking was 100% too, as he ensured Scotland jumped back into the lead with two penalties in the closing 10 minutes.
Indeed, many of the individual battles went in Scotland’s favour, with Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, the Gray brothers, Finn Russell, and replacement back row John Barclay all excellent. Zander Fagerson had a poor start at the scrum, but was strong thereafter.
Fullback Hogg is a joy to watch, even more so live, with his pace and balance on the ball so difficult to halt. He also encapsulates the Scottish spirit of looking to create, rather than simply hammer through phases.
Of course, Laidlaw directed plenty of narrower, more direct attacks, but Hogg, Russell and co. were always willing to strike wide too.
Having spoken about not respecting Ireland too much and making a strong start, the Scots certainly lived up to their word.
Ground to make up
An opening-day defeat means Ireland are already chasing in this Six Nations, even if they did take a losing bonus point from this Edinburgh failure.
Schmidt’s men will now have to take a try-scoring bonus point in victory in Rome next weekend, although Italy will have some hopes of causing another upset.
England are currently in action against France and are viewed as favourites in that tie, while Wales are expected to open their championship with a win in Italy tomorrow afternoon.
But it’s Scotland who sit top of the Six Nations immediately after this tie in Murrayfield, and deservedly so. They will watch France’s clash with the English with keen interest, ahead of the visit to Paris next weekend.
We’re only one game in, but already this championship looks like being a whole lot of fun.
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