SCOTLAND HEAD COACH Gregor Townsend believes Ireland are in a strong position to go on and win the World Cup after Andy Farrell’s side stormed to an impressive 36-14 win at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Ireland did most of the damage in a dominant first-half, scoring four tries and wrapping up the bonus point by the break.
Speaking after the game, Townsend said he was bitterly disappointed before praising a clinical, assured Ireland performance.
“Well, obviously it’s a very disappointing result,” Townsend said.
“We’ve gone out of the World Cup playing the number one team in the world and they were well ahead at half-time, but we played the number two team in the opening game and it was a close game.
“No, in isolation, it’s a really disappointing defeat against a very good side that we believed we had the ability to defeat but they were the better team tonight. They were excellent, probably the best I’ve seen them play.
It’s probably where we are and where they are, in terms of their rankings. I’d imagine now the favourites for the World Cup, certainly one of the two favourites.
“The way Irish rugby is set up, they could dominate world rugby for the next five to ten years, because they are the number one team in the world and they have a pro rugby system which is very strong, and they’ve got an age-group system that is very strong, so that should continue for them.
“We’ve got to do better. The group of players have got to fifth in the world, which is the best place we’ve ever been in in terms of the Scotland national team, but we have to make sure that continues, not for the next couple of years but the next 10 years.”
Townsend also highlighted Ireland’s remarkable defensive effort in the first half as they held out Scotland. After making a dream start with James Lowe’s early try, Ireland went through 19 phases of defence before a Caelan Doris’ counter-ruck forced a knock-on from Scotland’s Ali Price.
“They were very clinical, very accurate, and I thought they put in a huge shift defensively when they had a bit of pressure in that first 20 minutes. They’re an outstanding team and they showed that tonight.
“I’m proud of the effort in that second half. The game had gone away from us in the first half so we focused on winning back respect and the players’ effort in the second was a mark of who they are, to score two tries. We’ll take a little bit of out of that but we’re very disappointed with the result and the first-half performance but a lot of the credit goes to Ireland – they were very, very good.
“We certainly have to do better, and the responsibility is mine. We believed we could get out of this pool, and we still believed that after losing to South Africa with the response the players showed in training and the games they played have us an opportunity tonight, which we didn’t take – Ireland took.”
Very gracious in defeat to be fair, I would be disregarding his words about dominance and just concentrating on nz,which I’m sure Andy Farrell and co will be doing.
@Jb Walshe: I would disregard any word which comes from anyone associated with this scottish rugby team, reason bag pipes were invented there with all the hot air being blustered about ;)
Ah Stop. If Ireland lose to New Zealand and there’s every chance they will, then this team will come home as failures just like all previous. Now that would be rather embarrassing considering Wales and England look like they will make the semis yet again. History makers or failures which will it be?? This is the biggest game in the history of Irish rugby ever. It’s going to be epic girls and boys.
@Ray Ridge: you conveniently forgot to mention that the top 5 ranked sides are all pitted on one side of the draw. Ireland would be in clover had they been on the easier side of the draw and could be confidently be expected to make the final had it been so.
@Ray Ridge: the potentially easy route to a semi that Wales and England have is not an embarrassment to us but on World Rugby… and those who can’t see that.
@mark sheehan: That’s true but the history books will show that we exited at the quarters yet again should we lose. We have been on easier sides of the draw in lots of previous world cups and still failed so let’s not use the draw as an excuse.
@Ray Ridge: morning ray are you ever happy when ireland win are just allways upset ??
@Ray Ridge: go back to bed simpleton
@Cian O:and don’t forget your lemon.
@Ray Ridge: you’re the embarrassment Ray.
@Ray Ridge: It’s the mentality of this team is it’s biggest strength.. teams are now looking at how to stop us playing our game rather than the other way around.. of course you know all this , just enjoy the ride.. I wouldn’t go near a bookies either while you contiumaking predictions here, just for your own sake :)
With the sucess of the under 20′s it’s reasonable to be optimistic about remaining a force in europe at least.
It’ll be interesting to see how the quarters go, 4 northern hemisphere v 4 southern hemisphere. An all European last 4 ?
@brian o’leary: About time!
@brian o’leary: Japan can still make qtrs. Might be just 3 southern ….
Everybody needs to get over their world cup PTSD. This is an outstanding Ireland team. Yes, New Zealand will be very difficult. But, we can and will beat them. We are going to demolish them up front. It will be tight but I will say, Ireland by 4.
Can we stop talking up the opposition non stop in Irish rugby? Let’s hope it’s not the same this week blowing smoke up New Zealand. It’s the worst All Blacks team of all time – we will beat them and beat them comfortable. I said the same all week about a Scottish pub team and was lambasted in doing so. We have to have belief in ourselves. The Webb Ellis is coming to Belfast and Dublin.
@Aidan Farrell: it’s prudent to respect the opposition only a fool looks past a team.
@Aidan Farrell: love your confidence but new zealand scare me still but i will say ireland should be fave to win
@Aidan Farrell: worst All Black side of all time a bull sh!t statement and a side that will still beat 99% of teams out there.
The Scots were woeful. All Blacks not the team they were but never a bad side. It’ll be like a hone game in Paris. No.1 side in the world. Let’s go out and show em why. Roll on next weekend.
Good side Ireland but Christ what a QF opponent to face.
@Sean Wallace: rather them than France
@Ciaran Kennedy: Absolutely. New Zealand in a neutral venue with majority of Irish in the stadium versus France in Paris. It’s a no brainer really.
@Sean Wallace: new zealand be thinking the same about us
Let’s just win this thing first.
@Michael KILLIAN: or even beat New Zealand first maybe.
One game at time lads