THIS NEXT WEEK is not going to be a tough one for Gregor Townsend on the motivational front.
He won’t need to remind his Scotland players how everyone has been talking Ireland up, looking forward to a potential quarter-final between Andy Farrell’s side and the All Blacks, and overlooking the threat of the Scots.
You suspect that Farrell and co. haven’t enjoyed seeing the speculation and predictions about their possible route to the World Cup final. Any time they’ve had a chance, the Irish squad have been at pains to stress that they’re only thinking about Scotland.
There’s no doubt that the Scots will be looking to deliver the game of their lives next Saturday at Stade de France. Ireland are 12-point favourites in some quarters, but Townsend’s men are backing themselves.
“On our day we can beat anyone in the world,” said centre Cameron Redpath after last night’s 84-0 hammering of Romania.
“It’s about doing our stuff right and if we do that we really believe that we can turn over Ireland. We’re really excited.”
Hooker Ewan Ashman expressed a similar sentiment, underlining that the Scots believe in their ability to pull off a stirring success in Paris.
“We know if we put our processes in order then we will get that win and we’ll do what we need to do to get through to the quarter-finals,” said Ashman.
Experienced back row Hamish Watson pointed out that while Ireland are a superb team, they will be the ones bearing the weight of expectation.
“It is going to be so tough,” said Watson.
“They are looking very good, number one team in the world and quite rightly so as they’ve been playing well for two years or even longer now.
“But a lot of the pressure will be on them. They’ll be expected to win, which is how we like it sometimes as well. We’ll prep well this week.
“But we’ll have to play incredibly well and it will have to be one of our best performances. It will be a hell of a day if we can get it done.
“We owe them one. The last time we beat Ireland was 2017 in the Six Nations, not many boys would have been involved in that one. It’s been a long time since we beat Ireland and we are playing them at their best. They have won 15 in a row or so [16], and they looked great against South Africa. That’s the way we like it, when we go in as underdogs and a bit written off.”
Scotland will be looking for a fast start to pile pressure on Ireland. Townsend’s men would love to lead, challenging the Irish players to once again show their resilience even with the prospect of a pool-stage exit looming.
But last night, Townsend wasn’t willing to go into Ireland’s World Cup history when asked about it.
“I am not going to answer that question,” said the Scotland boss.
“Ireland are the number one team in the world, they are on the back of 16 wins [in a row] so I’m sure they aren’t thinking about what has happened in previous tournaments.
“They have got a lot of confidence in how they have played over the last two or three years and they’ll take a lot of confidence from the last game they managed to get a win there [again South Africa].”
The Scots recognise that they will need to go to another level next weekend. They were disappointed with the 18-3 defeat to South Africa in their opening game and recognise how hard Ireland will make their lives.
Scrum-half George Horne said they will need to sharpen up from last night’s big win over Romania if they’re to succeed.
“We need to stay composed in attack,” said Horne. “We probably forced a few offloads tonight. We know we are not going to make as many line breaks against Ireland so we’ve got to be clinical with every chance we get.
“The positives definitely outweigh the negatives tonight. No points conceded, that’s a huge bonus. We know we will have to play our best if we want to get anything from the Ireland game but tonight was a good start.”
“On our day we can beat anyone in the world,”
Never beaten NZ, not SA since 2010, strangely a very decent record v France last 6/7 yrs – but this Fr (Sean Edwards intensity and focus) at home are a very different proposition.
Not beaten Ire last 8 times, very troubling will be last time at Murrayfield with VDF as an emergency lineout thrower after 25 mins….Scotland were given a glorious opportunity to mercilessly target a glaring game defining weakness and they blew it.
Scotland are a good team to watch, nice backline, combative backrow.
As a whole their pack isn’t anywhere near Ireland’s quality. Their accuracy efficiency consistently isn’t anywhere near Irelands.
It’s gonna take a huge Scots performance a really poor Ireland one and a probable red.
This ire set up is mentally so strong, and the talent depth has never been greater. The coaching team is up there with the very best.
We can play all court…..forwards or backs, power or space manipulation. Very very few Scot’s get into a combo 23
@Dean Harper: very well said
Bang on. But I just cant help having those nerves that sit right at the bottom of your stomach.
@Dean Harper: Scotland are ridiculously overrated. You’re not gonna see 5 Irish players having an off day, let alone 15. Scotland’s only chance is multiple cards but 15 v 15 for 80 mins, we’re 15 points better than they are
@Dean Harper: if only this game was played on paper.
@Dean Harper: by that logic you could say Ireland won’t get past the quarters because they have never won a knock out game. Your comment is hugely disrespectful to Scotland and is unearned gloating.
@Dean Harper: well said .. but I think you meant to say “ and a probably a red”! There are now thankfully no ‘probable red cards’ (or yellows for that matter) associated with this Irish team – its disciplinary record is second to none.
@John Buckley: nope it was very well said
@John Morris: no need to put words in his mouth what he said was fine
@Dean Harper: In fairness Scotland have also been very successful against England in recent years. I strongly suspect that, in the Scots world, England is by far the most important result, while France are the other 6N team they respect. Ireland are mere upstarts they expect to beat, and are frustrated that they find it so difficult
@Kevin Ryan: lol
@John Buckley: Not sure where you are seeing the disrespect or gloating. Dean started with a quote from Cameron Redpath and then gave several well scripted arguments as to why the statement was incorrect. He then gave them several compliments but finished off with an opinion, which he is entitled to do. On the other hand, you have applied an illogical argument based on historical facts that have no bearing on current ability… and then called it logic. You are entitled to disagree with him John (and I love playing devils advocate myself) but maybe counter his points with some solid points of your own rather than throwing out tired old clichés
@Kevin Ryan: were you a middle child by any chance?
@brian o’leary: No; younger of two. And yourself?
@Paul Ennis: there have been plenty of shocks in WC rugby history, like Japan v Ireland. The OP and yourself are too arrogant and ignorant to recognise this
@John Buckley: There you go again John. Nobody in this thread (including me) has said that Scotland are not capable of beating Ireland… it wouldn’t even be a shock of the magnitude of our defeat to Japan 4 years ago. You have accused me of 2 things that are both absent from my post. Where is your evidence of my arrogance or ignorance? You throw those words around ignorantly with the arrogance to assume your opinion on a subject is irrefutable and anyone that disagrees with you can be subjected to your nasty diatribe. I hope you enjoy the game… I will.
@Paul Ennis: you commented the OP was proving the Scottish statement wrong so he is stating Scotland can’t beat the best. You are thick.
@brian o’leary: Are you still a child by any chance? Just curious as you appear to think your comment is in some way helpful to what is intended to be a forum for constructive, objective and impersonal commentary. My comment is merely making a point. I don’t make a habit of querying the age of those that make comments.
Absolutely no gloating by me John Buckley. I’ve stated Scotland are a decent team, good to watch, and are capable of winning….but that’s it’s very unlikely.
I’ve been pretty balanced and honest.
Feel free to point out where Scotland hold an advantage over Ire? Front 5, backrow, half backs, centres, back 3, bench, scrum, lineout, kicking game, breakdown, maul, better attack/defence?Coaching, mentality? Who makes the combo 23?
This ire team (not others) has won 28/30 of their last tests….Scotland aren’t in NZ or Frs league….and this Ire squad is arguably getting stronger as they mature.
As for disrespect….that’s your take, Scotland are an inconsistent team, capable of one off results, but unable to string a run together-as the 6ns backs up.
I can’t see the Scottish team living with us at all next weekend,they beat a 12man poor Romanian team last night and they are feeling on top of the world,they couldn’t live with S.A in their first game either.the bookies have us win by 12 points,and they are probably on the mark I’d say…..Scotland may put some resistance up but we should blow them away come the 2nd half
We just need to play with the same intensity and discipline as the game against SA.
Each team has a good game in them. That was perhaps Scotlands against SA. The rest of the games were against weakened teams. There was no structure to the Romanian game last night and the Scot’s correctly ran riot and scored at will. It won’t be the same against Ireland. However, I’m sure they will put up a good game. Cmon Ireland!
Remember Scotland sold their vote for this World Cup to France. Like in the Troubles they weren’t there to support us either (including Wales in both examples too!). I believe we are the ones who should have a chip in our shoulder and take it out on them next weekend.