It wasn’t a comprehensive win by Ireland, but as a team testing the waters ahead of the World Cup, they have given themselves plenty of food for thought after Saturday’s victory over Scotland.
With 14 changes to the squad from the one that beat Wales the weekend before, Ireland, like many teams at this point in World Cup preparation, opted to field players still battling for a place in the final 31. Jack Conan made his starting debut, whilst second-row forward Dan Tuohy needed a huge performance to rival that of Donnacha Ryan’s the week previously to cement his place in the squad.
Simon Zebo also needed to display his world-class qualities to hush the criticism of his versatility in the back-line. Evidently, in what could have been the most direct way of doing so, a Man of the Match performance seemed to suffice – for now. Moments of electrifying magic were followed by lacklustre defensive play, and Ireland’s first downfall came with Blair Cowan’s try. Fumbling the ball through numerous sets of hands, the Scots managed to find gaps in Ireland’s line, build pressure and eventually allow the forward to bundle over the line and take it to 7-7 (with Peter Horne getting the conversion). A messy defence from the boys in green, and a probable key-note in Joe Schmidt’s post-match analysis, 30 minutes in and Ireland’s slow start was starting to avenge them.
Ireland’s seemed more destructive in the scrum and their experimental XV greeted the appearance of Paul O’Connell in the 54th minute. Replacing Tuohy in the second row, the Toulon bound Irishman’s experience was much needed in a side that began to struggle against underdogs Scotland. A conversion from Ian Madigan pushed the score to 14-12, however the Blue army had already displayed their comeback ability in the first 40 minutes, and Ireland would be naïve to allow them the chance to do so. A penalty against them for not releasing, Ireland were left trailing after Horne slotted another three points merely five minutes later.
Then along came Zebo on the hour mark, with a try that pumped confidence into the pack and sent the score to 21-15 after another successful conversion. With a break through the Scottish defensive line by Dave Kearney, and a lovely inside pass from Madigan to the full-back, Zebo zipped across the white line to send the home fans onto their feet.
Scotland soon answered back with Horne’s try but from then on in Ireland held on with a Luke Fitzgerald try and conversion. Madigan’s first miss kick of the day in the 77th minute would have extended the score but, by finishing only six points ahead, there is a feeling that if there was any more time on the clock then Scotland would have replied and closed the gap.
Plenty for Schmidt to take a look at and work with then before a rematch with Wales at the Aviva Stadium in two weeks time. By then, training should have highlighted the chinks in the chain and the direction that squad is taking. Four weeks out from the start of the World Cup, it’s time to start establishing players in positions and ironing out the discipline issues that allowed Scotland to clinch points in this fixture.
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