Why the Scots are the most frustrating foes
Even at that, he was coming under pressure to retain his place.
In essence, neither management team was entirely convinced about the ability of their original combinations — O’Leary-Sexton or Lawson-Parks — to steer the ship in what amounts to a must win game for both teams tomorrow.
The selection of Eoin Reddan and Mike Blair at scrum-half respectively introduces two very experienced campaigners, with Blair boasting a Lions tour in 2009 and Reddan a quality performer after years chasing silverware with Wasps and Leinster. While Reddan is in better form at present, there is little to separate them and they could cancel each other out.
That shifts the focus to the respective out-halves, two men at opposite ends of the spectrum. Ronan O’Gara has seen it all, done it all. Being the focus of attention tomorrow will not faze him in the slightest. He will relish it. From the moment Mirco Bergamasco missed that touchline conversion in the Stadio Flaminio to open the door for an Irish win against Italy, O’Gara went into the zone, recognising his opportunity. He was not found wanting. I suspect he will not be found wanting tomorrow either.
He may even see the irony of being offered a lifeline to regain a regular starting slot against a relative novice, starting an international for the first time. Glasgow’s Ruaridh Jackson has been charged with reviving Scottish fortunes behind the scrum on the back of Dan Parks’ abject performance against Wales. Eleven years have passed since O’Gara was presented with the same opportunity against the same opposition on that signature afternoon in Lansdowne Road when Irish rugby turned a corner, beating Scotland 44-22.
O’Gara will not be restricted by game plans but will perform with his head up and react to the circumstances that unfold before him. If he gets a modicum of useful ball, he has the ability and temperament to lead the way, bringing a structure and variety to Ireland’s play.
Jackson, on the other hand is a very promising young player who will harbour no inhibitions and has the exuberance of youth on his side. Will that be enough against such a wily campaigner as O’Gara who has waited patiently for this opening for some time? Unlikely. Advantage Ireland.
WITH the likelihood that Scotland will kick a lot, Ireland should have more line-outs tomorrow than in any other Test to date this season. That can be good or bad, depending on the accuracy and variety of Ireland’s approach. The positive is that it should afford them additional attacking options, especially if Jamie Heaslip can be found with any degree of regularity at the tail.
Secondly, Ireland showed glimpses against Italy and France that they are reintroducing the maul as a meaningful attacking option, as it helps to suck in the opposition back row. Given the rampaging nature of the reunited Scottish trio that could prove vital.
On the flip side, Scotland have the tallest lineout in the championship with the second row partnership of captain Alastair Kellock and Richie Gray both over 6’8”, and the returning John Beattie and Kelly Brown also offering a towering presence at the tail. To make matters worse, they regularly attack the opposition throw in the air. It can be an intimidating sight for the delivering hooker to see such an ominous obstacle blocking out the natural daylight.
Paul O’Connell will not need to be reminded that Ireland lost eight line-outs in the defeat to Scotland last season. Rory Best has been selected over the more dynamic Sean Cronin because of the accuracy of his throwing. It is imperative that he delivers on that front.
Scotland’s lineout was the most productive in the international game in 2010 but they uncharacteristically lost four on their own throw against France, which shows that they are vulnerable when properly challenged. While they rectified matters on that front with a 100% return against Wales, they can be put under pressure in an area that has become the key element of their game. If O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan and Heaslip can undermine them in an area in which they place a huge store, Ireland will be well on the road to victory.
PLAYING against Scotland can be a frustrating experience. There’s an innate sense you’re the better side but somehow they manage to drag you down to their level. That is why Ireland need to be extremely patient in this contest. You just cannot allow yourself to get frustrated when playing against them. Wales did it well last time out, when they just allowed Scotland to strangle themselves with a mixture of poor kicking and sloppy handling.
Scotland love to create mayhem at the breakdown and the fact that the ‘Killer B’s’ of Barclay, Beattie and Brown have been reunited in the back-row is a confidence boost for them.
Individually they have lacked their customary sting of late but the fact they come together for the first time since Brown decamped from Glasgow to Saracens will act as a spur to all three.
Ireland’s back row, excellent both individually and collectively against France, just cannot allow them to dictate like they did in Croke Park last year.
There are times when it will be more prudent for Ireland to let Scotland have the ball, then commit to challenging for 50/50 possession on the deck. Ireland have been pinged with increasing regularity in the tackle area and their high concession of penalties is killing them. When in doubt — let Scotland have the ball. On the evidence to date — even allowing for their three tries against France — they haven’t been able to do a whole lot with it.
With Chris Paterson recalled to take the place-kicking pressure off Jackson, Ireland cannot afford to hand out kickable penalties in their own half like they did against France. That just has to stop.
This is why I think we will see O’Gara playing more field position than we have seen of late. Scotland will not score from their own half but once Ireland get a foothold in the opposition 22, we have seen against both Italy and France that they have the facility to turn possession into points.
The key for Ireland is to remain patient, keep their composure and inevitably the opportunities will present themselves. With O’Gara and Tommy Bowe back, Ireland’s capacity to register points from the hand and the boot has increased dramatically. A fired-up Scotland will, however, make life very difficult.
