Ireland fail to find the killer instinct

Ireland 19 Scotland 9

Nor should Eddie O’Sullivan’s side have been peering nervously over their shoulders - they pulverised the Scots for much of Saturday’s throwback to the good old days of rugby, but hadn’t the precision or poise to finish them off.

In terms of power, possession and territory, Ireland should have triumphed by 20 points. With ample possession, a line-out that dominated so completely one wondered were Scottish tactics left in a Dublin taxi, plus a scrum that coped excellently with every challenge, Ireland had the ideal platform for a controlled, and comfortable, success.