Improvement needed for Wales clash, admits Eddie

TWO salient points stood out for the Irish management as they yesterday reflected on the 34-13 victory over Scotland at Croke Park.

Because Scotland enjoyed 53% of the possession, Ireland had to put in the unusually high number of 153 tackles while they also lost five of their 13 line-out throws. Eddie O’Sullivan and forwards coach Niall O’Donovan agreed a repeat of those statistics could end the dream of a fourth Triple Crown in five years when Wales come to Croke Park on Saturday week.

Said O’Sullivan yesterday: “The area we were most disappointed in was our discipline in the first half. We got in trouble with the referee at the ruck by not rolling away. We had six penalties against us and the referee was right. We were sloppy and got on to the guys at half time about focusing on that.”