Ireland stoop to conquer

CLUTCHING at straws in the build-up to yesterday’s Six Nations clash at Murrayfield, Scotland delved into their record against Ireland in the 90’s for solace and inspiration.

Back then, Scotland played Ireland 11 times and never lost, with one draw in 1994. Conveniently, they chose to neglect the fact that they were beaten in ten of the 12 contests since.

This was a must-win game for both teams, and it showed. Ireland, at a time when they looked in total control leading 21-9 13 minutes into the second half, invited Scotland back into the game. And, despite the hosts’ ineptitude and poor skill levels, they almost managed to steal a game Ireland should have coasted.

That Ireland somehow managed to find themselves in a position where they could have been pipped at the post asks serious questions that need to be addressed. Having criticised the Irish management for not using the bench against France, they over-used it yesterday, tipping the balance back in Scotland’s favour in the process. Ireland were in the ascendancy, leading into the third quarter when Sean O’Brien in particular took the game by the scruff of the neck and ripped Scotland apart.

However, with the introduction of Leo Cullen, Sean Cronin and Peter Stringer in a triple change on 60 minutes, Ireland somehow lost their shape and handed Scotland a lifeline.

The fact that Scotland were in the game at all was due to a repeat of the indiscipline at the breakdown that has plagued Ireland from the kick-off of this championship in Rome. On this occasion they conceded penalties at a ratio of three to one and they cannot even aim criticism at referee Nigel Owens, who was well within his rights to ping Ireland most of the time. If anything, it was remarkable that Scotland were the side to have a man dispatched to the bin when Allan Jacobsen was harshly yellow carded for illegality at the scrum. Denis Leamy was fortunate to stay on the field after Owens had issued a general warning to Brian O’Driscoll and the fact that Dan Parks dropped a goal from the subsequent advantage may have saved his bacon. Had Ireland been reduced to 14 men in the closing stages, then, incredibly, Scotland could have stolen this game despite the fact that Ireland were manifestly the better side. Three tries to nil emphasises the gulf in class.

That said, despite all the experience in a side full of Grand Slam and Heineken Cup winners, Ireland once again conspired to come within a whisker of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against inferior opposition. There was a palpable sense of panic on the field and, one has to say, in the management which manifested itself in the substitution of Ronan O’Gara with 13 minutes left. The fact that O’Gara was subsequently named man of the match made that decision even stranger.

It also put Jonny Sexton in a difficult position as he was introduced at a time when all around him were losing their heads.

IT should never have come to that.On the front foot, Ireland lookedas if they could breach the Scottish defence at will. In a repeat of what we witnessed in the opening two games against Italy and France, once Ireland manufacture set piece opportunities in the opposition 22, points inevitably result. To produce from both a scrum and a lineout will prove very satisfying for Gert Smal but one has to say the defensive effort from the hosts for the tries by Jamie Heaslip and Eoin Reddan was lamentable.

The other issue abundantly clear to me prior to the game was that Ireland could afford to err on the side of caution in the contact area and concede possession to Scotland rather than risk conceding penalties. The Scots find it almost impossible to score tries and have now gone eight consecutive tests in Murrayfield against a variety of opposition without registering a single five pointer. Why then over commit in the contact area and risk incurring the wrath of the officials? It beggared belief.

At times, Ireland looked as if they were going to rip Scotland apart, especially after the break when the back row of David Wallace, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip were simply outstanding and overwhelmed Scotland’s Killer B’s.

In the opening half the majority of their best work was seen in a defensive mode when they individually and collectively manufactured a number of crucial turnovers. Then in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, their ball carrying was immense, with O’Brien giving a masterclass. Had the support of his bullocking runs been more precise Ireland would have registered at least two further tries. At the moment, the support is too slow in reacting; they must be aware O’Brien invariably breaks the first tackle. Players should be queuing up to play off him. England’s Chris Ashton would be in dreamland tracking him.

Ireland find themselves with two wins from three in this tournament without playing anything near their best. That surely is a comment on the quality of this season’s Six Nations. While England will be thrilled with themselves to be the only ones left in a position to compete for a Grand Slam, their win over France on Saturday will hardly have sent shivers through the southern hemisphere favourites for the World Cup.

Ireland’s points differential of +2 is now a major obstacle in their efforts to win this championship but they will point to the fact that the Triple Crown is still on and with Wales next up, even in Cardiff, that offers something tangible to chase.

For that to come to fruition, however, something serious has to happen about Ireland’s penalty count in their own half of the field. It has suffocated them in this tournament to date and is crucifying any chance of achieving continuity.

During the week the players seemed to question Alan Gaffney’s assertion that a lack of communication and confidence was becoming an issue. It certainly raised its head again once again in this contest when Ireland completely fell away in the last quarter. Looks like it’s time once again to close ranks and have a serious chat. There is certainly plenty to talk about.