Six Nations: O’Sullivan upbeat ahead of Scots clash

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan is confident his side can get their Lloyds TSB Six Nations campaign back on track against Scotland at Lansdowne Road tomorrow.

Depite the trouncing given his squad by England at Twickenham two weeks ago, O’Sullivan remains upbeat.

He said: ‘‘I remember two years ago when we came into this fixture there were five new caps and seven changes.

‘‘This time we have gone for continuity with just the one forced change on the wing. The weather is a bit blustery but I would definitely settle for today’s conditions.’’

O’Sullivan also paid tribute to his adversary and former Lions coach Ian McGeechan.

‘‘I think without doubt he is the best in the world in that he can consistently maximise the potential of his team,’’ he said.

‘‘Our record against the Scottish on home soil isn’t great and while you can probably look at that statistic too much you can’t ignore it either.

‘‘But I think this championship has shown that if you don’t perform it’s a bad day out and the public I think are beginning to appreciate that as well.’’

For captain Mick Galwey, it will be his fourth outing against the Scots and he is all too aware of where the threat will come from.

‘‘When they hit the ground running they are one of the hardest teams to play against and their rucking as always is exceptional.’’

And assistant coach Declan Kidney is also weary of the Scots.

‘‘We have got to perform to have any chance,’’ he said. ‘‘Personally I would settle for a last-minute drop-goal if it comes down to that.’’

TEAMS:

Ireland: G Dempsey (Leinster); S Horgan (Leinster), B O’Driscoll (Leinster), K Maggs (Bath), D Hickie (Leinster); D Humphreys (Ulster), P Stringer (Munster); P Clohessy (Munster), F Sheahan (Munster), J Hayes (Munster), M Galwey (Munster, capt), M O’Kelly (Leinster), E Miller (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster), A Foley (Munster)

Replacements: S Byrne (Leinster), P Wallace (Leinster), G Longwell (Ulster), S Easterby (Llanelli), G Easterby (Llanelli), R O’Gara (Munster), J Kelly (Munster)

Scotland: B Laney (Edinburgh); G Metcalfe (Glasgow), J McLaren (Glasgow), A Henderson (Glasgow), C Paterson (Edinburgh); G Townsend (Castres), B Redpath (Sale, capt); T Smith (Northampton), G Bulloch (Glasgow), M Stewart (Northampton), S Murray (Saracens), S Grimes (Newcastle), J White (Glasgow), B Pountney (Northampton), S Taylor (Edinburgh)

Replacements: G Graham (Newcastle), R Russell (Saracens), M Leslie (Edinburgh), J Petrie (Glasgow), G Beveridge (Glasgow), D Hodge (Edinburgh), K Logan (Wasps)

Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)

Touch judges: Steve Lander (England) and Joel Jutge (France)