Murphy shocked by Scotland form

Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy is braced for a titanic contest against shock RBS Six Nations Championship challengers Scotland tomorrow.

Few predicted Scotland would be in the title mix on the penultimate weekend of the tournament but the arrival of coach Frank Hadden has transformed the national side’s fortunes.

Victory at Lansdowne Road would keep them in the hunt going into their final match against Italy, turning tomorrow’s clash into effectively a semi-final shoot-out.

“Scotland have been the real surprise package of this tournament,” said the Leicester back, who has made 37 Test appearances.

“They have been playing some quality rugby in the European Cup and have been getting better and better for a while now.

“But who would have said they would turn over the perceived favourites England and France?

“They gave a great account of themselves in Wales and there is a lot on the line for them. It will be a huge game this weekend.”

Scotland’s only defeat was a 28-18 loss to Wales, giving rise to the suggestion they may not be so formidable away from Murrayfield where they brought England and France to heel.

But against Wales they were hampered by the dismissal of veteran lock Scott Murray, who was shown a red card after just 22 minutes, and Murphy refuses to place too much importance on the Cardiff result.

“It was tough against Wales because they had Scott Murray sent off and played most of the match with 14 men, so you can’t read too much into it,” he said.

“They have only had one game on the road and I am hoping they travel badly, but I am not too sure.”

This year’s Six Nations is the closest since Italy joined in 2000 but the standard has been mediocre, doing little to trouble the southern hemisphere sides ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Few teams have hit top gear at any point and there have been some poor contests, prompting Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan to claim the game is currently locked in a defensive cycle.

“The game goes in cycles and the current cycle has seen defence become a huge aspect,” he said.

“Teams are becoming much smarter in showing a space and then arriving there when the ball does. A good defence invites a team to attack a hole which is only an illusion.

“Teams have got better and better at that. The physiques of players have improved so the collision area is much more physical. Getting across the gain line is much more difficult now.

“The difference between a forward running at a back and a back running at a forward is not much different these days. It used to be a big difference.

“A forward would run over a back a few years ago. The game is changing globally in that respect. Defences have improved, players are more athletic and it is harder to score.”