O'Sullivan laments Ireland's breakdown

Eddie O’Sullivan blasted Ireland’s feeble work at the breakdown after they were bullied into submission by Scotland in yesterday’s 31-21 defeat.

Until a second-half revival, the Irish pack was shunted around the Murrayfield pitch almost at will, overwhelmed in the tight and set-piece.

Allister Hogg, Andrew Henderson and Euan Murray all drove through a host of green shirts from close range for a trio of tries that put Scotland in full command.

Ulster duo Isaac Boss and Andrew Trimble touched down while Paddy Wallace kicked eight points to haul Ireland back into contention, but O’Sullivan insisted the Scots were already out of sight.

“I was disappointed that we were dominated by Scotland in the first half,” he said.

“The first try Scotland scored at the breakdown happened after Hogg picked up the ball from a ruck and dived back in and scored.

“That’s a new one for me but these things happen and that was symptomatic of our problems at the breakdown.

“Scotland were picking and driving and we were soaking up a lot of pressure instead of winning the collisions.

“In the second half we changed it around by winning more of the collisions and being more direct.

“But the damage had already been done, conceding three tries at the breakdown. It’s an area we need to work on.

“We became loose at the end when we made all the substitutions. Overall I wasn’t happy with the game but I was happy to get the game under our belts.

“It’s disappointing to lose but it’s understandable given the way we gave some loose scores away in the first half.”

Ireland trailed just 24-21 when Wallace landed his second penalty but Frank Hadden’s side regained their composure in the final 10 minutes.

Glasgow centre Andrew Henderson completed his hat-trick to put the game out of sight to send Brian O’Driscoll’s side tumbling to their third successive defeat.

One of Ireland’s highlights was the composed display of Geordan Murphy who banished memories of his Murrayfield nightmare of 2003 to cement his place in the World Cup squad.

Murphy broke his leg in the same fixture four years ago to rule him out of the tournament in Australia but overcame his apprehension at returning to the scene of his greatest disappoint with a solid display.

The erratic Leicester full-back has seen his international career falter because of his defensive frailties but his assured touch against Scotland will have provided a timely confidence boost.

“Geordan played very well in the wet conditions. It wasn’t a great day to be in the back three but he acquitted himself very well,” said O’Sullivan.

“It was good for him to get a game under his belt. He’s struggled a bit this year and hasn’t really featured for us much but I was very happy with the way he played.

“He did a good job and that performance will stand him in good stead.”