Heaslip putting points difference out of mind before must-win Scotland clash

By Daniel Pitcher

Joe Schmidt will have a fully fit squad to choose from when he names his team to face Scotland this Thursday for Ireland’s do-or-die trip to Scotland in the RBS Six Nations.

There was no rest for the boys in green this St Patrick's Day as they trained as normal at Carton House.

They know a big win will be needed this week after losing in Cardiff last weekend.

Wales have a bigger points difference than Ireland and Warren Gatland’s side go to Rome in their final game expected to run in a comprehensive win.

A big win at Murrayfield for Ireland is easier said than done, considering they have only scored three tries in the entire Championship and would need to clock up a good 30 points to have any chance of retaining the title.

Throw in a Scottish side scrapping to avoid the wooden spoon and Ireland’s chances diminish that much more.

Speaking to the media today, Jamie Heaslip was cautious about Ireland’s chances.

“I have been in this situation at club and international level before and you just can’t focus on points difference.”

“If you don’t win the game you are definitely left without anything in your hands so you just have to go out and focus on the games.”

“The last time we played against Scotland, the final score had taken away from the game having been 6-3 at half time and we only pulled away in the last 15 minutes.”

“With a team like Scotland who can score from turnovers and who have a lot of threats ... you just have to focus on our own set-play and nullify theirs.”

In the space of 80 minutes in Cardiff, Ireland went from being on course to win a Grand Slam to ultimately facing the possibility of finishing third in the Six Nations table.

Many are describing the halt to Ireland’s 10 game un-beaten run as damaging to a favourites tag heading into September’s Rugby World Cup. Heaslip, however, isn’t bothered by that.

“Sometimes you can brush over things easily when you win, we don’t do that.”

“We looked at the reasons very black and white in terms of compounding a lot of errors that led to missed opportunities or that led to them getting penalties or tries.”

“We have to turn the page very quickly and that’s the nature of the competition.”