Ireland have lorded it over us for years...
...and it is time Scotland did something about it
SCOTLAND have had a month to stew over the agonising defeat by Wales. That game feels like such a long time ago, given that so much has happened in the intervening period. First of all, we had the fall-out around the red card shown to Zander Fagerson. We then had his disciplinary hearing dragging on for the best part of three full days before a decision was finally reached.
Then there was the Covid chaos with the France squad which led to the postponement of their match against Scotland in Paris.
There were also a couple of fallow weeks thrown into the mix just for good measure. It will almost feel like Scotland are embarking on a new championship when they take on Ireland at Murrayfield today.
Whatever momentum remains from the historic victory at Twickenham on the opening day remains to be seen.
But I still feel there will be enough belief and positivity in the camp that Scotland should go into today’s match with confidence.
Let’s be honest, it’s not too often we have been able to say that against Ireland over the years. Our record against them hasn’t been great.
Ireland have won the last five meetings between the teams, which included a World Cup thrashing in Yokohama in 2019.
Taking it back further, Scotland have actually only beaten the Irish once in the last 10 meetings – a 27-22 win at Murrayfield in the 2017 Six Nations.
Ireland have lorded it over us for years now. You only have to look at the comments from Eddie O’Sullivan after the Autumn Nations Cup game back in December.
O’Sullivan, a former Ireland head coach, branded Scotland ‘delusional’. That’s a very strong word to use and I feel he went too far with those comments. He overstepped the mark.
But, still, there was probably an element of truth to what he was saying if we are being totally honest.
To any neutral observers, there is a narrative around Scotland that they are a bit flaky.
That’s something which has to change this afternoon – because I firmly believe we won’t ever have a better chance of beating Ireland.
We still don’t really know what
Ireland really stand for at the moment. They are in a transitional period after Andy Farrell took over from Joe Schmidt.
Clearly, they are still a quality side with bags of talent and experience. But I do also get the sense that they might just be there for the taking.
We know Scotland can talk the talk. Now it’s time to walk the walk and deliver the goods in a game they should be expected to win.
Winning the battle up front is, of course, an easy thing to say about any game at Test level. But it’s particularly true of ScotlandIreland games.
Far too often in recent years, Scotland have been dominated up front.
There is a belief in the Irish squad that if they can bully Scotland up front, they’ll win the game.
Ireland No8 CJ Stander has been key to that. He has a habit of going well against us. He was brilliant in the World Cup game, and again in Dublin in last year’s Six Nations.
This will be a huge test for Matt Fagerson. He has looked increasingly impressive for Scotland in the No8 jersey, a position which has been problematic in recent times.
If he can win his personal battle with Stander, then it would really cement his status as a first-pick in the back row, alongside Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie.
But, of course, all eyes will turn to the contest between Finn Russell and Johnny Sexton – two fly-halves who are at totally different stages of their careers.
Finn is now coming into the prime of his career.
He’s 28 years old and is playing some of the best rugby of his life.
Sexton, on the other hand, is 35. He’s a hell of a competitor and someone who commands huge respect given the trophies he has won throughout his career.
But there is a slight sense that he’s hanging on now. It is perhaps indicative of the fact that Ireland haven’t really produced any young flyhalves to take the jersey off him.
Russell is the form fly-half in the northern hemisphere right now. There is no doubt in my mind that, if there was a Lions test tomorrow, he’d be the starting No10.
But, intriguingly, Russell has never beaten Sexton in international rugby. That’s a box he still needs to tick.
Sexton has been one of Warren Gatland’s most trusted players over the years, so you can guarantee he will be watching intently.
Discipline will be absolutely vital for Scotland. We need to keep 15 men on the field if we are to have any chance of beating Ireland.
If we can do that and play to our maximum level, I firmly believe this is a game we should win.