High five, but Scots must fix away form
SCOTLAND moved up to fifth in the world rankings yesterday, overtaking Wales and South Africa, on the back of their first Calcutta Cup win in a decade.
It equals their highest position since World Rugby introduced rankings in 2003 but if they are to smash the top-four ceiling, Gregor Townsend knows his side have to cure their away-day blues.
They have never won in England or France since the Six Nations was expanded and have triumphed only once in Wales and Ireland, where they head next a week on Saturday.
Scotland’s last two Six Nations away days have ended in big defeats – 62-21 to England last season and 34-7 to Wales on the opening weekend this season.
“It has been an issue for Scottish teams since the Six Nations began,” said Townsend. “We have to make sure we play close to our potential. If that means we win the game, then brilliant. But if it means that we just put in a very much improved performance compared to the likes of Cardiff and Twickenham, then that is a big step forward.
“Part of it is that it is tough to play away from home, as England found out. All teams have much better home records in this tournament than in November games or in World Cups.”
Scotland may have to do without Lions wing Tommy Seymour, who limped off against England, but Townsend feels last Saturday’s win will help them handle the Six Nations leaders better this time.
“The belief that a win like that creates is going to be important but it is also an affirmation of the rugby we aspire to play, where we can get our strengths out on the field and the speed that we can play at,” said Townsend.
Centre Garry Ringrose could make his Ireland return against the Scots after coming through his comeback match for Leinster unscathed on Sunday.
Tadhg Furlong and Iain Henderson are also in line to be called up, but it is likely to be too soon for Sean O’Brien who is not yet being considered by Leinster after hip surgery. ENGLAND’S defeat by Scotland has come as a cattle prod to the behind for recent boarders of the Red Rose bandwagon, but the truth is it actually represents normal service resumed.
There have been old England teams, young England teams, boring England teams and dashing England teams, but the championship pattern has remained the same.
Save for the blip year of 2016 when Eddie Jones’s men completed a Grand Slam, the past seven seasons have all included a single Six Nations defeat for England.
Some will argue that with their playing numbers and financial resources they should win every Six Nations game, but history tells us it is fiendishly hard for any side to go through the tournament unbeaten. And history – local geopolitical history – makes that especially IRELAND No 8 Jamie Heaslip has announced his retirement because of persistent back problems.
Heaslip, 34, who has won 95 caps, has not played since being injured in the warm-up before the Six Nations match with England last March.
“Time will get us all but it has cornered me earlier than I had hoped,” he said.
“I have taken this decision with my future well-being in mind. I have always said rugby is just one side to me and there are other avenues that I am keen to explore. I feel I am in a good place to take that next step.”