I’LL BLOW MY OWN KINGHORN WE’LL USE SAME AULD TACTICS
Seymour eyeing his own slice of success against Irish after Blair tore up history book in opener
OLD stager Tommy Seymour insists he feels no pang of jealousy towards Scotland whizzkid Blair Kinghorn.
But the 30-year-old admits the treble try spree of his fellow winger will give him extra incentive in Saturday’s Six Nations showdown with Ireland.
While Edinburgh ace Kinghorn was running riot on the left in last weekend’s 33-20 win over Italy, Seymour was enduring a blank afternoon on the right.
But as he stepped up preparations for the champions the Glasgow Warrior said: “Blair played really well didn’t he?
“Obviously everyone likes to get among the tries and I would have loved to have grabbed at least one myself.
“But the bottom line is we won and produced some really good stuff.
“I can honestly say I’m chuffed for the guy. He had a brilliant game and took the chances created for him.
“He’s the first Scotsman to score three times in a Six Nations match. It is a brilliant achievement for such a young fella to get his name in the history books like that. Maybe this weekend will be my BY DAVID KELSO turn to get over.” Seymour is also well aware Stuart Hogg’s Murrayfield effort took him to joint fourth in the all-time Scotland try scorers list on 19.
Hogg, four years his junior, would have been out in front had ref Luke Pearce not chalked off a stunning solo touchdown.
Seymour said: “Hoggy’s got a few years on me but over the long run there’s not going to be too much competition. We will enjoy the friendly rivalry while it lasts.
“He was winding me up about it and I was winding him up about his score that was chalked off. Actually he was very unlucky because it was a fantastic finish. But that’s maybe given me a little bit of an opportunity to edge back in front against the Irish.
“We have some fun with it but the main thing is we play well as a team and we are scoring tries, wherever they come from.
“If we are playing the kind of rugby we want to we are in a good position. We like to play expansively and make sure the likes of Blair and I get their hands on the ball and exploit space.
“Ireland will be really tough, especially after their loss to England in Dublin. If we find JOSH STRAUSS reckons Scotland should copy England’s physical approach to beat Ireland on Saturday. The 2018 Grand Slam winners’ title hopes are on the line after being blown away by Eddie Jones’s side in their Six Nations opener. England’s tough tactics brought back memories of Ireland’s last loss in Edinburgh for Strauss, left, who’s set for battle again. He said: “In 2017 we fronted up very well. We’ll need to take a similar step because we saw what England did. If you match that you will get something out of the game.” space we will use it but it’s not something we will be able do at every opportunity.
“They are very good at making you think there is space but in reality can get you to run down a blind alley.
“We have to be mindful they will be trying to create pictures for us they can close up and exploit. For us it is about trying to play in the right areas and look for space when it’s available.
“You have to play tight to earn the right to go wide. It’s the old adage – you’ve got to do the work up front first. England did that incredibly well. Tactically they seemed to be on point and put a lot of pressure on.
“But Ireland are one of the best teams in the world, one of the best-coached sides and they have some of the best players.
“They will be on song this week and will be putting a lot of pressure on themselves.
“We know what is coming and we will be prepared for it.”
Seymour, for one, expects a barrage from the boots of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton.
He said: “Ireland have a fantastic kicking game.
“That pair are very skilled at putting the ball in the right areas and putting balls up to put pressure on you behind.”