Townsend to play it tough against Irish
GREGOR TOWNSEND says Scotland must show their ruthless side to finally end their barren run against bogey team Ireland today.
The Scots have won just once in their last 10 meetings with the Irish, losing all five since
Maro Itoje’s try three minutes from time delivered victory for England and breathed life into England’s Championship.
And England coach Jones believes it is a rivalry with the next World Cup hosts which is only just getting started.
“We said to our players before the game we’re going to be racing them to the World Cup,” said Jones. They’re a good team. They’re developing, we’re devel
Townsend took charge – he has collected some impressive scalps in his four year reign as Scotland coach. The likes of England, Australia, Wales and France have all been beaten.
But a victory against Ireland has proved elusive.
Townsend knows his players can ill-afford to pass up further chances at
England wrap up their tournament in Dublin against Ireland next Saturday and Jones added: “We’re so disappointed we can’t defend our trophy so we want to make sure we finish the competition with a good feeling about where we’re going.”
It was a result which left Wales as the only side who can complete the clean sweep.
But for England, their late, late show brought a belated
Murrayfield today. The Scots haven’t played in a month after their meeting with France was called off due to a Covid scare.
Townsend said: “Two years ago, we played very well in the first-half at Murrayfield.
“And the two we’ve played in Dublin, parts of the game have gone our smile to their disappointing campaign.
In the end it came down to one big decision with doubts over whether Itoje had been held up as he plunged over the line.
Referee Andrew Brace’s onfield call was no try but Television Match Official Joy Neville judged the second row had done enough.
It was only Itoje’s third try in 47 Tests for England but perfectly timed.
“I don’t really score much,” said Itoje. “But I’ll take it whatever it looks like. We’re happy with it regardless.”
It took all of 65 seconds for a pulsating, thrill-a-minute game to explode into life as France scrum-half Antoine Dupont to score the opening try.
The shock jump-started Jones’ side and after Mark Wilson had way. It’s going to be a real physical contest.
“We know Ireland will have time in our 22 and we’ve got to make sure they don’t come away with points on a regular basis.”
Andy Farrell feels the mindset of his Ireland squad will be key today.
He said: “We need to make sure we turn up with been held up over the line, some slick interplay worked the space for George Ford to put Anthony Watson over.
You simply could not take your eyes off France though and Damian Penaud scored a 32nd minute try.
The second half was nowhere near as fluent but it lacked nothing in tension though with Owen Farrell and Matthieu Jalibert trading penalties to leave the game on a knife-edge.
With the clock ticking down Ford kicked to the corner, Charlie Ewels picked off the lineout and a rumble took them to within a couple of yards out from where Itoje pounced.
Tries: Tries: Watson, Itoje. Cons: Farrell 2. Pens: Farrell 3.
Tries: Dupont, Penaud. Cons: Jalibert 2. Pens: Jalibert 2. the right attitude and if you don’t, you get burnt.
“When you turn up against a very good side, with anything but the right attitude then there’s no doubt you are going to come away with a loss.”
Farrell added: “From what I have seen so far this week we’ll be brimming come kick-off time.”
Scotland v
Ireland