Kenny Logan
How Scotland can derail Irish juggernaut
Match them at the breakdown
This is the most pressing priority for Scotland this afternoon, but is a very different challenge to the one they faced against England. The Irish are far more accurate and are the best in the world at getting over the ball from one to 15, so Scotland’s backs also need to lend a hand as soon as a man goes to ground. The challenge will ultimately boil down to deciding which breakdowns to contest, and where to move men into the defensive wall.
Make the game unstructured
Unlike England, who cannot play an unstructured game, Ireland can play either way but prefer structure. If Scotland allow Ireland to muscle up they will grind them into the dirt, so we need to move them around when we have the ball, slow them down and target Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton.
Play with pace
It is all about decision-making and varying lines of attack. Sccotland need to change the target regularly, mix it up and keep Ireland’s big men moving around the place. Unlike the French, the Irish forwards are fit and disciplined, but we need to take the snap out of them.
Beat the blitz
Everyone plays an aggressive blitz defence these days and Ireland pride themselves on line speed. When Scotland have got this wrong, as they did in Cardiff, it’s been a nightmare; but against England they got it right. Finn Russell (right) was really good at moving the ball quickly, and with his long, accurate passes he was able to put his outside runners away. Scotland need to work hard to isolate Ireland’s wings when they charge infield to put in the big hit.
Don’t be scared to kick
Against England, Russell was incredibly open to kicking, doing so 32 times. He was kicking well and England were coughing up the ball in contact so it made sense. Although Rob Kearney is better than Mike Brown, he will rarely make huge yards running the ball back and almost never offloads or passes to set up an attack. Jacob Stockdale is inexperienced so kick to him, put him under pressure and see how you go.
Let’s have a boring start
Last year Scotland ran Ireland off the park with three tries in the first half-hour and then hung on for grim death. This year they must start with control and try to take the sting out of their early charge.
Gain parity at the set-piece
This has been an area of concern all year but not against England and France. They played mobile players like Simon Berghan but were solid in the scrum, while the line-out recovered from its shambles in Cardiff to become fit for purpose. My sense is that Ireland’s scrum will attack Scotland, although they can always bring on the immovable object that is WP Nel. I also think they will have looked at the way Wales disrupted Scotland’s line-out and will target the visitors.
Play the ref
Scotland, and John Barclay in particular, were outstanding in realising what Nigel Owens would allow them to get away with at the breakdown against England, but they haven’t always got it right. Today’s referee is Wayne Barnes, who can be very pernickety, especially at the breakdown. If he does not allow a real contest at the breakdown it will be a long afternoon for Scotland.
Stay calm
When Scotland are calm, such as when they came from behind to
beat France, they look a quality side. When they are not and start chasing the game, as they did in Wales, it all goes wrong. A lot of this is down to Peter Horne and Greig Laidlaw guiding Russell’s options, but it also means discipline at the breakdown.
Stay in the game
Ireland have a habit of starting well and finishing well, but Scotland have proved that they have great fitness and can come on strong in the final minutes. So it is crucial that they keep Ireland close on the scoreboard. If they can do that, Scotland have shown that their backs can cut loose and lacerate tight defences.
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