Bonar: We need 80-minute performance to repeat Ireland win

Scotland know they can beat Ireland. They did so at Donnybrook in last year’s Six Nations Championship thanks in large part to a sensational length-ofthe-field try by full-back Chloe Rollie, and 11 of the team who began that 15-12 win are again in the starting line-up at Scotstoun tonight.

But whether they will win this evening may well depend on their ability to play more consistently than they did against Italy last week, and to maintain their self-belief in adversity. There were many positive elements in that 28-7 defeat, not least a notably improved scrum and a wellorganised defence. But, as try-scorer Sarah Bonar acknowledged, there were some obvious flaws as well.

“It was exciting, a rollercoaster of emotions,” said the Loughborough forward, who began in her usual position of lock for that game but has switched to the back row for this evening’s match. “Scoring that try before the clock went in the first half felt like a really good momentum change. We were really positive going into the second half, but unfortunately we couldn’t execute a lot of our moves.”

Although Italy scored two late tries and finished the stronger team, Scotland competed more strongly than they did in their 38-0 friendly defeat in Calvisano back in November, and Bonar, pictured, believes that the games which followed that first Test of the season showed significant improvement up front. “We had the games against Canada and Spain and our Christmas camp, so we managed to spend more time together. We have more confidence within the set piece, and knowing our roles within the moves off of that as well.”

Bonar will pack down alongside her Loughborough Light- ning team-mate Rachel Malcolm, and the understanding the two have could be a real advantage to Scotland. However, with Jade Konkel still sidelined through injury, the team go into the game without the woman who is not only their best individual player, but also their most inspiring leader. Konkel played against Ireland last year, and if the team win without her tonight it could represent a major milestone in their progress. Bonar, who was also in the back row for that game, is convinced it will take a similar effort tonight to end up on top.

“That was an amazing day,” she recalled. “It was touch and go for the whole 80. It was really an 80-minute performance and I expect it will be the same on Friday.

“It will go down to the wire. If we can just compose ourselves, play in the right areas, it will be a brilliant game.”