NEVER IN DOUBT
Skipper Laidlaw insists Scots’ tough new mindset made sure they would overcome Ireland
SCOTLAND captain Greig Laidlaw insisted yesterday’s thrilling 27-22 win over Ireland at Murrayfield was evidence of a new player mentality as they finished the first day top of the RBS Six Nations table.
Laidlaw steered his side to a rampant first-half display with two fine tries from Stuart Hogg and another by Alex Dunbar to set up a 21-8 lead.
Ireland fought back to go ahead 22-21 in the second half, only for Laidlaw to score two late penalties and seal victory, underlining the Scots’ new mental strength according to the skipper.
‘Yes, there definitely is (a different mentality),’ he said, after leading his team on a lap of honour in celebration of a first opening win in the tournament since 2006. ‘We know what plays to go to when we’re in tight games, because of the way we’re coached during the week by Vern (Cotter) and the rest of the coaches.
‘We know how to build pressure on teams and grab field position. That was how we won the game today.
‘We’re a changed group and we want to drive this whole thing forward; especially when we pull these jerseys on at home — we don’t want to lose any more.
‘There was frustration in terms of how we were playing (in the second half), and letting them dictate the game, but that’s the sort of level-headedness we are
starting to get in this team. We understand when you’re playing a team like Ireland there will always be ebbs and flows in the game and times when they get their tails up.
‘You don’t want that to happen but you understand why it’s happening and then fix it. And that was the most pleasing thing because we understood it and we fixed it.’
He admitted to having a laugh at the lineout move dreamt up by forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys, which had Laidlaw, Tommy Seymour and Dunbar in the set-piece, and led to Dunbar scoring, insisting: ‘That’s what happens when you bring backs into the lineout — a bit of brains and we become dangerous!’
But the captain’s cool head was central to victory and exemplified by a final penalty delivered amidst a cacophony of noise as supporters realised the clock had struck 80 minutes and, if scored, the game was over.
‘That’s what dreams are made of,’ said Laidlaw. ‘I was just thinking: “Don’t hit the post”.
‘The whole stadium — or everyone Scottish — was singing the national anthem. As soon as I hit it, I knew it was over. That’s always a relief, so I was happy.’ There was no hiding the delight of the usually stern Vern Cotter either, who acknowledged it was his best result as Scotland coach in what is his final championship.
‘I’m really happy for the players who put in the work during the week,’ he said. ‘It validates that work and their determination to succeed.
‘I’ll enjoy five minutes tonight and then it will be back to work next week.
‘This changes the dynamic. You start the Six Nations with a win and everyone speaks about it, but it’s only one game and our feet will be on the ground quickly come Monday morning, so that we can back it up with another good performance.’
Scotland’s next game is on Sunday against France, who lost 19-16 to England yesterday.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt revealed that some Scottish fans had done their bit for the home team by holding up the Irish bus on its way to Murrayfield.
‘We arrived about 15 minutes late to the stadium but we were late for most things all day,’ he said. ‘We left the hotel on time but our journey took a while.
‘Scotland have a bit more confidence now and that breeds a real belief they can go out and do things.’