Cotter: Ireland don’t have weaknesses

– Scotland coach Vern Cotter (right) has warned his emerging side they face “a huge task” against Ireland in their Six Nations opener at Murrayfield today.

The Irish arrive in Edinburgh buoyed by their first win over world champions New Zealand in Chicago in November.

Ireland, guided by Cotter’s fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt, achieved a stunning 40-29 success against the All Blacks at Soldier Field.

Cotter said of Ireland: “It’s a huge task to try to break down a team that doesn’t have any weaknesses at all.

“They (Ireland) only have strengths, with a very control-focused game plan. Teams beat the All Blacks rarely but beating them with 40 points ...that’s something.”

Cotter added: It’s a tough start for us. We’d love to be able to beat them but it’s going to take a huge effort.”

Ireland, who clinched the 2015 championship with a 44-10 win against the Scots at Murrayfield, made history with their five-try win against New Zealand in November but Scotland underlined their own progress with victories over Argentina and Georgia and a near miss against Australia.

Former Ireland wing Shane Horgan believes Cotter, who will join Montpellier in the French Top 14 after making way for Glasgow coach Gregor Townsend in June, has “the best group of Scottish players in 25 years”.

The Scots do not have history on their side, however. They have not won an opening Championship match since 2006 and have also lost their last four encounters with Ireland.

But Ireland will be without the guiding light of Johnny Sexton as the Leinster flyhalf has a calf injury and will be replaced by Ulster’s Paddy Jackson.

Scotland also have Huw Jones returning in midfield. The Stormers centre made a huge impact on his first international start in November, scoring two first-half tries in the 2322 defeat by Australia.

Italy host Wales in the weekend’s final match in Rome tomorrow. – AFP