Scotland won’t catch Irish cold this time, insists Best

IRELAND will be looking to avoid another Busgate against Scotland today, with Joe Schmidt’s side in pole position to claim the Six Nations title and, potentially, a first Grand Slam in nine years.

The green machine went into last season’s championship brimming with confidence following their historic 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in Chicago in November 2016.

A potential Grand Slam decider against England in Dublin on March 18 was already making headlines, but Ireland fell at the first hurdle after a classic Murrayfield ambush.

The Irish team bus was 15 minutes late getting to the ground and the visitors never got going on the pitch as Scotland raced into a 21-5 lead spearheaded by a brace of tries from Stuart Hogg. Ireland fought back bravely, but the damage had been done.

‘We arrived at the stadium late and we were late for most things in the first half,’ said a stunned Schmidt post-match. Fast forward 12 months and the Scots arrive in Dublin hoping to derail another Irish title bid.

‘Last year, we got caught cold,’ said Ireland captain Rory Best yesterday, reflecting on that 27-22 defeat. ‘Getting to the stadium that close to kick-off was something really new to us. At the warm-up at Murrayfield, we let things get away from us. Good sides like Scotland will capitalise. They caught us at the start of the game and they caught us when we took the lead again.

‘If we find something unfamiliar tomorrow, then we have to go back to our process, trust our game plan.’ Ireland lead England by five points in the championship standings, with Scotland a further point back.

Townsend’s men can become part of the title equation if they win today, while Eddie Jones’ side must match Ireland’s result in their clash against France in Paris to have any hope of securing a title decider at Twickenham next Saturday.

The Scots approach today’s match in buoyant mood after their Calcutta Cup win over England a fortnight ago — but their away record in the Six Nations makes grim reading.

In 46 away games, they have managed just six wins — and four of those came against perennial strugglers Italy in Rome.

A 23-20 victory at Croke Park in 2010 — Ireland’s final game at the hallowed Gaelic Games arena — remains Scotland’s only Six Nations triumph in Dublin.

The Aviva Stadium has become a fortress under Schmidt. The head coach is presiding over his fifth Six Nations campaign and has yet to suffer a defeat on home soil in the championship.

Another home win today and Grand Slam hysteria will ensue.

But Best, who revealed yesterday that he is close to signing a contract extension with the IRFU, insists there is no complacency in their ranks.

‘What Scotland have done over the last while, and especially two weeks ago, has added to that little bit of fear factor,’ he added. ‘You know if you don’t perform, they will. You expect them to play at a certain level.

‘If we don’t play to our best, then there is a good chance we could lose this game. That is part of what drives you on.

‘So for us, it’s about making sure we perform, play well, and get the result.’

Schmidt insists his side will focus on the task in hand rather than the prospect of a Grand Slam bid.

‘If you allow yourself to dream, it’s not proactive time,’ he said. ‘It’s a nice time and it would be fantastic but it’s not productive. It’s even less productive knowing the form Scotland are in and the confidence they bring.’

The Kiwi coach expects that ‘unpredictable’ Townsend will pose a challenge to his side but insists his men will be prepared for anything.

‘People think Gregor is a bit of a maverick player and that he’s a high risk-taker,’ said Schmidt. ‘But he is incredibly methodical and knows exactly what he is doing.

‘So it would be naive to think that suddenly he’s given everybody this massive licence to do whatever they like. There is a method to any madness that happens.

‘We’ve just got to be prepared for whatever they bring.’