HARD HITTING VIEW

Scotland were at the centre of controversy before a ball was kicked yesterday as it was revealed that six players, including Stuart Hogg the captain, were disciplined for heading out to celebrate after the victory against Italy last weekend.

That he was joined by Ali Price and Finn Russell, two of Scotland’s senior players, was foolish at best, irresponsible at worst but it pointed to a lack of discipline in Gregor Townsend’s squad – and not for the first time.

Discipline may have been a problem off the field in the run up to the match, but it was also a problem during the game. Scotland have given away more penalties than any other side this Championship and the rather worrying trend didn’t change against the Irish.

Townsend decided to drop Russell for Blair Kinghorn – an unproven goal-kicker, which was always going to be a risk, before considering that Kinghorn has only started a handful of games for Edinburgh in such a pivotal position. It was a gamble placing such faith in someone so inexperienced in that role when the Irish defence is pretty much impregnable.

Scotland’s captain doesn’t have good form at Lansdowne Road. He dropped the ball over the tryline a number of years ago and he butchered a golden opportunity to score after half-time by not passing to supporting players who were in the clear. It would have been a certain score had Hogg not taken the selfish option and could have changed the momentum of the match.

On the other hand, Finn Russell made an immediate impact when he was introduced in the closing stages of the game, providing a great chance for Mark Bennett with a sublime pass in the face of the Irish defence. It did leave one wondering whether giving Russell the chance to make amends for his indiscretion during the week would have been the prudent option.

In the end, Ireland were simply too good for Scotland despite the visitors starting brightly and finding some gaps in the Irish defence.

While it took Ireland until the 78th minute to score the bonus point try, they were a class apart in almost every department – perhaps with the exception of the scrum, which England had exposed last weekend.

It was a pretty miserable end to a week which had not been Scotland’s finest. For a Championship campaign to end with a thumping bonus point defeat in Dublin after starting so well against England was enormously disappointing, particularly after the optimism around the camp in January.

Scotland have demonstrated that they are failing to progress. The win in Rome was sketchy and until Luke Cowan-dickie was sent off in the Calcutta Cup match, England were in control. With a World Cup next year, it hasn’t been a good campaign.

‘ In the end, Ireland were simply too good for Scotland