[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 1: Scotland vs. Ireland (04/02/2017)

[Reiser99]

I've said Scotland to be in the top 3. They still have issues with consistency over 80 minutes, but winning is a great boost.

 

[Car]

Ireland never great favorites - let the all blacks game and all the talk about a potential grand slam get to their heads!

Reminds me of the hype before the World Cup. Although it's still a long way to go and England wasn't all that convincing either. It looks like we'll have a very interesting tournament this year.

 

[munstermuffin]

Reminds me of the hype before the World Cup. Although it's still a long way to go and England wasn't all that convincing either. It looks like we'll have a very interesting tournament this year.

Can't see a grand slam but it will be very interesting if bonus points decide this tournament

 

[Car]

Can't see a grand slam but it will be very interesting if bonus points decide this tournament

Neither do I, but that would make it more interesting. Yes, I agree, although I very much would have preferred the French bonus point system.

 

[munstermuffin]

Neither do I, but that would make it more interesting. Yes, I agree, although I very much would have preferred the French bonus point system.

Yeah French system is good but possibly wasn't considered as it's not as well known in other nations. Like the 4try system is worldwide

 

[The Jones Boy]

That's just the kind of kick up the backside that Ireland needed.

 

[TW27BA]

This sets up an interesting meeting next week. France v Scotland

Going on what I watched today, I'd take France by one score.

 

[jackass11]

France defo favorites now

- - - Updated - - -

the strength in depth of ireland is a myth, jackson and earls and nowhere near international class

 

[dullonien]

Welcome back Scotland, it's been a long time coming, but I feel this win against a strong Irish team will set the tome for a good 6 nations tournament, and hopefully better ans better things going forwards. The intensity in defence and clinical finishing was great in the first half. A combination of Ireland going back to basics, using their powerful ball carriers, and Scotland making a few unforced errors + missing a few one-on-one tackles put Ireland right back into the game, and I thought that they'd go on to win when they went ahead. Great to see the Scots regrouping and finishing strongly to deservedly come out on top.

Really impressed with a number of Scottish players. Hogg was obviously a stand-out, great finishing, and I liked it that he took it upon himself to continue to counter attack in the last few minutes. All too often players tighten up in those situations, and revert to kicking, thus giving possession back to the chasing side to counter and score. I could see the other Scottish players doing just that, but Hogg continued to play to his strengths, and whilst he's got a great boot on him, running with ball in hand is clearly his forte. Maitland had some telling interventions in defence, possibly just as important as Hogg's contributions in attack, as did Barklay when he came on. As others have pointed out, Watson was great in the first half especially.

The slight worry for Scotland is how easily Ireland managed to make-up the deficit. The opposition will always have spells when they're on top, but Scotland looked damned poor for 30min of that second half, allowing Ireland easy metres, handing over possession etc. But for a few last ditch tackles/turnovers + Ireland possibly wasting a few chances, they may have conceded more try''s and lost the game. They need to work on concentrating for the full 80, managing the game better when the opposition are in the ascendancy.

As for Ireland, there were many positive aspects of their game. Their forwards provide a good platform in the scrum, and they have some excellent ball carriers who make plenty of metres. McGrath and Furlong are excellent props, who combine their work at the set-piece with real dynamism around the park, and also seem to have the stamina to last the whole 80 if required. Individually the back 5 of the scrum are all excellent players, but the balance just isn't there. Henderson was pretty average today, and I think Ireland were missing a link player in the backrow. I'm a huge admirer of Josh van der Flier, and despite the obvious strengths of each member of the starting backrow, I'd personally find a space for Josh. Whether that's starting one or the other of SOB and Stander on the blindside, keeping the other as an impact sub, or shifting one to no 8 ahead of Heaslip I'm not sure. I can understand why Schmidt selected today's starting pack, because it's difficult to leave out any one of Henderson, SOB, Stander and Heaslip; however I think he needs better consider the balance there, instead picking 2/4 (with Henderson viewed as a blindside, not lock).

In the backs, Jackson had another strong performance. Maybe he doesn't run the backline as well as Sexton, but not many do. He came to the fore during Ireland's fight-back, really standing up to be counted with a try and some good decision making. For whatever reason, the centres didn't fire today. Henshaw did little of real note, finding traffic instead of space most of the time. He did some hard yards when required, so it wasn't all bad. I didn't realise Ringrose was playing till midway through the second half, and even then I only fleetingly noticed him. Even when Ireland were well on top, he was nowhere to be seen really. The back 3 all tried hard, and all had flashes of good stuff, but didn't have too many chances.

 

[munstermuffin]

France defo favorites now

- - - Updated - - -

the strength in depth of ireland is a myth, jackson and earls and nowhere near international class

Earls actually had good game and PJ wasn't the main problem. Our pack was poor and issue defensively was 2 centres narrowed up alot. It's a learning curve still for 2 young centres

 

[munstermuffin]

Dullonien good summary but key is as you say the balance in pack. All good players but need balance

 

[jackass11]

I disagree mustermuffin, earls at fault for hogg try and offers very little in attack and is too slow for an international, whenever i see him in the team i always think there is a mistake in him

- - - Updated - - -

Ringrose defo at fault as well but would give him a some grace for being new in the team

- - - Updated - - -

i still find it strange that schmidt doesnt blood a more of the talented irish youngsters

 

[munstermuffin]

I disagree mustermuffin, earls at fault for hogg try and offers very little in attack and is too slow for an international, whenever i see him in the team i always think there is a mistake in him

- - - Updated - - -

Ringrose defo at fault as well but would give him a some grace for being new in the team

See thats it you might disagree but as was highlighted after game by both RTE and BBC. Ringrose got sucked in way too much leaving a 3 on 1. Kearney got over and went outside to force Hogg in. But think majority said Earls wasn't main at fault missed a very hard tackle but more Ringrose. As I said wouldnt slate him as defensive understanding takes time. Also Earls scores tries which is key. But look as I say if you don't think Earls is up to it. Fair enough.

 

[SharksFan86]

Caught a bit of this game on my break at work and what a win this was for Scotland, was looking forward to this years six nations anyway but if going to get Scotland catching up and getting results then it will make it even better.

I'm sure Ireland will bounce back and obviously Scotland will grow in confidence with this result.

 

[dullonien]

I disagree mustermuffin, earls at fault for hogg try and offers very little in attack and is too slow for an international, whenever i see him in the team i always think there is a mistake in him

- - - Updated - - -

Ringrose defo at fault as well but would give him a some grace for being new in the team

- - - Updated - - -

i still find it strange that schmidt doesnt blood a more of the talented irish youngsters

You may be right, but personally I put Hogg's try down to excellent pace by Hogg (after all, he's up there as one of the quickest players in world rugby). Sometimes the attacking player just has to be praised. I've got more of an issue with Bowe sitting on the bench. He's been an amazing servant for Ireland, but he's been hampered with injury this season, and has lost a yard of pace he didn't have to begin with!

Problem is, there's no other really obvious pacey wingers playing at any of the provinces. There's a few promising young wingers, but they're more in the Bowe mould, solid, clever players, but aren't exactly what I'd call quick. Trying to think of names, but they escape me atm. Maybe some of the Irish players will set me straight here, but having watched a lot of the pro12 + europe this season, no winger has really caught me eye in terms of pace. Hell, thinking about it, last time I did was Gilroy a few seasons ago when he was tearing it up. Zebo's certainly up there, but he seems to blow hot and cold, with many Irish posters calling for him to be dropped prior to his good run towards the end of last season.

 

[munstermuffin]

Sweetnam and Byrne have gas

 

[dullonien]

Sweetnam and Byrne have gas

There we go, knew I'd be corrected.

Surely one of them would be a better option on the bench instead of Bowe at this stage of his career? Although hasn't Sweetnam only just returned from injury?

 

[jackass11]

what about healy and adeolokan?

- - - Updated - - -

byrne is a great player very similar to watson in pace and skill!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

An 8 hr shift watching the French get optimistic only to be crushed later and I'm depressed with them... That was so ****ing stupid, Scotland were smarter than us from the moment the final whistle blew in Glasgow two weeks ago until Laidlaw ended the game.

1st half was a **** show, all the Autumn superstars didn't think they had to try, Murray was ****e, Zebo thought he was playing 15 and did that badly, Ringrose was introduced to international rugby in the worst possible fashion, Earls being a bad defender is a clichė? Nah... CJ got bullied, Henderson exposed, Jackson had no balls. The only ones who could hold their heads high were the props and the two Robs.

The bench was wrong, mobility was needed in the last 15 so Bealham should have been there, my worries about not bringing Madigan were completely justified because, while he may not be an top class 10, he's not afraid of contact and the gainline like PJ was today, Bowe had a Murrayfield finale to international rugby as bad as Ronan O'Gara...

All this and we still should have ****ing won, 70 minutes, 1 point up and a 5m line out... How the **** does a team lose from there.

Well done Scotland, you ambushed the **** out of us and hopefully taught a lot of the prima donnas on that side a painful lesson.

 

[munstermuffin]

Alpha we see things so different. Everyone said John Ryan was only sub who had good impact. I think your biggest issue is your so hooked on it being Leinster only which is fair. I won't dispute with you as wow. I've never realised it until now. But wow.

Guess I'll just bite my tounge as it hard to find moddle ground with anyone that doesn't see it from middle. There are people hooked on Leinster and equally Munster but well guess some justbwill see it that way and can't change it.