Ireland tends to respond to defeat in the best way possible. By winning.
The Irish haven’t lost consecutive rugby tests since the start of the 2021 Six Nations.
Losing to England 23-22 last weekend was only Ireland’s fourth loss in three years. All four were far from home and followed by a victory.
Home is where the Irish are returning this Saturday to welcome Scotland and try and successfully defend the Six Nations title they failed to clinch at Twickenham.
That stunning defeat brought Ireland to earth and lifted England, Scotland and France back into title contention with varied provisos. But Ireland remain in pole position. Leading second-placed England by four points, Ireland needs a win or draw against Scotland in Dublin to claim the championship.
Coach Andy Farrell has dismissed any hint of an anti-climax after England ruined Ireland’s bid for its first back-to-back Grand Slams.
“Everyone would love to be in our position,” Farrell said. “We’ve got to make sure we’re loving that challenge as well.
“I’ve absolutely no doubt that (Ireland supporters) 100% will be on song. Paddy’s (St. Patrick’s) weekend again, with the chance of winning a Six Nations. It could have been a little bit better but Grand Slams are unbelievably hard to come by. Six Nations are hard enough.”
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Having gauged his side’s reaction to the England result, Farrell says he likes what he’s seen.
“The focus is right where it should be,” he said.
He was so sure that he picked the same XV which started against England. He’s only gone back to a traditional 5-3 bench by dropping Lions lock Iain Henderson for rookie flyhalf Harry Byrne, and recalling fit-again center Garry Ringrose for an injured Ciaran Frawley.
Flanker Josh van der Flier says it was important for Ireland not to over-react to the England result. Ireland was taken aback by England’s attacking attitude but rallied in the second half to get in front until a last-gasp drop goal by Marcus Smith.
“I think when you do lose a game, which happens eventually, it’s so important not to lose what worked so well,” Van der Flier said. “It’ll be a big test, but we’re mature enough as a team at this stage that we’ll be able to get ourselves right and realize that (the title is) very much in our control.”
The odds also favor them. Ireland has won 18 straight tests at home. Scotland hasn’t won in Dublin since 2010, and not at Lansdowne Road since 1998.
Scotland would be in a winner-takes-all fight for the crown if it hadn’t lost to Italy 31-29 in Rome last weekend.
The Scots imploded from 22-10 up after 35 minutes. They stuck to the passing game that initially blitzed the Italians, and errors crept in. The defense also became ragged and discipline deteriorated.
Scotland still could finish the championship anywhere from first to fifth. The Scots also have a shot at another trophy, the Triple Crown, which they haven’t won since 1990.
Scrumhalf Ben White has recharged his batteries and returned after missing the Italy game, and Scotland’s search for a replacement for injured center Sione Tuipulotu has found Stuart McDowall, who has one cap.
“We’ve showed the best part of ourselves a lot of times in the championship but we’ve also let our concentration slip, and if we do that in the weekend we’re not going to come away with a win,” coach Gregor Townsend said.
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Lineups:
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris, James van der Flier, Peter O’Mahony (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter. Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Harry Byrne, Garry Ringrose.
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Stafford McDowall, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell (co-captain), Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge (co-captain), Andy Christie, Scott Cummings, Grant Gilchrist, Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman. Reserves: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Elliot Millar-Mills, Sam Skinner, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Cameron Redpath, Kyle Rowe.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby