Indisciplined Irish nearly pay the price in Murrayfield

Date Published: {J}

ON what we have seen in the Six Nations so far, you can forget about Ireland making a major impact in the World Cup in New Zealand next autumn. Even allowing for the disruption caused by injuries, Declan Kidney’s squad have not been convincing in their three internationals so far even if they are still in contention to capture the Triple Crown – an achievement which no longer carries the prestige of the past.

Having stumbled over the game if limited Italians in their opening match in Rome, Ireland subsequently produced a more invigorating performance against France at the Aviva Stadium. They were really up for the contest, outscored Les Blues by three tries to one and had a great chance in the dying moments to snatch the verdict.

Unfortunately, indiscipline and unforced errors undermined the home team in the end.

Still, the general assumption was that Ireland would steady the ship in their next outing against the struggling Scots, especially as Andy Robinson’s charges had been truly awful in their previous match at home to Wales. Ronan O’Gara and the fit-again Tommy Bowe were recalled to the Irish line up and when Jamie Heaslip went over unchallenged for a try in the fifth minute at Murrayfield last Sunday, you’d be forgiven for thinking that they might romp home.

Remember, Ireland were also facing a Scottish team which hadn’t managed a solitary try in their seven previous outings at Murrayfield and continue to lack a real attacking cutting edge behind the scrum. Yet, by the midway juncture of the opening-half, there was only point between the teams after Chris Patterson had booted over two penalties. Already, Ireland’s indiscipline at the breakdown was a cause for concern.

Yet, they were gifted a try out of nothing in the 26th minute. Scotland inexplicably went long with a throw in near their own line, the loose ball was secured by the Irish before Heaslip’s donkey work paved the way for Eoin Reddan’s first international try. Again, O’Gara landed the routine conversion to put his team 14-6 ahead. The Scottish defence was shocking to say the least in the lead up to that score and the body language of their players suggested that they now feared another tonking on home soil.

But Ireland didn’t press on. Instead, they coughed up another penalty to Patterson and were only five ahead at the break. If anything, Brian O’Driscoll and company appeared a little complacent although they lifted the tempo in the third quarter with a couple of surging Sean O’Brien runs laying the foundation for their third try from Ronan O’Gara who easily broke Ross Forde’s half-hearted tackle. Now 21-9 ahead, the hard work has been done and it was time to bury the Scots altogether.

Unfortunately, it was all downhill after that. Kidney has been criticised in the past for not making earlier use of his bench, but this time the Irish coach arguably introduced replacements too early and with Ireland’s indiscipline continuing to haunt them, Scotland dragged themselves back into the contest with Patterson and replacement Dan Parks supplying nine points between them. Suddenly, Ireland were on the rack as they grimly clung onto their diminishing advantage.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.