Scotland: Shock the Irish
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Scotland kept their Six Nations title hopes alive thanks to a hard fought 12-8 victory over Ireland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
It's the first time since 2001 that the Scots have won back-to-back Six Nations matches.
After trailing 8-0 early in the second half, the hosts put 12 unanswered points past their Celtic rivals thanks to the boot of scrum-half Greig Laidlaw that helped his team to an unlikely win and that effectively ends Ireland's Six Nations challenge.
It certainly wasn't the most memorable Championship clash ever witnessed, as the two teams served up a borefest in the first half with Ireland - who dominated possession throughout - heading into the break with a slender three-point lead.
However, Scotland's fightback in the second half breathed some life into a tight contest.
Ireland started the game with a roar and a hiss, with centre Luke Marshall breaking the Scots' defence with ease in his Test debut. But Ireland failed to convert pressure into points - even against 14 men after Scotland prop Ryan Grant was sin-binned - and only had a 35th-minute Paddy Jackson penalty to show for their dominance.
Ireland finally found the breakthrough they deserved when wing Craig Gilroy crossed early in the second half out wide. The tricky conversion from Jackson, who missed three times from the tee, was unsuccessful.
That try only seemed to give Scotland the wake-up needed to mount a comeback and it didn't take long for Laidlaw to put his team on the scoreboard with his first penalty kick of the match on 53 minutes.
Jackson pulled another penalty wide two minutes later, but Laidlaw showed the Irish rookie how it was done with his second three-pointer of the afternoon that cut the deficit to just two points and suddenly the crowd came alive.
Laidlaw continued to find his target and made no mistake with two more accurate kicks to give the Scots a four-point cushion entering the final five minutes of what was turning into a gripping finale.
But Ireland weren't prepared to roll over yet, and threatened to steal the match from their hosts when they awarded two attacking scrums 10m out from Scotland's tryline.
However, Scotland dug deep in defence and there was no way through for the Irish whose knock-on sent Murrayfield into raptures.
Man of the match: Scotland lock Jim Hamilton won the official gong, and his hard work at the set-piece was a real standout for the hosts. But we've opted for hero of the day Greig Laidlaw, who's four perfect kicks at goal handed Scotland victory.
Moment of the match: There weren't many. But those last few minutes that so nearly ended in heartbreak for the hosts was a real nail-biter.
Villain of the match: Ryan Grant's sin-binning didn't prove as costly as Paddy Jackson's three missed kicks at goal which ultimately cost his side dearly.
The scorers:
For Scotland:
Pens: Laidlaw 4
Yellow card:Grant (15th min)
For Ireland:
Try: Gilroy
Pen: Jackson
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Ruaridh Jackson, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Kelly Brown (c), 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Moray Low, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Alastair Kellock, 20 David Denton, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Max Evans.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip (c), 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Devin Toner, 20 Iain Henderson, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Comments
RugbyLocos says...
Fish.............
Can't beleive that I am in agreement with you for once!!! - so far, this six nations has been a load of pants. Absolute rubbish from all teams involved. Clermont could probably beat any of these teams also.
Posted 20:16 24th February 2013
Gleek says...
@ronanmeager - I think the difference is that Kidney's success at provincial level was based on having a powerful pack and very conservative tactics. Ireland don't have the players to pick from that can dominate in the same way at this higher level so Kidney's tactics are exposed.
Schmidt, and to a lesser extent O'Shea, coach their sides to play high tempo 15 man Rugby, which would really suit the players Ireland have. I can't imagine that in two years time that will change which is why I'd like to see Schmidt get the job.
Kidney has stuck with the tactics (and players to a certain extent) that got him the role in the first place so perhaps it is more fool us for expecting flowing rugby from him.
Posted 20:04 24th February 2013
paddy91317 says...
Its such a weird contrast when you support your provence and see them have so much skill precision drive and overall success and then see that pile of crap unfold infront of your eyes.... all joking aside kidney should leave tonight and let mike ruddock take the next too games untill an actual head coach can be found.... as far as my opinion goes we should write off the next 5 years and build a team for 2019.....2015 world cup is to close now for any reasonable expectations.....
Posted 19:12 24th February 2013
atg77 says...
Heroeic rear-guard performance from Scotland, thouroughly deserved win. However, the lack of threat in attack was extremely disturbing. The Scottish wingers were utterly invisible; desparately need a more ball-playing midfeild.
Posted 18:49 24th February 2013
curates_egg says...
@Fish get a life troll
BOD was the best back on the pitch. Only Irish player to reinforce his Lions credentials today. Lovely hands on so many occasions...lucky wife.
Posted 18:14 24th February 2013
curates_egg says...
@Frooschman you're not the only confused one
The keyboard jockeys here on PR love to blame individuals but that was shambolic. 3/4s possession and still lost. This Irish set-up clearly has massive issues: tactics, game management, leadership and squad preparation being the primary ones that come to mind. This was Kidney's last chance and it should now be clear to all that he is not the man to take Irish rugby forward. Let's hope the IRFU has prepared for this eventuality.
Poor old ROG, who is an Irish rugby hero, should not be allowed to bow out in such indignity as this past international season. The media and management are just as responsible as the player.
Posted 18:12 24th February 2013
Bigspottedcat says...
Firstly - well done Scotland on a hard fought win. You were warriors and it was a delight seeing how proud your fans were today.
Now - Kidney must go. He needed to go last year. Team selection Captain selection Strategy - all wrong wrong wrong. What's worse is that he is scarring the future by damaging young players. Irish rugby deserves better. Irish rugby deserves Conor O'Shea.
Posted 18:05 24th February 2013
THESKUTCH says...
Kidney and O'Gara have decided that they'll take Irish rugby into retirement with them. An awful set of cabbage eaters
Posted 18:00 24th February 2013
1st58 says...
It would be very generous to call that entertainment.
Posted 17:54 24th February 2013
new_j4a says...
Well done Scotland!
Where is Sincero when you need him? I am desperate for his opinion on just how many Irish/Leinster players will be on the Lions tour. I seem to recall that we were hearing that Leinster was going to walk away with the HC for a record number of times and that Ireland was in line for the 6N title, probably with a GS.....such high expectations in the face of so little talent?
Posted 17:48 24th February 2013
Derrynane says...
admack said Scotland were bold! Scotland were shite but managed to be less shite without the ball than Ireland.
Posted 17:33 24th February 2013
jbscott19 says...
Well Done Scotland for hanging on in there and getting the luck of the Woeful Irish.
Well done Marshall on you debut.
After winning the first match, we will be lucky to win another. Even Italy can probably beat this team in it's current form.
Hopefully this is Deccie's third last match.
Posted 17:32 24th February 2013
jehosophat says...
I have not seen a game where the result went so against the flow of the match since SA vs Aus in the RWC! The Irish need to give a beating to whoever it was that missed O Driscoll unmarked on the inside... And find a kicker...
Posted 17:26 24th February 2013
rockman says...
A truly Woeful Irish performance from a dull and boring Irish team. Kidney has to go now, horrific gameplan, lack of leadership. Heaslip is not a captain
Posted 17:25 24th February 2013
LondonWasp says...
well done scotland!!!!!!
help us english and beat the Welsh now!!!!!!!
Posted 17:11 24th February 2013
SUFTUM says...
While Jackson's misses were poor, his overall performance was impressive, it was the team performance that cost us the match. That Scotland got four lockable penalties from 20% possession in ridiculous, out discipline has cost us many games in the last few years. We didn't seem to have a gameplan, and some of Deccies substitutions were ridiculous, like taking off Gilroy instead of Earls, who yet again confirmed the he should be nowhere near the Ireland team. Kidney out, O'Shea in!
Posted 17:08 24th February 2013
admack says...
Scotland were bold, and took all their chances - the stats suggest they were poor, truth is they were better ...
Posted 16:50 24th February 2013
ronanmeagher says...
@3in4 - would you not put some blame on P. Jackson for missing all of those kicks.........I would.......or indirectly blame Kidney for putting him in the position to miss. I think we are all aware of Earls blinkers, he made some good breaks, problem is he doesn't seem to know how to pass....however, I think he played better than Gilroy.
Huge question marks over the captaincy again, serious lack of leadership and game awareness/management.
I want Kidney gone, but he has a better club record than both Schmidt and O'Shea.......and I'd certainly take either of those now, but don't want to hear people moaning about them in 2 years like they have been moaning about kidney for the past 2 tears.
Posted 16:21 24th February 2013
jontheref says...
Probably the worst game of the 6N so far.
I pity Wayne Barnes,having to referee this dross.
he gave 29 penalties, and could easily have given another 10, but for some good ref management.
Jom Hamilton MOM, well done, but he got away with so much illegal play, sitting on the floor under a maul, still trying to pull the legs of players.
What was the TJ doing?
Illegal and dangerous.
But he got away with it, and was MOM, so another gong for him.
Posted 16:18 24th February 2013
J_HDK says...
I hear lots of cries "How did we lose?!?!"
If you are not able to kick your goals ... and you cannot be sure of securing your own lineout... then you are in severe trouble.
As soon as O'Gara came on there was a feeling around the pub "Ah O'Gara's on, well at least that means...OHHH FOR F&%$S SAKE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!?!"
And yet again the opposing team is down to 14 players and Ireland fail to score.
On a side point. The first two penalties off the scrum that Scotland were awarded should be looked at.(as an example) As the rules stand, yes they were penalties. But the ball was available for a few seconds before the penalty was conceded. The scrum is intended to be a means of restarting the game from minor infringements, not as a penalty farm. (Barnes had a good game)
Posted 16:15 24th February 2013