‘Shocked’ Scotland legend calls for ‘different approach’ from Gregor Townsend’s side after Rugby World Cup failure led to Peter O’Mahony jibe
Peter O'Mahony celebrates during Ireland v Scotland clash in the 2023 Rugby World Cup and former scrum-half Greig Laidlaw.
Former Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw hopes that Gregor Townsend’s charges avoid giving Ireland any added motivation ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations clash.
The two teams go head-to-head this weekend in what is a crucial match in the title race.
Ireland opened their campaign with a 27-22 victory over England while Scotland were underwhelming in their 31-19 success at home to Italy.
However, Townsend’s outfit certainly have the ability to turn that form around and give the visitors a stern examination at Murrayfield.
Scottish confidence
They are a confident team but Laidlaw has warned them about getting too far ahead of themselves after what happened at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Scotland talked themselves up prior to their clash with Andy Farrell’s side but ended up with egg on their face after the Irishmen emerged with a dominant 36-14 triumph.
The Scots duly crashed out of the tournament at the pool stages and Peter O’Mahony revelled in the win afterwards, aiming a dig in their opponents’ direction.
“They were in the press beforehand saying they were going to knock us off and end our streak, how they figured us out and worked us out. I don’t think they did, to be honest with you,” O’Mahony said in October 2023.
Coincidently, the experienced flanker will play his first game of the 2025 Six Nations this weekend after being named in the starting XV, and Laidlaw hopes Scotland’s mistakes are not repeated.
“I think there should be a different approach. When I saw the sort of messaging come out the last time, before the World Cup, I’m not going to lie, it was kind of a head in hands moment for me,” he told Off The Ball.
“I was a little bit shocked that sort of messaging was allowed to come out, as blasé as it was. I think they’ve got a chance to win the Test match but I don’t think they’re going to be under any illusions – the Scotland team, players and management – that they really need to perform this weekend to win the game.
“I wasn’t part of the team [in 2023] but, if I was part of the team, I wouldn’t be sending them messages, that’s just my opinion.
“I think they will be a little bit tidier around the messages coming out of camp.”
A rivalry has developed between these two teams over the years, something Laidlaw, who featured for Scotland between 2011 and 2019, noticed during his playing days.
“I think it’s grown, there’s definitely been an edge in the Test matches,” he added. “In 2017, there was definitely an edge about that as well. Scotland are obviously just desperate to win.”
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Laidlaw was speaking ahead of Ireland’s team announcement, which saw interim head coach Simon Easterby make two changes to his side for the Murrayfield encounter, with O’Mahony and Robbie Henshaw coming in.
Sam Prendergast has retained his position at fly-half, however, and the former playmaker reckons that decision could play out in Scotland’s favour come Sunday.
“Both good players. Prendergast looked a little bit nervous on the weekend. From a Scottish side, I would probably prefer him to start again this weekend,” he said.
“Great player and he had some great moments within the Test match, and he sort of grew into the game, but he did look a little bit nervous in that first 55 minutes.
“I think Crowley just looked a little bit more assured when he came on.”
