After coming torturously close to toppling the All Blacks in November, Ireland start the next chapter against Scotland in Dublin on Sunday. All of that sounds great except for the Sunday part. Is there anyone on this green earth who enjoys Sunday rugby? Players hate it, coaches hate it, fans hate it, why can’t the television contractors see it the same way? Sunday rugby is an abomination best avoided, just ask Euan Murray.
Back to the game, Ireland will have to lift themselves above the inconvenient start time to put down a marker against a tough but ultimately inferior Scottish side. The worry is that the bar has been set too high, and a win alone won’t be good enough. There needs to be a certain level of performance, or the momentum is lost.
Joe Schmidt understands this, and also worries about the emotion injected by Brian O’Driscoll’s Irish record 129th cap, and the first of his last go at test rugby. His team needs to be committed, but controlled. Leaving out Gordon D’Arcy and Mike McCarthy has sent a clear message – there is no room for sentiment when a title is on the line.
Sean O’Brien, Donnacha Ryan, and Tommy Bowe are the most notable absentees from an otherwise strong lineup featuring eight Lions tourists. Devin Toner continues to deputise for Ryan while Chris Henry wears the no7 jersey. Simon Zebo and Craig Gilroy have been deemed too short on fitness so Andrew Trimble and Dave Kearney get a go on the wings.
Getting somewhat less press than O’Driscoll is a 50th cap for Rob Kearney, and on the flipside Martin Moore is expected to make his debut from the bench. Paddy Jackson has beaten out Ian Madigan for the reserve flyhalf spot, and Tommy O’Donnell is preferred to Rhys Ruddock as back row cover. Strong outings against the Saxons have been rewarded with reserve jerseys for Dan Tuohy and Isaac Boss, with the latter taking the spot of late withdrawal Eoin Reddan.
Scotland have made four changes and one positional switch from the team that played Australia. Tim Swinson is recalled to the second row in place of Grant Gilchrist, Alex Dunbar returns to fitness to replace Nick De Luca, and similarly Stuart Hogg takes over from Tommy Seymour, with Sean Maitland reverting back to his accustomed wing spot. Illness has affected Johnnie Beattie enough during the week to restrict his participation to that of a reserve, with Ryan Wilson starting for only the second time.
There are legitimate question of form surrounding some of the Scottish players, and they will have to repay Scott Johnson’s faith in them, but it’s unlikely to instigate a full-on revival. Ireland have too much class to lose to this ragged bunch, and though they too will struggle to find their best form, they’ll have more than enough to earn the victory. Take Ireland by 12.
IRELAND vs SCOTLAND
Sunday, February 2, 15:00 GMT, Dublin
Referee: Craig Joubert (SARU)
Assistants: Jaco Peyper (SARU) & Mike Fraser (NZRU)
TMO: Carlo Damasco (FIR)
