It’s not the first nation in the world for nothing. Long disturbed by Scotland this afternoon, Ireland have finally dominated their subject, and hold the cards in hand before their last home match against England next Saturday. Except huge underperformance against a beleaguered XV of the Rose, humiliated by France on Saturday (10-53), the XV of Clover should win the fourth Grand Slam in its history.
Its historic captain, Jonathan Sexton, even took advantage of the victory at Murrayfield (7-22) to become the best scorer in the history of the Six Nations Tournament, with 557 points tied with his compatriot Ronan O’Gara.
However, the Irish did not expect perhaps to achieve such mastery this Saturday, after a complicated first period. The match started perfectly for them, and a penalty from Jonathan Sexton in the 13th minute confirmed their domination, in the absence of a try (0-3).
But it’s a disaster for Ireland after opening the scoring. Caelon Doris, Dan Sheehan and Iain Henderson all had to leave the field injured before the 25th minute. A bad spell combined with the Scottish renaissance. Long at the start, the locals are conquerors, a try from Huw Jones in the 17th even concluding a superb offensive phase.
An ultra-realistic Ireland
But this Saturday, the Irish have indeed shown that they form a great team together. Despite the injuries, despite the repeated attacks from the Scots supported by Murrayfield, the bosses reacted. In the end, Mack Hansen flattened at an impossible angle in the 28th, a few millimeters from the sideline, to restore the advantage to his team (7-8).
The same combativeness which allows James Lowe to stop Duhan Van Der Merwe just in front of the Irish in-goal after half an hour of play, despite a Scottish numerical superiority which should have hit the mark.
In Edinburgh, the XV du Thistle did not know how to sting when necessary. Bad choices, failed conclusions, spoiling the good intentions of an enterprising team. They will bite their fingers but the Scots have confirmed their return to the top level. For nearly 60 minutes, they abused, destabilized and disrupted the best team in the world, in a breathless match where the suspense was there for a long time.
A controlled end to the game
Gregor Townsend’s men dominated after the break, but did not score a single point for the first 15 minutes to their advantage. At their first real opportunity, Ireland punishes them. After a superb jump pass from Jamison Gibson-Park, a try from James Low on the left wing, followed by a transformation from Jonathan Sexton, gave the men in green an eight-point lead (7-15, 58th).
A few minutes later, a new surgical attack, concluded by Jack Conan, closes the proceedings. It even allows Jonathan Sexton to register his 557th point in the Tournament by converting the test (7-22). A historic record that allows him to join his compatriot Ronan O’Gara.
The Irish never release the pressure again. All in control, they leave no hope of returning to their opponents of the day. An Irish party spoiled despite everything by the injury Garry Ringrose, who is escorted on a stretcher a few minutes from the end of the match, after hitting the hip of Duhan Van der Merwe on a tackle.
Even without an offensive bonus today, the XV of Clover is still approaching a little more than a coronation in this Tournament. In Dublin next Saturday against England, the Grand Slam will be within reach.
