Ireland continued there good form with a win over Scotland 32-18. Ireland were comprehensive in victory but may look back at one or two missed chances that went a begging when Duhan Van Der Merwe was in the sin bin.
Ireland had made a few changes going into this game with Robbie Henshaw coming into midfield alongside Bundee Aki and in the pack Peter O Mahony came in for Ryan Baird who moved to take the place of Iain Henderson on the bench.
Ireland led 7-0 when both Finn Russell and Darcy Graham went off for HIA’s with Darcy Graham being replaced immediately when it became apparent he would need further medical treatment, Finn Russell passed his HIA but the Scottish management decided against sending him back on. Ireland were dominant in the opening half and were in front 17-5 at the half. They were on top with very strong defending led by Jamison Gibson Park and Bundee Aki in particular.
The fact the majority of the side comes from Leinster helps the cohesion and although in the long term that won’t be good for rugby in Ireland it is paying off at this current moment. The half backs of Gibson Park and Prendergast led the way and help keep the tempo high.
Ireland’s set piece has again begun to come good after being under pressure last summer vs South Africa and in November. Andrew Porter is back to his destructive best on the loose head side where Finlay Bealham is beginning to show his undoubted quality at tight head.
We are slowing building depth behind Bealham but at loose head we are in need of a young prop or two to put real genuine pressure on Cian Healy.
Back to the game where the impressive performance of the first 40 gave Ireland room to kick on but like previous games Ireland did start slowly in the second 40 where Scotland managed there best spell scoring two penalties through Blair Kinghorn who took over the kicking duties.
That made it 17-11 but that is as close as Scotland would get as Ireland for the second week running managed the game and picked off a few chances in the final quarter.
Sam Prendergast looked composed when putting people into space and he showed that he can play going backwards because when that brief spell of Scottish pressure did come he was able to steer Ireland around the pitch.
Ireland are slowly building a head of steam and will go to Cardiff in two weeks full of confidence. They will know the two late tries of last week and the late concession of that try with the clock in the red at the end of the first half will keep minds focused.
As I say the set piece has been rock solid and with Tom O Toole returning from suspension, Ireland are again looking well stocked. It might be time to try Tom O Toole at loose head, now while that won’t happen mid Championship, I am sure plans are afoot to help out the national side because we are sorely lacking at loosehead beneath Andrew Porter and Cian Healy.
Simon Easterby will look back on his first two games with real pride but will know there still is so much to do in the last three matches of the campaign. They will go to Cardiff with Wales looking for a much sought after win to rest the slide that has seen them lose their last 14 games. To that end Wales will have everything to gain and nothing to lose come 2.15pm on Saturday week.
Ireland will work on a few small things in defence just to tighten things up a small bit. They have found a way to win whatever the opposition in recent times and that bodes well heading for the final 3 games of the Championship.
Ireland will have an “A” game against England in Bristol and that may provide game time for certain members of the wider training group. All of them will know they are only a knock away from getting into the 23, Calvin Nash stepped up and took his try well yesterday.
The 6 Nations goes into hibernation for a short break where league action will take the eyes of supporters next weekend. Ireland will have a few days off and will reconvene later in the week to begin preparing for the challenge of Wales in Cardiff.
I will try and pick my 23 to take Wales on in Cardiff –
15 Hugo Keenan
14 Calvin Nash
13 Garry Ringrose
12 Robbie Henshaw
11 Jamie Osbourne
10 Sam Prendergast
9 Conor Murray
8 Jack Conan
7 Caelan Doris
6 Ryan Baird
5 James Ryan
4 Cormac Izuchukwu
3 Finlay Bealham
2 Dan Sheehan
1 Tom O Toole
–
16 Ronan Kelleher
17 Cian Healy
18 Tadgh Furlong
19 Tadgh Beirne
20 Josh Van Der Flier
21 Jamison Gibson Park
22 Jack Crowley
23 Bundee Aki