After five pulsating rounds of action, you would shed a tear bidding farewell to this year’s Six Nations. It went down to the wire and every team produced two memorable performances, just not always in victory.
After five pulsating rounds of action, you would shed a tear bidding farewell to this year’s Six Nations. It went down to the wire and every team produced two memorable performances, just not always in victory.
For Ireland, who secured a fourth top two finish in five seasons, it’s a fitting end to the championship, crushing Scotland yet again in Dublin. Four wins from five, a Triple Crown and without a couple of stars… much to enjoy!
Death by a thousand uppercuts
As we saw in prior contests, Ireland’s hoodoo over Scotland is impressive and partly mental. A try after three minutes feel eerie, but so too did following every Scottish moment with a suckerpunch.
It was the type of ruthless dominance we all forgot Ireland had in their locker until Twickenham, and arguably underlines the risks in backing an aging side - finding that top notch gets harder.
The experienced prized fighter will often do this to you. Counterpunch harder every time you lay a finger on them. Whether it’s Rob Baloucoune, Caelan Doris, Jamison Gibson-Park or Stuart McCloskey; Ireland always seemed to find a higher note than Scotland, right when they are at their most buoyant.
Rolling back the years
Unlike other games in this championship, Ireland looked like their former glory from minute one to 80. The layers and deception in attack, a lineout and scrum that never wavered and a defensive rearguard that, despite conceding three tries, made a world class backline look ordinary.
There was a bravery in how Ireland felt comfortable to give Scotland possession, but target key fulcrums of their usual good play. Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, Rory Darge and others all played well, but were stopped from having the impact needed in Dublin.
Captain Caelan Doris was awarded player of the match, but it really could have been any one of their stalwarts. Tadhg Beirne was unstoppable, as he often is in a defence-focused game. Tom O’Toole is becoming a top all-round prop, while Josh van der Flier made 23 tackles, and finished the tournament with 0 missed.
What next
Ireland face into the inaugural Nations Championship in much finer fettle than they were in January. Australia, Japan and New Zealand wait in the wings, as Ireland may look to scale up their top side pre RWC, although there is a question as to whether Ireland should try and find more gems deeper in the squad.
As for Scotland, it’s a painful reminder that the best is still yet to come, given just how many glass ceillings need breaking. They will need to cap off this golden generation with a Triple Crown, a title or something in order to deem it a success.
Irish Player Ratings:
Jamie Osborne - 7.5; Robert Baloucoune - 7.5, Garry Ringrose - 7, Stuart McCloskey - 9, Tommy O’Brien - 7.5; Jack Crowley - 8.5, Jamison Gibson-Park - 7.5; Tom O’Toole - 9, Dan Sheehan - 8, Tadhg Furlong - 7; Joe McCarthy - 7.5, Tadhg Beirne - 9.5; Jack Conan - 7.5, Josh van der Flier - 8.5, Caelan Doris (capt) - 9.
R. Kelleher - 7, M. Milne - 7.5, F. Bealham - 7, D. Murray - 8, N. Timoney - 8, C. Casey N/A, C. Frawley - 8, B. Aki - 8.
Coaches - 9
