Ireland 36-14 Scotland: 'Irish top pool in style to set up biggest challenge yet'

1 year ago 16

Andy Farrell and Johnny Sexton shake hands after Ireland's win over Scotland

This time, there was to be no heart-stopping climax at the Stade de France.

On Saturday, however, the world's number one side thought better of giving their fans another nail-biting conclusion as they dispatched Scotland from the competition on another night of Irish joy in the French capital.

Ireland wasted no time laying waste to Scottish dreams. With barely a minute on the clock, and with the first rendition of the Fields of Athenry being belted out of Irish lungs, Garry Ringrose sliced through the Scotland defence, launching a move that finished with the now-familiar sight of James Lowe diving over in the corner.

Watching from his vantage point high up in the stadium, Andy Farrell punched the air. It was precisely the start he was after.

Scotland's response was swift, spirited but ultimately insufficient. They spent healthy periods of the opening 20 minutes deep inside Irish territory but had nothing to show for their enterprise, while the injury-enforced departures of Blair Kinghorn and captain Jamie Ritchie further dented their hopes.

In stark contrast, Ireland were breathtakingly clinical. They crafted opportunities and executed, masterfully assembling yet another reel that showcased their ability to overwhelm opponents.

By the time the green shirts gleefully bounced down the tunnel at half-time, a Hugo Keenan double and a score from Iain Henderson had Irish fans dreaming of a reunion with the All Blacks as Scotland were ushered out of the pool-stage exit door for the third time in the past four tournaments.

A week off spent healing the bruises from the immensely physical fixture with the Springboks clearly benefited Ireland. They were sharp, fresh and found the gaps in the Scottish defence with alarming ease. Gregor Townsend remarked post-match that it was the best he had seen Ireland play. It is a high bar, but you could see why he said it.

As former Ireland flanker Chris Henry put it on BBC Radio Ulster, at times it seemed like Andy Farrell's side were playing with two or three more players on the pitch.

The reality is they were just far superior in every department as they put the finishing touches on an impressive body of pool stage work, the key numbers of which include:

19 points from four games, their best-ever return in the pool stages
26 tries in those matches, more than they have managed at any other tournament
190 points scored, easily eclipsing their previous pool best (141 in 2003)

Some of the bigger picture numbers are worth bringing up again. It is now 29 wins in 31 Tests, 17 wins in a row and nine on the trot against Scotland.

Wherever you look, this Ireland team are putting up some serious numbers.

By the end of it all, as Zombie once again reverberated hauntingly through the Stade de France, the Scotland players looked drained. For them, it was Yokohama all over again.

Ireland, however, move into the biggest week this group has had under Farrell's leadership. Four years ago, they were outclassed by a rampant New Zealand side, a defeat that signalled the end of the Joe Schmidt era and laid bare the gulf between Ireland and the elite of world rugby.

That gulf no longer exists. The Irish now have the psychological edge of having won a Test series against the All Blacks last year and also came out on top when the sides met in Dublin in November 2021.

The All Blacks are, however, the last side to have beaten Ireland, in last summer's first Test. Ireland have been unstoppable since, but while New Zealand were wounded by France in the tournament opener, they scored 25 tries in their past two games in Pool A.

They appear to be peaking at the right time. Combine that with the desire to avenge a series defeat on home soil and they are a frightening prospect for anyone. However you look at it, it is shaping up to be another box office offering under the lights in Paris.

"(The All Blacks) have already said it's one that they want and when they're hurting and they want to put it right, that's the biggest challenge in rugby, to try and beat them when they're in that frame of mind," said Ireland captain Johnny Sexton.

"Two teams will both be under pressure for different reasons. And it will be who copes with that the best and who can put their game out there on the biggest day when the pressure is on."

Ireland players after the loss to New Zealand in 2019

Farrell now enters the biggest week of his reign. Saturday's quarter-final represents the opportunity to do what his predecessor could not and topple the All Blacks on rugby's biggest stage.

It is a monumental challenge but there is more than enough evidence over the last couple of years to suggest this Ireland can succeed where they have so often failed.

"New Zealand are a fantastic side," said Farrell, who hopes to become the first coach to lead Ireland to the World Cup semi-finals.

"But for little old Ireland to be talked about in the same bracket shows how far we have come as a rugby nation.

"Our respect for them is through the roof, their form is top drawer at the moment.

"They will be relishing this fixture to try and put a few things right."

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