They did all they could. Apart from winning in Paris, of course. But Ireland finished their Six Nations deliriously brandishing the triple crown in front of their euphoric faithful, as well as a fifth bonus point of five. Alas, one of those happened to be in defeat, the one in Paris. They have no doubt pored over that already, identified why they lost, how they could have won, but they quickly returned to the business of winning with gusto and should feel at least as well placed as France as 2023 grows ever nearer.
Whichever way you look at it, Ireland continue to develop impressive momentum. Here they were too powerful for a visiting Scotland side who played with all the brio and pace we have come to expect – but without the heavy-duty weaponry that lifts Ireland into a category above.
Scotland played in devil-may-care mode, another championship long gone, a new playmaker at fly-half, and nothing to lose. Nothing to win either, bar maybe a victory far too late, but they are never less than dangerous these days. Alas, their slashes and parries could not break Ireland’s skin. And Ireland knew how to break theirs.
They had to wait till the death to register that fourth try, but no one was surprised when it came. Ireland’s game was spearheaded by some ferocious forwards, in particular yet another bristling hooker for the future in Dan Sheehan. The balance of, well, power when the game crept to within charging distance of either tryline was firmly in their favour.
The modern narrative between these two resumed pretty much from the kick-off – that is to say, of course, that Scotland slashed with their rapier, to which Ireland responded with a bludgeon. That may be a crude summary – Ireland certainly know how to deploy sleight of hand when the situation demands – but when it comes to the close quarters in what people do love to refer to these days as the Red Zone, Ireland could resort to some brutal weapons. Hence their early 14-0 lead, despite some exhilarating approach work from their visitors.
The trouble with the rapier is that it requires a higher level of accuracy to make tell. Darcy Graham slashed this way and that, as did Ali Price, as did Hamish Watson, small and darting all of them. Pierre Schoeman is not so little, but he too found himself in space early on. Nothing of substance came from any of it.
Then Ireland had a go. Jamison Gibson-Park wielded his own rapier, which Stuart Hogg dealt with masterfully, but soon some flashing hands by Ireland’s backs created an attack down the left. Over to the bludgeon.
A penalty was sent to the corner, the lineout secured and, towards the end of the first quarter, Sheehan broke off the maul to force his way over the line. Ten minutes later, another lineout and another charge by Sheehan set Ireland up for some more boshing. Cian Healy was the next to barge over for a try.
Scotland were exasperated to find themselves 14-0 down with only half an hour gone but they responded. Graham was off again down the right after flashing Scottish hands released him, then Watson slipped a fabulous ball to Schoeman, Graham darted again – the usual suspects – off an inside ball from Scotland’s new fly-half, Blair Kinghorn, and moments later, Schoeman burrowed to the line.
Kinghorn was looking elegant at No 10. And if anyone in these parts can hoof a ball as far as Hogg, he is that man. Alas, his conversion was not so great, so Scotland went in 14-5 down at the break. They knew they had to be the first to score after it.
They duly created the clearest-cut chance – and they missed it. Hogg and rapier are basically synonymous, but he has history here of missing precious opportunities. Here was another. He was clean through on the last man, with Chris Harris and Kyle Steyn free inside him, and he went himself. Hugo Keenan made it across to tackle him into the corner. Scotland’s moment had gone.
Ireland took advantage on the hour. Scotland managed to thwart one attacking lineout but they set up another after Scotland were penalised at their own scrum.
Mack Hansen combined with James Lowe and Ireland were in a position to bludgeon. But it was a smart switch pass by Gibson-Park that released Josh van der Flier to burst through the last tacklers.
Conor Murray claimed the fourth at the death, barrelling through three tacklers off Lowe’s pass from out of a maul. From there Ireland waited in vain for the bonus of the title, but the sense in Dublin was that they were more than happy already.
