Ireland may be focused on Scotland’s ‘threats’ but revenge in Dublin could secure Six Nations with a week to spare
Skipper Rory Best is still reeling from mistakes made in loss to the Scots last year even though Irish could secure series in Dublin with a week to spare
If Ireland are to beat Scotland on Saturday and edge to within a win of only their third Five/Six Nations Grand Slam they must not repeat the mistakes they made in last year’s match, says captain Rory Best.
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The 35-year-old hooker said Ireland allowed themselves to relax fatally once they had battled back from 21-5 down to lead 22-21 with the game entering the final stages only for Greig Laidlaw to convert two penalties to seal the game for the Scots.
The Irish – unbeaten at home in the Six Nations since head coach Joe Schmidt took over after the 2013 edition – will start as favourites even though Scotland arrive in Dublin buoyed by a scintillating 25-13 victory over champions England.
Scotland's number 8 Ryan Wilson celebrates with the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield. Photo: AFP
“We got ourselves back into it and we breathed a sigh of relief,” said Best – who will win his 110th cap this weekend – at his eve of match press conference on Friday. But that was a mistake because if you do that in tests you can easily lose control.
“You can’t afford to do that and we paid heavily for it.”
