IRELAND… 32
SCOTLAND… 18
It’s probably the case with all team sports that all teams have two or three perspective candidates for each spot on the team.
In Ireland’s case, that has absolutely been the reality for as long as I can recall at fly half. From Tony Ward to Ollie Campbell, to Ralph Keyes, to Eric Elwood to David Humphries to O’Gara and Sexton.
And then there was – or it was thought their would be – a big BANG! As in life after Sexton. But, to be honest, there has been no big bang. Because, to be honest, both Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley have seemingly slotted straight into the Ireland squad as if they’d been around the scene for years.
Yet there are those who seem hell bent on looking for problems where there are none. Whether their target for inventing as such was the transition from Andy Farrell to Simon Easterby or the supposedly hostile dynamic between Prendergast and Crowley.
However, whatever about the first bit of that, my instinct would be to be fairly certain the second half thereof is pure dung. One need only look at the following recent quote from Conor Murray:
“It (the Munster-Leinster rivalry) is more or less gone. Once we started doing well with Ireland, it started to fizzle out”.
Now, not for a second do I believe one would take a backward step from the other if they were in opposite corners to one another. Then again, the fact is that the rivalry has been quashed. Purely because of Leinster’s utter dominance.
That said, when the four proud provinces of Ireland pool their resources they are still quite the force. Indeed, how great it is to be able to say the four. With Finlay Bealham and Mack Hansen not only become established but vital members of the Irish team.
Even though it was exquisite link up play between Prendergast and Calvin Nash produced the game’s first try. The Leinster No. 10 later admitting that having GAA in his DNA is central to his style of play. As evidenced by his comfort under the high ball, his quick, crisp passing and his dexterity kicking off either boot.
All the same attributes, mind you, could equally be affixed to team captain Caelen Dorris from Mayo. Devotees of the green and red must curse the day somebody handed him an oval ball.
Because the footwork, ball handling and raw strength displayed by the skipper in mining out his side’s second try would’ve been every bit as much at home in Castlebar or Croke Park as Murrayfield or anywhere else.
For all of the above, Scotland under Gregor Townsend are nothing if not obstinate. Thus, Duhan van der Merwe breached the Irish line with the last play of the first half. But any thoughts of Ireland finding themselves in bother evaporated two minutes into the second half when the irrepressible James Lowe could be observed contorting himself like an astronaut to put a third egg in the basket.
Van de Merwe did cross again and Blair Kinghorn’s boot did get him and his colleagues back to within seven again but like all top teams do, sensing the danger, Ireland realigned their forces – being able to wheel the likes of the aforementioned Munster duo of Murray and Crowley as well as Cian Healy and Jack Conan in off the bench.
With the latter in particular, not only was it great to see the versatile back row forward, whose gametime has been decimated by a litany of injuries, not only again underlined the depth of riches available to Ireland’s strength in that particular area of the field, but, also ended up giving Conan the opportunity to lay down his own marker, selling what he had to offer. and that, lads and lassies, is still quite a lot. Not just because it was he who slid in with the bonus point try either.
Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Some act more by deed than by word. To a point where a mere look will be enough to transmit a signal down through the ranks. Conan is one of one a horde of such Ireland are currently blessed with.
The only ones who can beat Ireland at present are themselves and with the cailbre of player currently in the squad that won’t be allowed to happen.
Leave a Reply