Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Scotland snatch a win over Ireland with late try at Murrayfield

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Scotland snatch a win over Ireland with late try at Murrayfield

Scotland scored a late try to beat an experimental Ireland side 10-6 in a low scoring World Cup warm-up match at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon.

Having had good possession and try scoring opportunities, Scotland left it till late in the game before they strung together a try scoring phase of play that they could capitalise on. The low scoring nature of the match was as much about the good defence from Ireland and as it was the poor handling and skill execution from the home side.

When they did finally score, it was a very well taken try by London Irish back Joe Ansbro, who had been set up brilliantly by Nick de Luca.

"Nick and I have played alongside each other quite a bit now and I just knew what he was going to do - the feed to me was perfect and thankfully I was able to finish it off," said Ansbro.

For the Ireland side, positives came from the performance of British & Irish Lions fullback Rob Kearney, who returned after a long injury lay off and got through unscathed, playing well.

"It's a huge relief to be playing again. I'd been nervous all week - I don't usually get nerves beforehand," he said. "I came across some big obstacles. The result wasn't what we wanted but from a personal perspective it was good to get through it. I felt really good at times, but was blowing at other times. All in all I was happy and felt pretty comfortable."

How do you view the performances of the two sides in terms of RWC preparations?

Time: 03:46

good try from scotland, pity i missed it because i fell asleep during the game

By Anonymous, at August 07, 2011 8:44 pm
Terrible match, few positives though, second string Irish side, 4 more warm up games to go before WC time and Karney, O'leary and Flannery back in the side. Can't see Ireland lifting the cup, but I think they will shine during the tournament

By Conor, at August 07, 2011 9:21 pm
Only positive from an Ireland point of view was the physicality of their defence...Plenty of gang tackles and plenty of driving the ball carrier back...This will only get better too though as we bring in our first choice back row of Ferris, Heaslip and O' Brien who are all absolute monsters..

Once again though O' Leary is far too slow at passing the ball and it will kill us against the top sides...

If our starting 15 mnage to all keep fit, particularly the back row, Sexton and BOD, then we have a chance at causing some upsets..If we lose any of these though I don;t see us making much progress...

By themull, at August 07, 2011 9:44 pm
Pretty depressing you have to say to have basically the best 15 scottish rugby players out there against 1 arguably 1 irish first team member and the rest being second third and debutant scrubs.

Nice to see kearney on the ball and running hard lines off the ball attracting players too. Fitzgerald has to keep the ball in his damn hands and stop kicking its getting to be too much.

By Anonymous, at August 07, 2011 9:44 pm
Ok game from Scotland perspective-lots of attacking, taking the lineout option instead of going for the kick a few times. Still need to convert chances into tries though. Sean Lamont had a great game.

By Anonymous, at August 07, 2011 9:46 pm
Fitzgerald failed to take what hopefully was his last chance to claim a spot on the plane. Awful form over the past few years and it's time to cut our losses. Paddy Wallace same. Trimble, Leamy and Kearney had great games, Flannery was rusty but showed form. Cullen took every ball standing still and was singularly uninspiring. He'll get another chance to prove himself, though. Cronin has the hand skills of a duck and should be given the heave-ho tout suite. Disappointing attacking play, but awesome defence, except for one, but it only took one unfortunately. Experimental side and a lot of lads who don't have a hope of going to New Zealand. If the third string team plays like that, I can't wait to see the firsts. Scotland will struggle in NZ, I predict an early exit. Ireland have the players and the ability to go all the way.

By Anonymous, at August 07, 2011 9:55 pm
That was the most dire thing I've ever seen. Really an awful match. Andrew Trimble though, he was excellent.

On the negative side though if Paddy Wallace can't tackle properly against Scotland then New Zealand and South Africa would just destroy him.

Also, terrible defence at the end from McFadden and Felix Jones. There was definite blocking though on Wallace so it shouldn't really have been a try.

By Reality, at August 07, 2011 10:10 pm
Another 'thriller' at murrayfield.
Murrayfield is where rugby goes to die, even at club level.

By ElTigre, at August 07, 2011 10:42 pm
Glad the Scots won (and I'm usually an Irish fan). Ireland looked...pretty sad on offense.

The one thing I thought they did well was improve on the breakdown. So that's good.

Scotland looked pretty much the same as always. Threatening on attack, but never really able to finish it off.

I usually love international matches, but I actually found myself yawning during this one.

(Also, what's with Scottish crowds. It's like the atmosphere there wants people to fall asleep.)

By i love bacon, at August 07, 2011 10:54 pm
And to Reality, that's one of Ireland's weakest spots - inside center. Neither D'Arcy nor Wallace is renowned for consistent tackling.

By i love bacon, at August 07, 2011 10:56 pm
That's why I believe he should have been playing Trimble there during the 6 nations...Espeically after he realised how bad Darcy was playing (dropped so many balls and missed a lot of tackles).Trimble adds physicality that is desperately needed beside the outhalf position...

If he had of put Trimble in there for last two or three games of the championship Bod and himself could have built up some sort of a partnership..It's too late now I fear...

By themull, at August 07, 2011 11:02 pm
if the ball had not have bounced out on fitzgelard he would have ran in for a try and that woulda shut everyone up about him he will be going to nz n he should be going to

By Anonymous, at August 07, 2011 11:11 pm
Very lame match indeed, I was surprised how many try chances were wasted by the lack of finishing skills of the Scots.

Richie Gray was inmense though, surely he's gonna start along with Kellock or Hines at the World Cup. Also Strokosch was good, always been a fan of him. Ansbro wasn't bad either, although he isn't very creative with ball in hand...

Declan Kidney surely knows now that Paddy Wallace ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY INTERNATIONAL RUGBY (neither am I, but I don't get paid to make a fool of myslf on the pitch). And Trimble lookes alwasy busy, which is good, as did Fitzgerald (but mate, stop kicking it!)

Looking forward to watching Heaslip, O'Brien and Ferris pack down together. Definitely Europe's best back row.

Cheers

On the

By Juggernauter, at August 07, 2011 11:11 pm
This match just shows that Kidney isn't cutting it any more. I know it was a trial match and a trial team, but he tried out players who we knew were shit or past it before the match like P. Wallace, O'Leary, Leamy, Hayes, Buckley, Ronan, Hayes, M. O'Driscoll.

There were so many better and / or newer players who we could have tried but he wasted it on those lads. And guess what club most of them come from... it's a joke.

Also, the guy who said Fitzgerald was shit. No he wasn't. I don't like him and he's been average this year but he was good in this match and did well with some shitty service. Kearney was also good.

By Sean, at August 07, 2011 11:18 pm
@Juggernauter

I think he has kicked too much throughout this year, but I think on each occasion in the Scottish match it was actually the right choice, apart from when it was kicked to him in the 22 and he booted it back. Also, they were some fantastic kicks.

Barnes was poor this match. Worst example was the perfect pass (not even close to being passed forward) to Kearney at the start of the match. Then, he lets an a similar pass to the Ansboro for the try go. And Paddy Wallace was blatantly blocked and held (see 2.48). It happens straight in front of the runner and Barnes misses it. The try would have been stopped before 10m inside the Irish half but Barnes didn't do his job.

By Sean, at August 07, 2011 11:28 pm
Fitzgerald should be going? Based on what? His performance from two years ago? Yes he was a major contributor to the GS two years ago. But hes not showing up now and frankly hes been given far to many chances in the hope that he will come good. We have far too many good backs fighting for positions to waste one on someone who seems to have lost it. Hes useless under a high ball, is terrified of the whitewash, rarely passes, kicks too much and constantly runs ahead of the ball.

By Anonymous, at August 07, 2011 11:31 pm
Have Ireland ever had a good team? I've only watched Rugby for 7 years and they've always been consistently shit barring 1 or 2 token games in the 6 Nations.

Russia are more of a threat in the world cup

By Anonymous, at August 07, 2011 11:40 pm
Forward pass

By Lucius, at August 07, 2011 11:44 pm
@ Sean

Yeah I guess so, but Fitzgerald had Rob Kearney always in his back who is a very kicking minded fullback (which isn't bad, he's good at retrieving those balls back) and it was a friendly match, also he's got the skills and pace to burn... Kicking won't put you in the plane, unless your name is Morné.

Cheers

By Juggernauter, at August 07, 2011 11:57 pm
I know it wasn't a high scoring game and Scotland won. But Ireland's defence was AMAZING in the first half, 2 or 3 times Scotland got right up next to the try line and Ireland didn't give away any penalties.

Both times played well in the first half and I think for once was watching a good game without any real scores, never thought it would be possible. :)

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 12:00 am
Terrible game, the scots play to their strenghts which usually means dragging their opposition into a trench-war. Looking forward to seeing ireland playing france and england with full strength teams, then we'll see how well prepared they are. Mcfadden i think needs a go at 12, he's a strong runner, can kick, pass and tackle. Fitzy has class and is a natural athlete but needs to find a killer instinct and some confidence. If we best australia in the pools, which i think is a possibility, we could go far. A semi would be fantastic

By james, at August 08, 2011 12:04 am
I can see Scotland doing OK in the WC, somehow their brand of low risk forward trundle rugby fits in well with the nature of high pressure WC games and they have an alright backline.

As for Ireland? Who knows, if the Ireland that demolished England in the 6N turns up then that could be interesting. If its the Ireland that have turned up in the past few WCs then they wont be very exciting.

By Wilkosrightboot, at August 08, 2011 12:45 am
"Terrible game, the scots play to their strenghts which usually means dragging their opposition into a trench-war."

Dragging their teams into trench-war? Sounds like typical Irish tactics to me.

Ireland are lucky they're in the easiest group in the WC. In any other group they're no chance. Even in the easiest group there's question marks over whether they can be Italy.

Ireland are absolutely terrible. They have no answer for the professional game. When their spoiling tactics don't work they get their arse kicked.

It's a shame they're only ever capable of bringing out a 1-off token performance against England every 2 years.

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 1:11 am
@Juggernauter

Yeah, I would have liked to see him let Kearney kick, especially since Fitzgerald is left footed and he was on the left side of the pitch.

"Have Ireland ever had a good team? I've only watched Rugby for 7 years and they've always been consistently shit barring 1 or 2 token games in the 6 Nations.

Russia are more of a threat in the world cup"

If you're going to troll do a better job mate. I admit Ireland underperform all the time (keep in mind this was a half 3rd string half 2nd string team + Sexton which also underperformed) but I can list plenty of games e.g. beating SA, AUS, ENG, FRA and others. Nice try though.

I hope Russia do well though. I was at school with Vasily.

By Sean, at August 08, 2011 1:12 am
@Anon August 08, 2011 1:11 AM

Use subtlety when trolling or else you just sound a bit silly...

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 1:15 am
Lol, i love it, its a game with very few points and ofcourse AS USUAL everyone hates it....

Now considering that through the majority of the game there was great running attacks (only stopped by poor handling or good spoiling) then we had scotland go for touch rather than the posts which lets face it, is what 99% OF YOU FUCKING WHINING BITCHS HARP ON ABOUT ALL THE FUCKING TIME!

FUCK, sick of all of the comments every damn time, if its low scoring its boring, if its high scoring its a shit defence, if its in the middle then it was boring, if it was a run away game then it was boring....

GUYS, GET YOURSELVES A FUCKING PLAYSTATION AND BUY A RUGBY GAME AND PLAY IT HOWEVER THE DAMN WAY YOU WANT TO PLAY IT! LEAST THEN YOU WON'T GET "BORED"

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 2:12 am
Yes, anonymous, we're the ones who refuse to engage in higher-level discussion.

Shame on us.

Thank you for your insight; we have learned much.

By red, at August 08, 2011 2:24 am
Actually looking at these comments has hardened my view on Declan Kidney. I mean when you think about it, half of the players on that Irish team had no business playing international rugby. And he's wasted so much time with using two crap players in D'arcy and Wallace at inside centre instead of trying to find an alternative who can tackle and doesn't just drop the ball all the time.

Also O'Leary, I mean he's physical, but he does not get a backline moving, and cannot pass properly. If something isn't working, Kidney should look for a solution, rather than try to minimise the impact. Same goes for Mick O'Driscoll and Stringer.

By Reality, at August 08, 2011 4:06 am
@ Reality

Well said mate! MOD should be playing third division rugby haha and maybe ireland could buy some centres from NZ? Go to the ITM Cup and do some shopping, I'm sure that the papers will be in order in time for the next World Cup!

By Juggernauter, at August 08, 2011 4:43 am
Agree about MOD too, but Leo Cullen yet again did jack all.

Ire players who had good games;

Leamy, McFadden (bar the try), Trimble (by far Ire's best player here, yet Jim Glennon gives him 6.5/10 and his Leinster bitches 7/10, WTF) and Kearney had good defence game. Fitzgearld still shouldn't be near a green jersey and hopefully we've seen the last of Hayes, Horan, P Wallace in Ire colours too.

Also, great to see Flannery hitting rucks at pace and finishing A game (take note Cullen, if you're at first reciever, do something when you get the ball, even Hayes passed 2-3 times.)

Give BOD his precious 13 jersey, but play him at 12, Bowe at 13 with Earls and McFadden on wings.

Huh!! the 3rd.... Perth

By Huh!! the 3rd, at August 08, 2011 5:08 am
I watched this right after the Aus-NZ game and it was hard not to notice the drop in intensity and pace of the Scot-Ire game. Really was a lower standard.

However, that is probably largely due to the nature of the game, and the second string nature of much of the two starting sides. But yeah, it wasn't a good comparison.

Im sure though, that when all the top players come back both teams will be lifting their game alot.

Also a very nice try by Scotland, good movement and passing.

By N, at August 08, 2011 5:12 am
Dire, dire, dire, dire, dire, dire, dire, dire, dire, dire. etc.

Good to see an ethnic minority player score the try. Doubt it'll change the amount of casual street-level racist abuse he experiences from the neds, though.

What the hell was the crowd cheering for at the end? Relief it was all over?

By J, at August 08, 2011 7:04 am
Why have the Black Jersey? Clearly an attempt to undermine the All Blacks. They should just stick with their traditional white/red. Bloody tosser's

By Clint, at August 08, 2011 8:00 am
Clearly on the wrong page ha, aimed @ the English. sorry guys. continue.

By Clint, at August 08, 2011 8:01 am
LOL @ Conor Ireland suck, thumbs up for positive thinking though!

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 8:26 am
Did someone actually type that Ireland can go all the way? Are you on crack mate?

This WC is about 3 teams (4 if you include England who once again have an easy passage through). The Cup hinges on the result of NZ vs SA in the semis. FACT.

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 10:01 am
Careful with the whole "FACT" thing there anon, they've rarely had mch to do with RWC's to date. Ireland are ranked 4th and have been consistantly in the top 5 over the past 4yrs, so if they don't believe they can go all the way who should? SA are looking pretty crap at the moment so I wouldn't hype them up too much and England scraped past Wales in a match they could easily have lost..at home!

All that said I would love to see Downey get a run in centre, certainly more of a player than Wallace in my opinion.

By I hate ppl who write "First!", at August 08, 2011 10:23 am
The scotts are definatley building, would love to see them have a stormer at the wc - potential giant killers.

Oh watch out scottish fans, as soon as visser nationalises you'll have loads of SH guys bitching at you to!

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 10:51 am
first

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 10:57 am
(or at least first to say first)

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 10:57 am
@I hate ppl who write "First!"

I agree. I'd love to see downey and o'driscoll in the centre. Downey is big and strong and would release drico to attack more. Wallace is a terrible player and will be targeted if he plays. Darcy is a doubt because of his ankle so it might happen. Not.

Kidney is to conservative to take a risk. Thats why wallace will be on the plane.

By Funbobby, at August 08, 2011 11:28 am
No Downey, no Fionn Carr , need I go on,,, sick of these Munster old timers getting slots. Buckley couldnt prop up a bar stool.Kidney is such a dire coach , the players are playing conservative rugby, no offloading or flair. We will get stunned in WRC.

By ConnachtFan, at August 08, 2011 12:02 pm
This game was very boring, and had very very low skill. Im very disappointed in Ireland, poor execution, poor commitment, poor rugby and I dont think they will have a chance at the WC. Well done to Scotland, they deserved to win.

By Laurent, at August 08, 2011 12:35 pm
Laurent, are you really judging Ireland on this performance? You realise almost all of these players won't be on the squad...

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 1:14 pm
It's laughable the amount of people writing off Ireland and bigging Scotland after that game. Let's put it in perspective. That was the Scottish team that will go to the RWC, bar one or two players. The Irish team was made up of players who are at the bottom of the pecking order, like Cronin and McCarthy, or who were coming back from long term injury, like Flannery and Kearney. A few of them were being tested for a return to form, like Fitzgerald, who showed flashes but was disappointing overall. Some of the players who people were writing off played out of their skins, like Leamy, and really put it up to the first string guys. This game was about testing out different things and in all probability, the same will happen against France next week. But it doesn't matter, because these games aren't worth shit. Can anyone really say that Scotland have more chance of winning the RWC than Ireland? I would rather lose games now and gain experience and match fitness, than go to NZ with two games out of two won and not learn anything. Kidney is one of the best coaches in the world and we need to have a little faith in our boys.

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 1:58 pm
"Kidney is one of the best coaches in the world and we need to have a little faith in our boys."

No he is not. Yes, it's a trial game, but he played players who we already knew weren't up to it (the majority were Munster players) at the expense of those who we aren't so sure about...

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 3:09 pm
Lol Ireland should become an internet meme

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 4:01 pm
@Clint I was going to say "I'm suprised no ones been here to complain about Scotlands jersey being too dark, Clearly an attempt to undermine the All Blacks."
I know it was an accident but it was still stated :P

By Lego, at August 08, 2011 4:32 pm
D'Arcy and Wallace. Those are Kidney's favorites. Why? I'm not too sure...

But there are plenty of Irish names who could fill in those spots - especially in lower importance "trial" games like this one.

Both Cave and Whitten from Ulster are young guys who have played for Ireland, Eoin O'Malley and Keith Matthews have both been on the Wolfhounds squad, Nevin Spence and Eoin Griffin are younger still but have both been capped by Ireland U20, as has Paul O'Donohoe. And then there are McFadden and, as others have mentioned, Downey - two different players obviously, but both have been playing the game long enough at club level and have proven themselves reliable. Problem is, McFadden isn't really that much of a 12, as he is a 13.

But the point is that Ireland don't have a lack of options for the 12 spot...you just almost never hear a name other than D'Arcy and Wallace going in there, though.

On a somewhat related note, I heard Carr is going to Leinster next season, yeah? Well, maybe Kidney will FINALLY think about picking him for the Irish squad, since he doesn't seem to realize Connacht has some good players, too.

By mike, at August 08, 2011 4:49 pm
Lol, I love it, people compare NZ v Aus game to Ire v Sco game.....

right as if that is a fair judgement, i mean why not for old times sake throw in a bit of Italy v Ukraine or something..

I mean lets be honest, Ireland have their good days and bad days, but they are not CONSISTENTLY winners, or at least not yet, so in all probability they will NOT win the world cup, however if by some magic they play their little leprechaun hearts out through every game there is a POSSIBILITY that by some magic they could progress well.... however, I think most of the world know that Ireland are a little shaky at the moment.

As for Scotland, big bruising side who generally focus on not LOSING a game rather than focussing on winning it, e.g South Africa and Australia in the last couple years... and really, the only thing people hope for is that scotland lose to a tough opponent rather than get dicked by Russia or someone and not make it out of the pools....

ANYWAY, as for this match, it thought it was a good match, oh and just to add, OFCOURSE THE INTENSITY WOULD BE SOMEWHAT LESS, there is nothing riding on this game.... i mean, look at it from scotlands perspective, they could have gone out there, slotted their penalty kicks and won by a few more points, yet they decided to kick to touch THUS practising movements for the lineouts and generally using the thing as a WARM UP game. I mean thats what i thought was a little dire about the England wales game... JW kicking the penalties... WE ALL KNOW THE GUY CAN SLOT KICKS FROM HALFWAY, why waste his and your and our times by having him do it, when you can actually try lineout moves and practice how you might actually win the game, especially if they end up playing against NZ, because God knows NZ never get pinged for infringements at ruck time so they'll need all the moves they can get!

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 5:38 pm
because the feel-good factor you get from winning these games can be very important come world cup time,there's nothing like that feeling to give teams confidence

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 5:43 pm
Ireland have subsequently dropped to 6th in the IRB rankings.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 6:05 pm
Both teams clearly used as warm up game, passing when they could, trying lots new things that didn't stick. Kicked for the corner when they wouldn't have in a "real" test game. Was good to see.

Contrast to Johnny Wilkinson's drop goals. Not sure if you will learn more than what you already know. He can kick a drop goal very well. Well-done Johnny. No wonder they were outscored on the try count.

By Dotser, at August 08, 2011 6:46 pm
wow. what a snoozefest. Glad I didnt go to the pub & pay $$ to see this. Based on this performance, both teams going to be lucky to get to the quarters

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 7:45 pm
Pains me to say it but lets face it, no NH team is anywhere near close to the SH teams.
From looking at matches in the 6n and warm ups so far, neither team is on the same creativity level as the all blacks or australia. Ireland always seem to look promising leading into a work cup and dramatically fail, 2007 for example.
Although Irelands defense in this game was brilliant in this match, against a better attacking team i cant see how they will be able to double up on a single player as they will leave gaps all over the line which a good attack will spot and tear away.
Sadly I just cant see any NH team able to compete this year with the SH teams.
oh and im from NH no bias whatsoever lol

By Just my opinion, at August 08, 2011 7:53 pm
"because the feel-good factor you get from winning these games can be very important come world cup time,there's nothing like that feeling to give teams confidence"

Whilst that is 100% true, would it not stand in better stead for Wales for instance who ran in 3 tries (was it?) to Englands 2 tries? I only mean that with respect to this game, obviously morale and pride are important, however if scotland had lost this game, yet scored from lineout moves which worked when they kicked to touch rather than kicked at goal Im sure their morale would be higher than just winning from kicking more goals than the other team, only because lets face it 95% of teams have a guy that can slot a kick from 10 metres into the opposition half, or around that mark, so really considering there is no way to actually defend against that shouldn't it just be something that kickers practice in practice...

For instance JW can kick very well... we've all heard it time and time again, so really whats the point in him doing what he can do easily in a warm up game, when it could be used to test set moves or lineouts against a real live team!

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 11:34 pm
oh and @Just my opinion...

Thats pretty much what it was like in 2003 and 2007.... and 2003 had england win it, 2007 had france knock out NZ and england knock out Aus and england in the finals.... not bad for teams that look outclassed...

Im not saying its the same story but you get my drift...

By Anonymous, at August 08, 2011 11:35 pm
^ very true, although in 2003 england were pretty much favourites after a successful tour to the SH without losing a match having beat both Oz and NZ on there own grounds, so they were surely alot better prepared and confident than the teams this year

By Just my opinion, at August 09, 2011 2:18 pm
Ah right ^^ I didn't actually realise that about 2003. I'm an outsider to any of the big nations in rugby so some of these things I have missed out on.

I would like an outsider to win this year, even if its a top outsider, I guess next in line after the big 3 would be England, but they have won it, so maybe France? or Argentina, although I don't think Argentina is quite as together as other teams.

By Anonymous, at August 09, 2011 3:35 pm
I'm not quite sure why people need to be so harsh on the Ireland set-up. They choked big time in 2007 but never really had a terrible world cup up to that point.

As for the superior SH teams, well Australia pretty much flopped at Eden park and SA seemed to have dissapeared altogether. The All Blacks are looking awesome, lets hope they can keep it up. I think they deserve to win a world cup.

I am amazed that someone would consider Argentina above them given present day form, I'm guessing it's down to the fantastic world cup they had in 2007.
In my opinion England won't quite live up to expectations, I may be wrong, but I think they are rather over-rated.
France are always a dark horse coming into these things, it will be interesting to see how the warm ups go with Ireland. And of course there's the Ireland England game to look forward to.
Would love to see Keatling, Downey, Carr, McFadden etc. get a run with the first team. It's a real shame to waste their talent like that.

Just a point of interest for some of the less informed, Ireland has won 4 triple crowns since 2004 and since the 6 nations has started in 2000 has won 43 games, second only to France (44wins) and above the much coveted English team (39wins. So as moderna day Rugby goes, we're really not as bad as some would like to make out.

Would love to see what Bowe could do at centre!

By I hate ppl who write "First!"(...but not as much as SH vs NH c#@ts), at August 09, 2011 4:18 pm
Easily one of the dullest games ive ever been to at murrayfield. If scotland play like this against irelands 2nds, what are argentina and england going to do to us in the pool games at RWC? Same old lack of critical decision making and inability to finish off what can, on occasion, be promising play

By Gav, at August 09, 2011 5:40 pm
do you mean Keatley?If so,he should not be anywhere near an Irish shirt.
O'Gara,Sexton,Paddy Jackson,Humphreys ,even Ian Madigan should be ahead of him in the pecking order

By Anonymous, at August 09, 2011 7:22 pm
@ I hate people who write first...

I sort of agree England are over rated... I'm to tell you the truth, an english fan. (with a good mix of italian scottish and irish blood in there too) but primarily england.... but I honestly think the team are "good" but are to sure of themselves....

I think they think they are good... they are by no means a bad team but they are not world cup winning standard. IF england actually by some miracle win the rwc this year it will be JUST that, a miracle!!! no one in england is expecting much, we all hope for a good performance but generally we have a quiet sort of acceptance that perhaps this year is not our year...

I think you need to look at the players to recognise the "over ratedness" of it all... Take Haskell for instance... he is a good player yes!!! but he thinks he is phenomenal and really he is the kind of cocky puppy that will get bitten by the big dogs when he try's to play too rough! he thinks he is all that yet doesnt have the experience to back up any talent he possesses!

As for this game, I actually was encouraged to see scotland try different things! although slightly disparaged that they performed as they did against an irish 2nd XV, although it wasn't really a scottish first XV was it? I mean parks will be their 10 won't he?

By Anonymous, at August 09, 2011 11:43 pm
wallace and oleary dont deserve a green jersey......
stay at home boys..

By Ronan, at August 09, 2011 11:59 pm
I think its time to see much more self belief from Scotland, Ireland, Wales and england. The Boks - definatley beatable, and a mediocre england side have twice shown that we can beat the aussies.

The French will over egg their chances. Threats exist from the likes of argentina & Italy in the banana skin style. All four teams have the ability to hit a semi final, New zealand look dangerous but they havent won it yet.

I for one will be behind all of the sides, as long as your not playing england of course!!!

By Savage, at August 10, 2011 11:33 am
How can anyone suggest that Ireland have always been a poor side with "token" wins over England every 2 years. they have won the triple crown several times, and a grand slam in 2009. Thats more recently than any other British team. I am a scot by the way and was not impressed with the game at the weekend. that being said Ireland are more than capable of "token" wins, ludicrous comment in my opinion.

By Didyoucryin1990?, at August 11, 2011 4:11 pm
^ because they don't have a "token" black guy...

By Anonymous, at August 11, 2011 6:26 pm
^I have a token for you. Go put it in the shutthefuckup machine.

By Anonymous, at August 12, 2011 3:18 pm
^ Um.... why? what was wrong with my comment? I was pointing out the truth...

By Anonymous, at August 12, 2011 10:49 pm