Scotland set for Six Nations rugby acid test against champions Ireland

LONDON – Scotland face a severe examination of their Six Nations title credentials, when they try to end a 10-match losing streak against two-time defending champions Ireland at Murrayfield on Feb 9.

The Scots last enjoyed a win over Ireland in February 2017, before coach Gregor Townsend took charge a few months later in May.

For all the talk of a “golden generation” featuring gifted fly-half and co-captain Finn Russell, as well as try-scoring wings Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, the cold hard fact is that Scotland have been without a title since winning the last edition of the old Five Nations championship back in 1999.

Ireland, by contrast, are bidding for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations crown after clinching the 2024 edition with a 17-13 win over Scotland in Dublin.

The two teams enjoyed contrasting wins in last week’s Six Nations openers.

Ireland came from 10-5 down at half-time to beat England 27-22 in Dublin. Scotland withstood an Italy fightback to complete a 31-19 victory at Murrayfield after the Azzurri had drawn level at 19-19.

But Scotland centre Huw Jones, who scored a hat-trick of tries against the Italians, said more was needed to achieve a long-awaited success against Ireland.

“We’ve wanted this one for a long time and never quite got it, so it’s a huge challenge for us,” the 31-year-old said. “It’s a real cliche, but it’s the big-match temperament – that’s what we need to find within this squad.

“We’ve had it in games in the past but never strung it together. I feel like I say the same thing every year.”

Scotland’s willingness to talk up their chances of ending a dire run has often led to Irish accusations of “arrogance”, but coach Townsend insisted he had no interest in talk of a “grudge match”.

“Maybe it’s more on the Irish side, or the Irish media side, there’s this rivalry or needle to give them extra motivation on why they want to win again,” he said.

Ireland coach Simon Easterby, meanwhile, insisted past results against Scotland were no guarantee of future performance. He launched his reign as interim replacement, while Andy Farrell is seconded to the British and Irish Lions, with the victory over England.

“We’re just focused on getting our own game in order, making sure we deliver a better performance than we did against England because that’s what it will take to beat Scotland in Murrayfield,” he added.

Easterby, himself a former Ireland back row, has recalled flanker Peter O’Mahony – the 2024 title-winning skipper and a veteran of 110 Irish caps – to add experience to a team now led by No. 8 Caelan Doris. AFP