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Six Nations

'It’s obviously well-documented': Ronan Kelleher on what Ireland expect from Scots

By PA

1 day ago

Finn Russell of Scotland and Jonathan Sexton of Ireland during the 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Scotland at the Stade de France in Paris, France. (Photo By Harry Murphy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Ireland hooker Ronan Kelleher is relishing a crunch Guinness Six Nations showdown with “world-class” Scotland.

The Scots’ statement 50-40 round-four win over reigning champions France has transformed next weekend’s Dublin clash from a Triple Crown shootout to a potential title decider.

Whichever team is victorious at the Aviva Stadium will move top of the championship table for at least a few hours, before Les Bleus attempt to return to the summit at home to England in the final match of ‘Super Saturday’.

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Kelleher, who made his first start of the tournament in Friday evening’s 27-17 victory against Wales, said: “Look, it is massive for us. We’re obviously really looking forward to next week now.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position to win that Triple Crown. There’s still a chance of us winning a championship as well, which is always obviously the number one thing.

“But it (the Triple Crown) is still massive for us as a group.”

Kelleher toured alongside 12 Scotland players during last summer’s British and Irish Lions series in Australia.

“They’re brilliant players,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s obviously well-documented that they have world-class talent throughout their team.

“We’re just going to have to get back to work, preview the game and get ready to go.”

Ireland have won 11 matches in a row against Scotland but will no doubt need an improved performance to extend that run.

Following the jubilation of a record 42-21 success away to England in round three, Andy Farrell’s side scraped past a spirited Wales team which has now lost 15 consecutive Six Nations matches.

“We probably didn’t hit the same level, but I suppose every Test match is different,” said Kelleher.

“There were different challenges in the England match and we were unbelievably clinical and ruthless in that first half and kind of dug a bit of a score and managed to convert that pressure to points.

“We did a lot of good things (against Wales) and we got into the right areas, we just didn’t come away with the tries at that crucial time.

“It was a very dogged, very tough Test match and they obviously were never going to sit down and just take a beating.”

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Comments

2 Comments

Hammer Head 1 day ago

On current form Scotland takes this in Dublin.

Ireland’s 'disciplined' set-piece machine is misfiring. Their scrum has been found out, and they’re good at leaking penalties and cards the second the pressure ramps up. If Finn Russell brings his kicking boots along, the 3 pointers could rack up faster than the cards.

Meanwhile, Finn Russell is playing chess while everyone else plays checkers—Scotland’s aerial game and transition play are levels above Ireland’s right now.

Ireland might have the home advantage and the bigger men at the breakdown, but size doesn't matter when you're chasing shadows.

If Scotland's pack holds up despite a potential injury list, Russell will carve the Irish defense open like he did to France.

Scotland by 7. And hoping the English (unlikely) come through for them in France!

Eric Elwood 1 day ago

Ireland will try to strangle Scotland. Ireland have shown vulnerabilities out wide which Scotland will exploit unless dealt with. Scotland also attacked through the centre, as Ireland did versus England. Townsend says Scotland just played naturally by getting the ball into space and away from the contact. They also had a magnificent contestable kick strategy.

A danger for Scotland is that they were clearly physically and emotionally down a level from the English match to the Wales match. Ireland rotated somewhat against Wales and rose higher from the Italy match to the England match. Ireland have an extra days recovery also.

Scotland are now showing world class analysis of opposition teams and have the whiskers to implement it.

Ireland and SA generally strangle Scotland. France, England and NZ allow them to play.

Given all the above, Ireland should be able to grind out a two score win. The match will look more like the Ireland-Wales match but with Ireland a lot more nuanced and being relatively more varied.

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