IRELAND HAVE ONLY misplaced to Scotland twice within the final 14 conferences between the nations and sadly for him, Seán O’Brien was enjoying on each events.
In 2013 at Murrayfield, Greig Laidlaw kicked 4 penalties to nudge the Scots to a 12-8 victory over Declan Kidney’s facet.
In 2017 on the similar venue, the Irish bus was late arriving and Joe Schmidt’s Eire began poorly in a 27-22 defeat.
“It was extra in order that these losses have been all the way down to us not doing our jobs and the fundamentals of the sport,” recalled O’Brien right this moment as he promoted the Eire Legends v England legends recreation at Energia Park on St. Patrick’s Day.
“They have been at all times excellent at unstructured stuff and having the craic at instances. Defensive width is without doubt one of the issues after which when you might have the ball, you starve them of it, not give them possession actually, you realize?
“They’re the recollections I’ve from these two video games. It’s not typically we get overwhelmed by them, is it?”
It’s a superb level. O’Brien tasted victory in opposition to Scotland on 4 events, together with an excellent day at Murrayfield in 2015 when Eire hammered them 40-10 after which celebrated just a few hours later when their Six Nations success was confirmed on a memorable Tremendous Saturday.
Eire have grow to be accustomed to beating Scotland which is why these instances in 2013 and 2017 stand out.
However Leinster contact expertise coach O’Brien warns Irish supporters that Scotland are “a special animal these days.”
Inpho / Billy Stickland
O’Brien in motion in opposition to Scotland in 2019.
Inpho / Billy Stickland / Billy Stickland
Gregor Townsend’s facet come into Sunday’s recreation at Murrayfield with some momentum. They beat England and Wales to start out this Six Nations after which performed properly for elements of their defeat away to France, recovering from a nightmare begin to make it a contest.
O’Brien believes that this weekend is a “harmful” recreation for Andy Farrell’s group and but, he has religion of their capability to keep up their very own glorious requirements.
“With the group they’ve now, it is vitally completely different,” stated O’Brien. “They’ve a number of squad depth now. It appears seamless when folks come out and in.
“Again in 2013 and 2017, was that the case? Most likely not. By way of how a lot this group has grown within the final whereas, in case you return to 2013, there might have been complacency.
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“However mentally now, this group of gamers is so robust. There’s a terrific teaching group there and so they received’t permit that. The atmosphere is nice. The gamers know themselves how nice Scotland have been enjoying.
“There’s not going to be any complacency in opposition to these boys. They understand how harmful Scotland may be and at residence as properly.”
Seán O’Brien was talking on the launch of the Eire v England legends charity match which is able to happen in Energia Park, Donnybrook on St. Patrick’s Day in help of rugby charities each in Eire and the UK.
Tickets can be found to buy on Universe.com.
Initially revealed at 14.26
