“You don’t always get it right, as I showed today, and he covers me.”
James Lowe started off brightly against Scotland, at Murrayfield this afternoon, as he kick-started a move that led to Ireland’s opening penalty.
Ireland then stretched their lead but a Finn Russell try, after some defensive errors, gave the hosts a platform back into the tie. Garry Ringrose had a kick blocked down and Lowe was caught out after scrambling back to try and prevent the score.
Ireland responded well and led by 14 points at one stage but Huw Jones took advantage of Lowe missing his man, out wide, and it was game on again.
"It's James Lowe. He just sails past him."
"He misses that tackle, he's got to make it."
Scotland hit back once again!#SCOvIRE #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/MZ80gJDdMb
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 14, 2021
Ireland went from 24-10 up to be levelled up by that Jones score and another from Hamish Watson, before Johnny Sexton kicked a late penalty to win it for them.
Asked if Lowe was struggling to get up to the speed of Test match rugby, Farrell replied:
“We’ll sit down with James. There’s obviously others that we need to sit down, with him, and keep educating them, regarding what international football is all about.
“There are guys that are in there that are very young, in terms of where their experience is concerned. But for anyone to come over here and experience something [like this] at Murrayfield is something that they’ll be proud of, and I’m sure they’ll look back on.
“But as far as progressing James’ game, I suppose we’ll help him like we help everyone else as well.”
Farrell, one got the sense, was trying to answer the Lowe question in a holistic manner. In answering that question, he was attempting to point out that the Leinster winger is not the only one that needs to work on their game at this level.
20 minutes later, in the bowels of Murrayfield, Garry Ringrose was asked if he backed Lowe to come good on the Test stage.
Referencing his kick being charged down ahead of Finn Russell’s try, Ringrose responded.
“100%.
“I’ve been on the pitch with James in massive games – club and country – and I’d 100% back him to deliver when it matters, and he does.”
“I’ve seen him do things that no-one else has done in big games,” the centre added. “You don’t always get it right, as I showed today, and he covers me. The two wingers, himself and Earlsy, were spot on today with what they brought.
“When you look at the attacking threats they have, it’s frightening. They’ve got a world-class 15 who keeps attacking those channels and those seams. I think he did well. We all could have done considerably better, as I could have, defensively, and especially for that try. It’s something we can keep building and growing on.”
Ringrose noted how the Irish defence would need to up their game again ahead of next Saturday’s clash with England.
It will be interesting to see if Farrell backs Lowe for that game with Eddie Jones’ men, who have had Ireland’s number in their last four encounters.
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