Scotland captain John Barclay has said that Ireland play a ‘brutally effective’ brand of rugby ahead of his side’s Six Nations trip to Dublin on Saturday.
Ireland have won their first three games by playing a possession based game where they have managed to minimise the amount of penalties they’ve conceded while maximising pressure.
Joe Schmidt’s side have the opportunity to win the Six Nations this weekend should they win and England lose to France, or alternatively, should they secure a bonus point win and should England beat France but not secure a bonus point, and Barclay, and the wider Scottish staff, seem to be preparing for a highly physical encounter at the Aviva Stadium.
“I was talking to our physio the other day and he said he was ordering in more ice bags for Dublin,” Barclay wrote in his BBC column.
“He said that, from his perspective, he gets through more ice to nurse more bumps and bruises in games against Ireland and South Africa than any other nation we play. I laughed, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a joke.
“We know what’s coming at the Aviva. Loads of intensity, loads of attrition. Ireland are in great form and they’re well drilled. I’m always saying in this column that whoever looks after the ball best usually wins these games and Ireland look after the ball extremely well.
“They had 69% possession and 75% territory and conceded only four penalties against Wales. They had 63% possession and 65% territory and conceded just three penalties against Italy. They had 68% possession and 68% territory against France and gave away only six penalties.
“Those are some impressive numbers. They play hard, direct and winning rugby. They run off Conor Murray a lot. About 70% of their ball carries are off nine. They try to grind you down with their power game. They kick to the corner and when they get in your 22, they’re very hard to stop. It’s a brutal style of rugby, and it’s been brutally effective.
“I’d imagine that the words Grand and Slam have been whispered, or even shouted, this week. Not much by the players, I’d guess, but by the media. It’s only human nature. They’re the only team left in the tournament who can achieve it and they’re only two games away from it. Pressure comes with that, but these boys are hugely experienced.”
Last month’s win over the English represented Scotland’s first win over England since 2008 with Townsend’s side still in contention despite their opening day defeat to Wales.
A win for Scotland this weekend would see the Six Nations contested until the final round with head coach Gregor Townsend insisting that his side will have to improve if they are to topple tournament leaders Ireland in Dublin.
“We were delighted with the result against England and backing up our win against France with an improved performance,” said the former Glasgow Warriors coach.
“The intent we showed in attack and defence in the first half was very encouraging and we continued to work hard in the second-half. The effort that went into denying England a second try in the closing minutes was great to see.
“Our players had prepared very well for the challenge of taking on England and there has been a similar focus and commitment this week at training.
“There are a few areas of our game that we are working to improve and we are aware that we will have to be better if we are to beat a very good Ireland side in Dublin.”
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