Six Nations 2025: Ireland live rent free in Scotland heads again
Townsend will be warmly welcomed for this latest loss, not only because they were beaten – most people predicted victory – but because they were beaten, playing the same rugby brand, always seeing them being by Ireland beat.
On Townsend’s watch, Scotland won seven out of seven with a draw. They beat France five times and defeated Wales twice in a row – both with historic victories.
They were four wins in five wins against the Kangaroos, and in two Tests against the All Blacks, they were there until the end, one by five, and the other lost eight. But Ireland? This is a recurring nightmare.
The list of things Scotland must do, not, is as long as Corstorphine Road, and they barely tick. Suffocating again. Again, I can’t handle the pressure of Ireland. Error again.
Blair Kinghorn may play for the world’s greatest club, but he doesn’t have a great protector here like Toulouse. The defender was one of his worst days in the Scottish jersey. A talented athlete with a green shirt is his Kryptonite, he is not alone.
Scotland needs more aggressiveness, more warring, more directness, but they cannot live with Ireland in these areas. They don’t have enough weight. There is only a certain degree of annoyance in this team – that’s part of the problem.
Today, Scotland can win in most countries, or at least be competitive, as their backs can have devastating effects, but for the relentless Irish machine, that’s another matter.
Townsend missed the main presence of Captain Sione Tuipulotu in the midfield and you’ll feel that if his other second row is not injured now, he wouldn’t have started with him The two start.
When they got back on their feet, the present and future of the second row were Scott Cummings and Max Williamson and Gregor Brown and Cameron Henderson.
Scotland needs more thunder, more barbarians. To reach another level, they need monsters to meet people like Ireland on Gainline and hit them backwards.
When Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray, despite being excellent players, neither have the carrier or power to lock.
You can add Andy Onyeama-Christie to the mix of sad absent warriors. Whether from the start or on the bench, the back row is part of the solution.
Last year, in Dublin, with only four points at the end of the game, Sarasens’ forward had a huge advantage over him and made 31 tackles. So there was a cavalry, but now it was hit.
We won’t see them in six countries, which is painful because next is England and Scotland’s chances are five consecutive countries.
England is not Ireland, though. Therefore, psychology is different, hope is real.
Scotland will not be beaten until the first whistle from Twickenham. That was Sunday’s suspicion.
Better, yes. There is no doubt. But you also have a feeling – not the first time – it almost started.
