Scottish Rugby

Sandy Smith
Fan writer

A carnivorous plant was discovered a few years ago. In 1872 I think it was. It attracts insects using its blue and burnt orange fauna and when they land it devours them mercilessly.

The attraction bit was Edinburgh in the first half against Ulster. The devouring, well, that was what happened to the good feeling every supporter in a frosty Hive had as the second half unravelled.

Three tries in that first half, all from backs, all worthy of acclaim and that all hinted at a much greater cohesion in that backline that hasn't always been evident.

The half-time whistle not only ended the first 40 minutes, it also ended any attack threat Edinburgh had previously displayed.

For the fourth time this season we lost a game by failing to score a single point in the second half. A stat reinforced by the fact that across the season Edinburgh have scored 20 tries in the second half whereas the opposition have scored 39.

The moment that turned the match was the box kick from Ben Vellacott on 49 minutes that was gathered by Werner Kok. Ulster went almost the length of the pitch to score and draw level. It felt like it sucked any resistance out of Edinburgh and thereafter all the momentum was with Ulster.

Our box kicking was poor throughout. Nine were kicked and only one was reclaimed. Our lineout wasn't much better.

After that 49th-minute try it was all defence from Edinburgh. It was, despite Ulster's scores, a decent defence but when your territory and possession are in the 30% range in that second half and you have to make almost twice as many tackles as your opposition then it becomes almost a fait accompli that gaps will appear.

There were strong displays from the likes of Connor Boyle and Harry Paterson, and lineout woes aside Dylan Richardson was also strong on both sides of the ball, but overall it felt a little rudderless.

The ball is all but burst for this season and it feels like we would be better to just concede these next two fixtures and use the money for the trip to South Africa to pay off Sean Everitt and bring in someone who can at least give an inspiring half-time team talk.

Sandy Smith can be found at the Burgh Watch, external

Do you have any burning questions for our rugby experts after the Six Nations finished for Scotland with a disappointing defeat by Ireland?

Send in your questions via this link and a selection will be answered by our experts and published on this page later in the week.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Irish power wins the day…again

Ireland's power game has proved too much for Scotland to handle over the past nine years and Saturday at the Aviva Stadium was just another chapter of the same story.

The Scots were knocked off their game by a ferocious Irish defence, and with Tadhg Beirne and company all over the breakdown, the quick ball Scotland thrive on was in short supply.

In that scintillating first hour against France, Scotland were so clean in their work, but they just could not get close to those levels again.

That was in large part down to a mighty Irish performance, but Scotland's error count was way too high. While many of those errors were as a result of Irish pressure, some were self-inflicted wounds, and that will sting.

Gilchrist goes down fighting

Grant Gilchrist was part of a Scotland pack that quite comprehensively came off second best in Dublin, but the old warhorse produced a fine individual display.

On the day he became Scotland's most-capped lock on his 88th appearance, Gilchrist's work rate was outstanding.

He carried time and again into the guts of the Irish defence, and even showed velvet hands to put Rory Darge in for Scotland's third try.

It was a courageous display from the veteran lock as he left it all out on the field and went down fighting.

Progress bookended with disappointment

If you offered Scotland fans before the Six Nations a third-place finish that included wins over the two tournament favourites, France and England, then many would have taken it. Just about all of them would have snapped your hand off for that scenario after the opening defeat in Rome.

In a way it's a shame last week's thrilling win over France was not the final match as there would be an strong sense of positivity around where this Scotland team is going. As Huw Jones told us after the game, the Ireland defeat "has taken the wind out our sails".

A top-half finish is a decent return and there was so much to like in those three victories over England, Wales and France. The two defeats confirmed there is still work to do for this team to get their hands on silverware.

If Scotland are to win a trophy, they will need to figure out a way to finally put one over the Irish.

Scotland fans, we asked for your opinions on the 43-21 defeat to Ireland in the final Six Nations match against Ireland. Here's a taste of what you had to say...

George: Scotland have reached their ceiling under Gregor Townsend. Yes, there have been improvements but we have conceded 80 points in two games. That is just not good enough. It's time for a change and a new voice, we won't win the key games under this management. Nine attempts is enough.

Doug: We will never beat Ireland under Townsend. We try the same every time and they have our number. One good win against France doesn't cover three mediocre away performances. If we stick with the current management we will never get to a World Cup quarter-final or finish above third. Same chat as every other Six Nations since 2021.

Nigel: Enterprising rugby in bursts yet again and no lack of heart, but old failings around basic errors and skillset still an issue. Rely on opposition mistakes and chaos to win games but discipline has improved.

Jeffrey: Yet again Scotland were dominated physically and indeed bullied by Ireland at the breakdown. They also were obsessed with picking and going near the line which was easy to defend against. The creativity on display in three of the other games was not particularly on display today.

Unfortunately, Scotland badly missed Scott Cummings and Gregor Brown who are very physical. The other issue was that every time Scotland scored and got back in the game they completely messed up the restart and eventually Ireland scored.

Ultimately Scotland lacked accuracy, cohesion and composure when it mattered. Have our much vaunted centre partnership played a poorer match together?

Brodie: Scotland supporters are now in two separate camps. One camp is the Townsend style of play that brings some great home wins and some very entertaining rugby. The second camp is made up of supporters who enjoy the entertaining games and good results, but want to see something more tangible, something that is longer lasting and can earn Scotland a Triple Crown or Six Nations trophy.

It's not that the second camp hate Townsend or think he is a bad coach. They believe that he hasn't got the right gameplan to win a tournament.

Ethan: Scotland made it too easy: poor handling, soft shoulders, and non-existent defending made it an uphill battle from the first minute.

Better than previous games against Ireland but alas the same result after nine years. It should have been closer but arguably Scotland never looked like they would nor deserved to take it. Lee Radford's worst game as defence coach but give him and Townsend the summer to build on this campaign before looking at an autumnal alternative.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hooker Ewan Ashman says Scotland failed to meet the high standards they had set in beating France as they fell to a 12th successive defeat by Ireland in Dublin.

The Scots' hopes of a first Triple Crown since 1990, and potentially a first title since 1999, were dashed in all too familiar fashion as they were overpowered by a ferociously physical Irish side, going down 43-21.

It means a third place finish in the championship for Gregor Townsend's side.

"I think we just have to look at ourselves because we didn't put our best version of ourselves out there," Ashman said.

"We've had a couple of better performances than that in the Six Nations and we didn't replicate that standard today. We just have to look at ourselves and why we made those out-of-character errors.

"It was a tough start [with defeat] in Italy, that weather and that result. The way the boys got round each other and kept the circle small and had some really good results. I was massively proud of the way that we bounced back.

"This is just the start for us. We didn't finish how we wanted to and that was disappointing. You've seen glimpses of it and we just need to keep building on this."

Image source, SNS

Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu: "I'm gutted. We really set our sights on coming here and getting a result, but Ireland were too good today.

"[Collisions] are where it was won and lost. I'm proud of the way we stuck in it, but we can't make the errors we did.

"I think we've made progression, but we want to be where these guys are with a trophy.

"We were physically prepared, it's on us as players."

Ireland pulled away from Scotland in a pulsating Six Nations Triple Crown decider to keep their championship hopes alive and end the Scots' trophy dreams.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the match via this link

Image source, SNS

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: "Hugely disappointed.

"We knew we had an opportunity to play a high level of rugby and we didn't do it enough.

"I know a huge effort went in. In such a physical match, that's great to see, but we needed to be more accurate.

"We were a bit passive in attack at times and we didn't get our spacing right in defence.

"They are a very good side and they have a good record against most teams in the world.

"Some elements of today were a really high level. We'll work out how we need to play better in other parts of the game.

"This is one of the toughest places to play in world rugby and their attack was excellent today."

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Image source, SNS

• Scotland are aiming for a first win in Dublin since 2010 and only their second ever away victory against Ireland in the Six Nations era.

• No Scottish side - Scotland, Glasgow Warriors or Edinburgh - have won at the current Aviva Stadium since it was built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road ground in 2010. Scotland's victory that year was at Gaelic sports stadium Croke Park.

• If they manage to win, Scotland will secure the Triple Crown (beating England, Wales, and Ireland) for the first time since 1990.

• It would also be the first time Scotland have won four matches in the Six Nations.

• Victory, and a slip up from France against England, would give Scotland a first Six Nations title, having last won the Five Nations in 1999.

• However, Ireland have defeated Scotland 11 times in a row and another victory would break the record of consecutive wins in this fixture (both nations have managed 11 in a row).

• An Irish victory would also equal a record run of nine consecutive wins in the Six Nations in this fixture and secure a ninth Triple Crown since 2000 and fourth in the last five years.

• Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is six points away from reaching 500 for his country, a feat achieved only by Chris Paterson, Greig Laidlaw, and Gavin Hastings before him in the men's game

We asked for your opinions on title-chasing Scotland's team selection and chances of beating Ireland on Super Saturday in the Six Nations.

Here's what some of you said:

Dennis: Delighted to see Kyle Rowe get a chance. He performs week in week out for Glasgow and should have been given a chance before Blair Kinghorn given current form.

Ethan: I'd have picked Josh Bayliss in the second row ahead of Max Williamson. Not his natural position but he's been playing really well and has done a job at lock for Bath. Closest like for like for Gregor Brown of available players.

Kev: Looking forward to this. Slightly nervous about the Irish's ability to stifle the 13 channel, but if we can play with tempo like we did against France and keep the proverbial foot on the throat, we have a shout. Staying switched on, minimising JGP's [Jamison Gibson-Park] involvement and keeping the penalty count low will go a long way to allowing our backs to play. The forwards have to play as if it's the last game of their lives. Can't wait (and come on England).

Graeme: Two big calls, Williamson in the second row and the 5/3 split on the bench.

Frazer: Delighted, and slightly amazed, that Jack Dempsey is fit again! Thought he was carrying his arm at the end of the France game. Also expected a 6-2 split, Rowe coming is a classic Toony flip.

Ben: Strong backline but worried about the pack's relative quality. How many of the pack would start in the Irish pack? Rory Darge and both props is all I can think of based off this Championship's form.

Ewan: Not quite understanding the Bayliss decision or why he is not holding Zander Fagerson back for the second half. If it works he'll be a genius, if not questions will likely be asked.

Our man Andy Burke explains the permutations as Scotland attempt to win the Six Nations title and Triple Crown in Ireland on Super Saturday.

Image source, SNS

Back-rower Liam McConnell returns from injury to start for Edinburgh in their rescheduled URC match at home to Ulster on Friday night.

The 21-year-old had to withdraw from Scotland's Six Nations squad after sustaining a rib problem in January, but he is fit enough to be restored to Sean Everitt's XV.

Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman, Grant Gilchrist, Darcy Graham, Freddy Douglas, Magnus Bradbury and D'Arcy Rae are all unavailable as they are on international duty, while Duhan van der Merwe is injured.

The Ulster match was initially scheduled to take place in early October but was postponed because of Storm Amy.

Twelfth-place Edinburgh are seven points adrift of the top eight and head coach Everitt said: "Ulster have been impressive this season and they'll come here and be confident that they can put a performance together.

"They've been dangerous on attack and we're going to have to play very well to beat them."

Tom English and Andy Burke discuss Gregor Townsend's team selection and Scotland's prospects of a famous win in Dublin where they could be crowned Six Nations champions.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after naming his Scotland side to face Ireland in their final Six Nations game.

Here are the main points:

• Townsend says Scotland have "not talked about" the chance to win the title this weekend, adding "it's the final opportunity for this group to go out and play".

• He insists "the belief is there" despite a poor record against Ireland but knows playing away from home in such a high-stakes game is "a big challenge in itself".

• He adds: "Ireland seem to play very well against us so that's what we're expecting."

• Townsend is impressed with how the players have responded to "momentum swings" in games throughout the Six Nations campaign, adding that was "one big area" they wanted to improve upon following the Autumn Tests.

• The Scotland coach stresses "it's not a final, it's not a cup final, there's not just two teams in this Championship". But he adds: "It's the last game of the tournament so we'll leave everything out there."

• It's been 16 years since Scotland last beat Ireland in Dublin but Townsend says "we don't talk about that. The players know if they put that effort in and they match the physicality, then you'll get your rewards."

• Townsend insists he has not thought about leading Scotland to a first Six Nations title: "No. It's out of our hands really. We can only do a certain amount. It's a game for us to play against an opponent that's had the upper hand on us for years."

• The Scotland boss hopes his team can play with a bit of pressure off knowing their title fate is out of their hands, adding "that's how we've gone into each game".

• The Scotland boss also wouldn't be drawn on the prospect of completing the Triple Crown with a win against Ireland but admits it "would be great to finish the championship with a win and finish on a high".

• Scotland "haven't spent too much time" looking at Ireland, with Townsend admitting he has been "guilty" of over-analysing them in the past.

• On team selection, Townsend says Max Williamson will be "determined to play his best rugby" after struggling against Wales.

• Magnus Bradbury "brings us that front-foot ball carry" while Kyle Rowe has been impressing in training. Freddy Douglas and Josh Bayliss are "unlucky to miss out".