Scotland 'can build on Six Nations loss to Ireland'

Published on Monday 25 February 2008 09:30

Ireland 34 - 13 Scotland

DEFIANT Allan Jacobsen insists Scotland can build on a forceful start to their latest RBS Six Nations Championship match – even if that early fire was extinguished and the end result was another humbling defeatagainst Ireland at Croke Park.

"At the end of the day we will have to turn things around somehow, and that means getting straight down to work for the visit of England to Murrayfield on Saturday week.

"For the alternative is to let ourselves be dragged down by defeat in Dublin which is what will certainly happen if we dwell too long on what happened last time out.

"But at the very least we can look to develop the fact we fired a few shots this time, compared to against France and Wales – even if, ultimately, matters didn't go our way.

"We played more rugby, especially early on, than in the previous two matches this tournament.

"Also, by claiming three of Ireland's first four line-out throws we showed what can be done.

"So, there are positives in amongst the disappointments and what else is there but to work hard and develop from there?" said Jacobsen.

The prop forward stopped a long, long way short of claiming that, if Scotland were to click, then opposition somewhere down the line might suffer.

But the Edinburgh star does make the valid point that Scotland enjoyed periods when they monopolised possession, which is at least a start, with the next step more sustained pressure with extra incisiveness.

Then, he says, there is additionally the chance to savour the arrival on to the Test scene of young Edinburgh colleague Ross Rennie, whose debut at flanker was as a 45th minute sub.

"I feel proud to be part of an Edinburgh set-up helping, in some way, to produce players like Ross, who has just shown what tremendous potential he has.

"It was difficult for him coming on with us 19-6 down and, in those circumstances, I've seen newcomers fade into the background. Not Ross. Almost the first thing he did was floor (Lions captain) Brian O'Driscoll with a big tackle.

"Given he'll be all the better for that experience we were not entirely without pluses, though there were a lot of errors once again to cut out and nobody would deny that." According to the man they call "Chunk" the decisive moment came 36 seconds after half-time.

"The key score was Ireland's third try, by my opposite number Marcus Horan.

"It was a good piece of vision for Ronan O'Gara to pick him out with a cross kick which fell into Horan's hands as he waited unmarked out wide.

"But the damage was done earlier by ourselves" said Jacobsen.

That was a reference to how Scotland were unable to control the kick-off and compounded that mishap by failing to mop up O'Gara's initial towering kick in the heart of the defence.

It was a ricochet off Scottish shins when a pass failed to stick that proved the catalyst for the next Irish score which most certainly took the game out of reach though not without real controversy. Launching an immediate counter-attack, Ireland worked the ball wide through brilliant O'Gara handling for winger Tommy Bowe to be awarded a highly-contentious try.

The laws state that the tackled player may immediately reach out and ground the ball on or over the try-line, but it seemed Bowe's instinct after being decked by Mike Blair was to wriggle forward then stretch.

Jacobsen said|: "My feeling was that Mike had pulled off a good cover tackle.

"But there are so few double-movement decisions these days you know not to expect one in your favour – especially when you are in need of a break or two."

If that was a variation on how the fates always seem willing to kick those who are down, what matters more, according to Jacobsen, is the upcoming England visit on Saturday week.

"I've never had a win over England at any age group or senior level, and this would be a good place to start," he said.

"In many ways it doesn't do us any harm to have a fixture like England, with all its tradition, next.

"Equally, we'd be focused no matter who we play and what must be made to count is being back at Murrayfield after two away fixtures."

The message from Jacobsen – undoubtedly one of the few Scots to do better than gain pass marks – is that fan support in trying to emerge from a trough is vital.

While the determination to right wrongs, as outlined by Jacobsen, can surely be taken as read, what did it say about previous selections that coach Frank Hadden should give special mention afterwards to flanker Ally Strokosch?

"Alasdair Strokosch was tremendous, I thought," said Hadden.

"He really stepped up to the plate on his full debut and put in a tremendous shift."

For many, it has been apparent at least since the ex-Boroughmuir man won England's player of the month prize for December out of the Gloucester stable that he was a potential Six Nations star, yet for two matches he was snubbed.

Also, too many Scottish backs, in particular, are amassing high cap totals under Hadden without having delivered what could be termed a big game. Are Scotland going round in circles?

There is increasingly a case for making changes so as to produce the "fresh start" effect but, given that the pack appear closer to the finished article than for some time, it is probably worthwhile persevering for the two matches remaining to see whether game-breakers are out there.

Here, Phil Godman – normally a stand-off – undoubtedly has sufficient all-round skills to offer an experienced alternative at centre, while colleagues Ben Cairns and John Houston continue to progress in Edinburgh's midfield.

What's certain is that new faces must be found at least on a par with the introduction of Scott Macleod and Ally Strokosch, who did so much to introduce extra dynamism. This was evident from the start at Croke Park as the Scots moved their rivals around the field and asked the more pertinent questions.

Now what must be asked is why wasn't that pressure turned into points with a penalty being run rather the trusty boot of Chris Paterson putting points on the board.

Putting a fragile Ireland behind on the scoreboard could have ultimately been more rewarding than when opening the scoring against France and Wales.

While Blair was possibly deliberating on the worth of his impulsive actions, Ireland produced a double blow, as converted tries by David Wallace and Rob Kearney rained down on either side of a penalty by Paterson.

Although Paterson had the last word towards the end of an animated half with a further three pointer, there could have been more had Nathan Hines not conceded ground by going scrapping for the ball so that possession could be used quickly when a penalty had already been given to the Scots.

Such indiscipline is ill-advised at any time but amidst the current malaise it is particularly unacceptable and Hadden, whose task it is to nip these things in the bud, saw his side fall out of contention the moment Ronan O'Gara left them requiring three scores to lead by adding a penalty to Horan's try.

It was at 6-22 that Scotland rallied with Simon Webster's try converted by Paterson but all hope faded with the Bowe try, as confirmed by the video ref, while, for good measure, the Ulsterman completed a brace on full time.

Coach Hadden said: "Looking at the scoreboard at the end of the game was hard to bear. We put a lot of work into that game.

"We got ourselves some excellent territory, our fair share of possession and still we have crossed for one try. It is extremely disappointing considering we conceded one or two soft ones.

"Two line-outs in the opposition 22 came back to haunt us, giving away a stupid penalty on the opposition's line.

"I believe it's a sign of lack of composure of this maturing but still relatively immature side."

"In some ways it was a wee bit better than last time.

"We played with a little bit more rhythm but not enough to break through the Irish side. The difference between the teams was the cutting edge – they have taken their opportunities extremely well and we have lacked that cutting edge.

"It sounds ridiculous to say it's a step forward because the scoreboard doesn't lie but we felt progress was made.

"We felt preparations had gone better, there was a bit more understanding in the players about what we are trying to do."

Actually as a spectacle the game had plenty of flow. In fact, it was reminiscent in some ways to 1984 – except that back then it was Scotland who won, five tries to one.

Ireland then had an instant riposte by going on to lift the 1985 Triple Crown and championship. At the moment long odds are available against that type of history repeating itself, even if Scotland are again able to find their way to the try-line.

Crumbs of comfort, of course, but in the current state of Scottish international rugby even humble offerings are eagerly devoured.