Marvellous game, wonderful atmosphere, spectacular opening 30 minutes from Scotland, a centre scoring from a lineout, amazing comeback from Ireland, need I go on?
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| Dunbar's cheeky try for Scotland |
Luckily I was there, having given up my debenture at Twickenham, I decided to broaden horizons and head to Edinburgh with Doylie and Blakey, to catch up with Danny, an old buddy from Dublin. The day started well with first experience of tram service into town (I told you I have not been out much) and a swift trip to a tat shop on Princes Street to buy the compulsory "Jimmy Hat". We then had to wait for the Cafe Royal at end of Rose Street to open at 1100hrs, and Guinness frenzy commenced.
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| Cafe Royal: A beautiful place to be
Ireland weren't the only ones late to the ground, and having missed the anthems, we settled down to witness the best opening 30 minutes from a Scotland team since the 1999 side destroyed France in the Paris sun. The Scottish backs were ruthless in exploiting the space created by the back row's dominance at the breakdown - Wilson and Strauss have been described as journeymen, but, along with young Watson, they outmuscled and outsmarted their Irish counterparts. Hoggy got the ball over the line but the forwards won them the game. The Gray brothers were outstanding, whether carrying, tackling or stealing lineout ball, and young Fagerson played the full 80 mins against an experienced Irish front row.
The Irish looked shellshocked, not just at half time, 21-5 down, but also in that final 10 minutes, having got themselves back in front, only to concede two soft penalties to lose the match. Laidlaw is a class act, kicking everything, and then showing ice in the brain, by kicking for the Irish corner at the death, when a shot at goal seemed the obvious choice. No wonder VC keeps him on, despite Ali Price playing out of his skin for Glasgow, and desperate to show what he could do.
The Scots emerged from Murrayfield to face a beautiful sunset accompanying their walk back to the town, with a spring in their step and that strange, unusual feeling of having won a "tight" test match - no longer the bridesmaids! The Irish on the other hand were devastated, this was meant to be the first easy hurdle on the way to greeting England to a Grand Slam decider at the Aviva in March. Some blamed the ref, some blamed players like Heaslip and Kearney, only a few praised Scotland for bringing an uncharacteristic intensity for the full 80 minutes. They weren't even up for a gag from their Scottish pals about the "wooden spoon" - more wake than craic...
I like Ireland, they have raised the bar on attacking rugby in the Northern hemisphere, and deservedly beat the Kiwis in the Autumn. However, they don't need someone like ROG increasing the tension between the two teams with an ill advised comment before the game, about Scots being "mouthy" and "not being able to back it up". He did apologise afterwards, whilst eating humble pie, but surprised he is even aware of the recent Munster-Glasgow incident regarding targeting of Conor Murray, as he has followed the euro gravy train to French rugby and the Top 14. Anyway, here is his "silly kick" in 2013 in same fixture putting hs team under great pressure ... enjoy!
Edinburgh was jumping regardless, as the nation released the frustration and disappointment of losing to Australia in the World Cup QF (and may other heroic Scottish defeats). France next Sunday in Paris is another challenge altogether, but for one night at least the heavy flowed. |
