Ireland now know they need to lean on others if they are to defend their Six Nations title. They finish their campaign in Cardiff and will require England to stumble in the Welsh capital a week on Saturday.
The champions recovered from their chastening defeat by England by going back to basics to end Scotland’s run of six successive home victories in the championship and put themselves back in contention. But, with England finishing their campaign with home games against Italy and Scotland – two sides who have not won at Twickenham in the Six Nations era – Ireland need Wales to beat the men in white in the tournament for the first time since 2013 if Joe Schmidt is to achieve a fourth and final title in his six years as head coach.
“We are relying on others, but when it comes to next week [in Italy a week on Sunday] and the final two rounds we don’t have to rely on them for how we approach things and how we perform,” he said. “There was a rise in temperature and energy against Scotland from the England game and our defence was excellent.”
Greig Laidlaw lambasts referee Romain Poite after Stuart Hogg is injured
Ireland led 12-10 at half-time despite spending much of the first half in their 22. They restricted Scotland to an interception try and conjured two tries of their own, the second coming from Schmidt’s set-piece playbook with Jonathan Sexton committing the defence and freeing the wing Jacob Stockdale on halfway. It was almost the fly-half’s final act before leaving the field with ankle and head injuries.
“It was an improvement after England but we can still play better,” said the Ireland captain, Rory Best. “We knew that if we lost we would be dead and buried because teams do not come back from two opening defeats, but we need to be more fluid and play more rugby.
“What was important was to get the win and while we have to rely on other teams we are back in there. We took a step forward mentally and physically from last week.”
Schmidt is confident that Sexton will not be out for long, although the 33-year-old has had concussion problems in the past and may be given an extended break by missing out on the trip to Rome, allowing a month’s rest before the home match against France.
Sexton stood flat throughout his 23 minutes on the field, committing tacklers before passing the ball and was dumped on his back time and again. Some of the challenges tested the tolerance threshold of Romain Poite, though the referee angered Scotland by not reviewing a challenge on Stuart Hogg that left the full-back with an injured shoulder when the home side were leading 3-0.
Ireland outmuscle Scotland and storm to precious away victory
Hogg was chasing his kick ahead when Peter O’Mahony appeared to lead with his shoulder and impede him, bumping into Best on his way to the ground. Two minutes later Ireland scored their first try and took a lead they were not to lose. The Scotland head coach, Gregor Townsend, felt his side should have been awarded a penalty but does not expect the citing officer to review the incident.
Scotland remain ahead of Ireland in the table but with trips to Paris and Twickenham to come – grounds where they last won in the Five Nations era – Townsend does not see his side as title contenders. “We would have to do something pretty special for that to happen,” he said. “We pushed a good team all the way but we can play better.”