Scotland are aiming to end years of frustration as they face Ireland. After decades of isolated wins and watching Ireland and Wales win championships, their chance has finally arrived. Gregor Townsend, in his ninth Six Nations, has led them to their most significant championship game since 1999.
A Triple Crown Beckons
Silverware is on the line in the shape of a Triple Crown. Maybe a championship, too, but that’s more complicated. France are still the hot favourites to clinch it despite what Scotland did to them last weekend.
The Triple Crown doesn’t mean as much as it used to, not to the nations who are used to winning it. To Scotland, it would be rugby paradise. They have been desperate to reach the promised land.
Saturday in Dublin is about so many things. It’s about an end to 11 defeats in a row against Ireland, a fourth win in the championship for the first time, a second-place finish also for the first time, a first Triple Crown since 1990 and what would only be a third since 1938. Ireland have won eight in the Six Nations era alone.
Scotland’s Journey to Contention
Scotland have not won a title since the 1999 Five Nations.
Scotland found misery in the monsoon at the Olimpico. From there to here has been a wild ride. In Rome, they showed a weak mentality, a dominated scrum, a broken lineout, a defeated demeanour, and an endgame of 29 forlorn phases in the rain.
Then, England: 17-0 after 14 minutes. Finn Russell’s genius, Huw Jones’ opportunism, Matt Fagerson’s charge down, Kyle Steyn’s relentless class helped turn things around. It resulted in a bonus-point win and momentum.
In Wales, a bigger test in a maelstrom was passed. Scotland would not have come back from 20-5 down in a game of that intensity in years gone by.
France Overrun
Before the deluge of Scottish tries there was another examination of Scotland’s resolve. France led 14-7 and were beginning to go through the gears.
Scotland ran them off the road. Forty unanswered points was a jaw-dropping illustration of how viciously brilliant they can be, which has never been in question, but also their power and their ability to keep going.
Scotland have been to hell and back to be contenders.