Andy Farrell: Ireland’s display of character in Scotland’s Six Nations win ‘the best I’ve ever been involved in’ | Rugby Union News

Eire head coach Andy Farrell mentioned his gamers’ show of “character and combating spirit” of their damage victory over Scotland within the fourth spherical of the Six Nations at Murrayfield was ” the perfect wherein I’ve ever participated”; Eire confronted the lack of 5 gamers to win 22-7

Andy Farrell has praised the character of his Grand Slam-seeking Irish facet after overcoming the lack of 5 gamers to damage en path to a hard-fought 22-7 win over Scotland.

The Irish needed to change Dan Sheehan, Caelan Doris and Iain Henderson within the opening 24 minutes at Murrayfield, then discovered themselves taking part in the ultimate half hour with out a acknowledged hooker after Ronan Kelleher – who had taken over for Sheehan within the first half -time – be gone. firstly of the second half, leaving prop Cian Healy to fill in for the hooker.

The Irish suffered additional within the closing levels when Garry Ringrose – on his fiftieth cap – was taken out on a stretcher sporting an oxygen masks after sustaining a head damage. By then the Irish have been heading in the right direction for an important win after tries from Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Jack Conan canceled out Huw Jones’ rating for the Scots.

“It was large, the character,” Farrell mentioned. “Clearly it wasn’t champagne rugby, however when it comes to character, battle and need for one another, it is the perfect sport I’ve ever been in.

“When you had seen us at half-time, you’ll have laughed. The entire workforce was laughing as a result of it was organized chaos.

“We did not know what was happening till the final second, whether or not Ronan was coming again or not and we made a half-plan with Cian.

“It was deserved for somebody like Garry at his fiftieth cap that we have been in a position to put in a particular efficiency in opposition to all of the controversy.”

Mack Hansen scored considered one of Eire’s three tries within the win, with Farrell admitting the gamers have been laughing at half-time, such was the absurdity of their scenario.

Farrell will assess his injured gamers this week, though he had constructive information on Ringrose.

“I used to be texting his mother and pop over there as a result of they’re very apprehensive,” he mentioned. “There have been safety checks and precautions there round his neck, however he was up and speaking, so hopefully he’ll be okay.”

Victory in Edinburgh provides Eire the possibility to say their first Grand Slam in 5 years in the event that they beat England in Dublin on Saturday.

“That is what goals are fabricated from. To face England at dwelling final weekend, St Paddy’s weekend, for a Grand Slam, it does not get any higher than that,” Farrell mentioned.

“We’ll have a number of days off to recuperate our legs, then we’ll have a success or two, work out our plan and ensure we’re in the appropriate house to coach.”

Eire are only one win away – in opposition to England subsequent weekend – from securing a fourth Grand Slam

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was annoyed with the best way his workforce let issues slip away within the second half after trailing by only one level on the interval.

“I am very disillusioned with this second half,” he mentioned. “The primary half was an excellent take a look at match – an excellent take a look at match that went from begin to end. I felt we have been on it.

“The gamers have been a bit deflated, they weren’t main at half time, but it surely occurs. We managed to forestall Eire from scoring a number of occasions within the first half and some occasions they stopped us.

Huw Jones scored Scotland’s solely strive of the day, with head coach Gregor Townsend ‘very disillusioned’

“It is simply disappointing that the second half wasn’t as aggressive or that we had the identical degree of power and Eire took the lead. We continued the sport, perhaps we needed to, perhaps it was too early to proceed the sport, however we weren’t proud of that final 15-minute efficiency.”

Scotland misplaced Richie Grey to damage after simply six minutes, whereas key duo Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg, who received their a hundredth cap, each picked up accidents within the last quarter. All three face checks to evaluate their availability for Saturday’s dwelling sport in opposition to Italy.

“Richie appears fantastic, it was a busted rib however we can’t know till he is had a CT scan or X-ray,” Townsend mentioned. “Finn had a knee damage and Hoggy had an ankle damage. Each could have scans or X-rays to see if something will rule them out subsequent week.”