'No second chance' for Ireland in Six Nations finale

ByMatt Gault

BBC Sport NI senior journalist

When they left Paris five weeks ago, tails between legs after a 36-14 drubbing by France, few could have predicted that Ireland would enter Super Saturday with a chance of winning silverware.

But in a tournament full of seismic shocks and double-take scorelines, they have managed to remain a factor going into this weekend's crescendo.

Scotland's journey to this point bears striking similarities.

Like Ireland, they started the campaign with a stinker, their 18-15 defeat by Italy at a rain-lashed Stadio Olimpico inviting fierce criticism of Gregor Townsend and his players.

But both teams have shown impressive resolve, delivered statement, narrative-shifting performances and even ground out wins when not at their best.

Ireland managed to hold off Italy and Wales at home either side of a record away win over England at Twickenham few saw coming after Paris.

Scotland, meanwhile, emerged from their post-Rome gloom to beat England, came from behind to edge out Wales and produced a display for the ages to put 50 points on France at Murrayfield last week.

It has left matters at the top fascinatingly poised for Saturday.

France remain in the driving seat (a bonus-point win over England will guarantee their second straight title), but the stakes will be high when the Celtic cousins collide in Dublin at 14:10 GMT.

For Scotland, the potential rewards are tantalising: a first Triple Crown since 1990, a first win over Ireland since 2017 and potentially a first title since the old Five Nations triumph of 1999.

Triple Crowns have been more plentiful for Ireland in recent years (they've won eight in the Six Nations era), but they have no designs on losing the edge in this rivalry 18 months out from another World Cup dust-up.

Much of Ireland's 11-win streak against Scotland has been built on fast starts and they have been a tough team to reel in at home in recent years. In fact, they are unbeaten in their past 30 Six Nations home games when leading at half-time.

Whether or not Ireland captain Caelan Doris knows that particular stat, he recognises the importance of not giving a confident Scottish unit oxygen early on after having seen how Townsend's side can tear into teams.

"There's no second chance here," said Doris.

"It's down to how we start the game, a fast start is going to be important again. [It's about] taking it moment by moment and really attacking the game and understanding the win is the most important thing.

"There are bonus points and different permutations that come into it, but how we start is going to be important."

He added: "There's obviously a Triple Crown at stake against our good old rivals Scotland, so there's a lot at stake and with that comes nerves and excitement."

On Friday, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu offered insight into his side's sense of togetherness when he said they have "been to hell and back together".

Their never-say-die attitude has certainly been evident in recent weeks. Written off after Rome, they galloped into a 17-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes against England and never looked back.

In Cardiff, they trailed for most of the game and still won 26-23. Even last week's masterful destruction of France only came about after they fell 14-7 behind.

Scotland scored seven tries against France and averaged 5.6 points per attacking 22 entry.

That is the highest rate of any team in a Six Nations match across the past five tournaments - and a stark indicator of what Ireland could face on Saturday.

"You saw last week the variety in attacking threats," observed Doris, who scored a try in Ireland's win at Murrayfield last year.

"They scored some tries off first-phase line-outs, they played up the middle, pick and goes, one-pass plays.

"They're capable of playing wide to wide with a lot of depth, Finn Russell changes direction. It's a varied attacking game and when they get it right it's very hard to stop."

For Ireland to win the title, they must beat Scotland and hope that England do them a favour against France.

But even if Andy Farrell's side miss out on the top prize, Doris is not downplaying the sense of accomplishment that would accompany a Triple Crown, which he feels would be a "big stepping stone" for his side.

"I think there's been some good progression through the tournament and there's a good feeling in the camp," he said.

"It [the Triple Crown] would further belief and I think it'd be something we'd look back on with positive feelings."

A first home loss to Scotland since a 23-20 reverse at Croke Park in 2010 would eliminate Ireland from the Triple Crown and championship equation.

France are the only team to have beaten Farrell's Ireland at the Aviva in the Six Nations, but rarely have Scotland arrived in Dublin in such buoyant mood - and it sets the stage for one of this 150-year-old rivalry's most anticipated chapters.