Irish pack overwhelms Scots

THE Ireland under-21 team not alone preserved their 100 per cent record against Scotland at the Watsonians ground, Myreside yesterday, but in doing so ran up a record points total, overwhelming the Scottish youngsters.

Through the years Irish Under-21 sides have given some excellent performances, and this one is worthy to be set beside the very best. At the end of a match, played in a very cold wind that blew straight, down the field, the Irish players were given a standing ovation by the crowd of around 5,000. It was a fitting and well deserved accolade for the Irish players whose performance most certainly pleased not alone the spectators in general but one very special one in particular - newly appointed Ireland national coach Brian Ashton.

The Irish youngsters played with the wind in the first half and, while they took some time to settle, built an 11-0 lead by the break, though given the prevailing conditions it did not look enough.

Two penalties from outside-half Ronan O'Gara, a try from fullback Girvan Dempsey, set up by a superb long pass from O'Gara, were the means by which Ireland constructed their advantage.

Initially the Scots held the edge in the line out, but after Ireland moved Leo Cullen up to four in the line, that advantage was cut down. But it was in the second half, into the wind, that the team showed its true quality.

"The second half performance was excellent," said coach Eddie O'Sullivan. "We just could not have asked for better," a tribute that was thoroughly earned.

The pack took complete control: their rucking, driving and mauling were as technically proficient as they were effective. As a unit they completely outplayed the Scots, and in mentioning the displays in particular of Barry McConnell, and a magnificent back row of Cullen, Simon Easterby and David Wallace, it is not to devalue the collective effort.

The pack exercised total control and they got the most able support from the backs, with Stephen Bell and O'Gara excellent in their reading of the game and their response to those in front. It was, to use current terminology, total rugby.

Four times the Irish scored tries in the second period, and while O'Gara Was unable to convert any, that was because all the kicks were from wide out into that very strong wind. Sheldon Coulter scored a try after just three minutes in the second half. When Guy Easterby added another in the 57th minute, the Scots challenge was totally broken.

Bell stretched Ireland's lead to 26 points when he scored a try in the 63rd minute, and replacement Emmet O'Farrell added another just before the end. The Scots just could not put any pressure on the Irish boys as their pack was completely outplayed. Only once in that second period was the Irish line in any danger and it was rapidly averted.