Letting it slip: Scores hit Robinson hard

ALL IN THE SCRUM:A rugby miscellany

THE OLD saying about the best time to score being straight after the opposition rang true on Saturday.

Greig Laidlaw’s 32nd minute penalty made it 10-9, but Scottish forwards were offside from the re-start. Jamie Heaslip’s quick tap saw Stephen Ferris then Cian Healy get close to the try line before Eoin Reddan scrambled over.

Richie Gray’s 37th-minute try made it a competitive 17-14 nearing the interval, but Jonathan Sexton switched the re-start and Tommy Bowe leaped to win possession.

After good yardage by Healy and Keith Earls, Andrew Trimble profited from a smart skip pass by Ferris.

“We cause a lot of our own problems,” said Andy Robinson, who seemed inconsolable afterwards.

Some classical conversation: Ref link gets its wires crossed

AFTER THE perceived slights inflicted on Ireland by referees Wayne Barnes (against Wales) and Dave Pearson (against Wales and France) saw even Declan Kidney's frustrations being voiced in the public domain, there was a real worry about Chris Pollock on Saturday.

However, the New Zealander sounded like he was in control throughout. We were listening (well, when the ref-link was working, that is).

Five minutes in (second scrum, speaking to the team captains who conveniently double up as the hookers): "It's going to be a long old day if we don't get this sorted out."

***

To Jamie Heaslip: "I don't want to see that again."

Heaslip: "What?"

Pollock: "You know exactly what I'm talking about."

***

Until the 50th minute the ref-link was blaring classical music or a muffled Pollock. It led to plenty of confusion for Tommy Bowe's non-try that was adjudged to be double movement by the TMO. Some guy came on to the pitch and fixed Pollock's device.

***

It got more entertaining after Rory Best's ribs were given a rest on 53 minutes.

Pollock: "Rory, Rory! Who's the captain?"

Best: "Eh (looks around and sees a man with 119 caps) Rog."

***

On 61 minutes the new captain approached Pollock as Lee Jones was being carted off the field.

Rog: "How we going on penalty count? I've been watching and a lot has gone against us."

Pollock: "Well, you guys are at a point where if it happens again at the breakdown one of you are going to the bin." Ireland coughed up 14 penalties to Scotland's 11.

***

Ross Ford on the sin-binning of Max Evans for tugging Keith Earls: "Oh, you are jokin'. You're gonna cost us the game!" (A little harsh by Ford as it was 25-14 with seven minutes remaining and Ireland were entrenched in Scottish territory).