The Irish are one win away from a Grand Slam within the Six Nations.
By outlasting Scotland 22-7 at Murrayfield on Sunday, Eire earned a fourth straight victory within the championship to maneuver onto 19 factors, simply 4 greater than defending champion France.
The French are the one workforce able to stopping Andy Farrell’s relentless squad from claiming their first Six Nations title since 2018. That will require Eire shedding at fortress Lansdowne Street to visiting England in addition to France beating Wales in a match which takes place just a few hours earlier subsequent Saturday.
England is coming off a document 53-10 loss to France in Spherical 4.
Scotland’s twelfth loss in its final 13 conferences with Eire ended the hosts’ title problem, although the consequence was within the steadiness at halftime with the Irish solely main 8-7 because of Mack Hansen squeezing over for a attempt in the fitting nook within the twenty eighth minute.
Eire confirmed its expertise and sophistication within the second half, with two quick-fire tries across the hour mark killing off the hopes of the Scots, who did not handle to attain a degree after the break.
“At halftime, we mentioned that is the place we need to be," Hansen mentioned. “We thought we’d flip it on within the second half.”
After Hansen took an up-and-under on the fitting flank, the ball was recycled to the left and, after a collection of phases, Jamison Gibson-Park’s miss-pass discovered winger James Lowe, who barged by means of a problem to floor within the nook within the 57th.
5 minutes later, Hansen additionally performed a key function in Eire’s third attempt by sending in substitute Jack Conan alongside the fitting touchline. The back-row ahead had the large determine of Duhan van der Merwe to carry off, however he did and received over the road.
Yet another attempt was wanted to say a fourth straight bonus-point win this event and it practically arrived after a length-of-the-field transfer. It ended with flanker James Ryan tackled about 5 meters out and his offload simply evading Lowe.
Eire centre Garry Ringrose will certainly not be taking part in in opposition to England subsequent weekend after showing to lose consciousness making a deal with with round 10 minutes remaining.
After a prolonged interval of remedy, he was carried off on a stretcher to applause across the floor.
Eire additionally misplaced forwards Caelan Doris, Dan Sheehan and Iain Henderson to harm within the opening 25 minutes of a bruising sport.
“We knew this was going to be our hardest sport of the 12 months," Hansen mentioned. “To be truthful to the Scottish lads, they confirmed up — it was such a tricky check match.”
Eire captain Jonathan Sexton could not wait till subsequent weekend.
“We’ll be taking part in in opposition to an English workforce which are hurting and one which now we have enormous respect for," he mentioned. “The Irish folks will get behind us subsequent week. We’re wanting ahead to that.”
The final of Eire’s three Grand Slams within the championship was in 2018.
For Scotland, it was back-to-back defeats after beginning the event with wins over England and Wales. Italy is the customer in Spherical 5.
“Simply frustration that we didn’t put our sport on the market,” Scotland coach Gregor Townsend mentioned.
“What we wished right now was a whole, 80-minute efficiency. We solely received it for 40. We all know we’ll must play nicely subsequent week. Italy comes right here with nothing to lose.”
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