‘Excitement, nerves and edge’ for Ireland in build-up

Considering they started the Six Nations with a humbling 36-14 defeat by France in Paris, Ireland have done well to remain in the title hunt going into a fascinating climactic weekend.

After losing to Les Bleus for the second year in a row, Ireland bounced back to beat Italy in Dublin, although their celebrations were muted after they failed to secure a bonus point.

In the 42-21 away win over England, Ireland were at their devastating best in a performance that restored belief in the team’s potential.

And while last week’s victory over Wales wasn’t quite as seismic, it leaves Andy Farrell’s side facing into a Super Saturday Triple Crown shootout with Scotland (14:10 GMT), who also enter the final weekend with hope of pipping France to the championship.

Scotland have not won the Triple Crown since 1990 and last lifted the title in the final year of the Five Nations in 1999.

To end both droughts, they must beat Ireland in Dublin for the first time since 2010 and snap an 11-match losing sequence against their rivals that includes two World Cup games.

“It’s class,” Ireland attack coach Andrew Goodman said when asked about there being a “cup final” feel to this week’s build-up.

“You come back into training together on Sunday night, Monday morning and you can feel the edge around the place. It’s a nice feeling. It’s where we want to be.

Having seen his own vision for the Ireland attack thrillingly realised at Twickenham, Goodman was left purring by the Scots’ stunning destruction of the French at Murrayfield last week.

After falling 14-7 behind, Scotland scored 40 unanswered points to record a famous 50-40 win – their third successive victory after an opening loss to Italy – and remain firmly in the hunt for silverware.

“It was good to watch,” Goodman said of the Scottish attack, which has scored 17 tries in this year’s championship.

“As a rugby fan I enjoyed watching the game. 50-40, what a score! There was plenty going on. I thought they did a great job in terms of the attack, getting the ball to space and expressing themselves.

While New Zealand-born Goodman stated it would be hard for him to say whether or not this is the best Scotland team he has seen, he said: “From listening to what they’re saying as a group, their belief is as high as it’s ever been, according to everything that’s coming out of the group and so it should be.

“The way they’ve performed over the last three weeks has been good rugby so I’m sure it’d be up there with one of the better teams that have travelled to these shores.”

Goodman also called on the Ireland fans to replicate the noise they created at Twickenham when Scotland come to Dublin.

“It was great to be outside in an arena like that, that was my first time. What an amazing stadium and to hear the Irish supporters there was just incredible.

“I’d never had that away feel of the game before to hear the singing from the Irish supporters.