Ireland need ‘big performance’ to beat Scotland

Ireland flanker Josh van der Flier said his side’s recent wins over Scotland have all come when they have “played particularly well”.

Ireland have won their past eight Six Nations games against Scotland, including a 32-18 win at Murrayfield last year and another victory over Gregor Townsend’s in-form side will see the Irish retain the Triple Crown.

But Van der Flier is wary of the threat Scotland pose going forward, especially after their thrilling 50-40 win over France last weekend and stressed Ireland’s need to nullify their attacking talent.

“Scotland are playing brilliant stuff, but when we’ve done well, we’ve put in a pretty good all round performance,” he said.

“I can’t think of us beating Scotland when we haven’t played well, so it will take a big performance.

“[Last year] we had a fast start and were pretty physical, we were good on the contact side of things and nullifying what they do well is critical. Finn Russell runs the game very well, so [we need to be] trying to minimise their effectiveness and front up when we have the ball, as well as in defence.

“The big things with any of these Test matches is whoever wins the physical battle tends to stand a pretty good chance.

Van der Flier has started two games in the Six Nations this year, the opening day defeat by France and the famous win away win over England.

He was dropped from the squad for the victory against Italy and came off the bench in the win over Wales at the weekend.

The 2022 World Rugby Player of the Year says he has had to adapt to not playing every game for his country.

“I always want to start every game, that’s how you want to do it but for the team and development of the team, a lot of lads are playing well,” he added.

“Nick Timoney has been playing brilliant stuff, so aside from myself, it’s great to see him starting and playing really good stuff, the back row has been brilliant throughout, it’s a very competitive place.

“From my perspective, I don’t mind being on the bench, it’s a different role to starting, but it drives you on to start.”

The 32-year-old spoke of how a recent conversation with Ireland and Leinster team-mate Garry Ringrose reshaped his view of the importance of players making an impact off the bench.

“He was saying about Jacques Nienaber at Leinster, at how the South Africans look at the bench and in basketball, it’s who you have on the pitch at the end of the game, so I know he [Jacques] would see it that way as well,” Van der Flier explained.

“It’s a big role off the bench, it’s a privilege to more than likely be on the pitch at the end of the game.