The ‘TNT moments’ driving Ireland’s history bid

Ronan O’Gara, the legend of Ireland, thinks that the team’s quest for a third consecutive Six Nations title is being driven by the environment created by the players and coaches.

Ireland are the only team still hoping to win the 2025 edition of the championship with a 32-18 victory over Scotland on Sunday, winning 18 of their previous 20 games.

“There’s no real mystery or surprise as to why Ireland are doing well, because when you break down their game, they’re strong in an awful lot of aspects”, the La Rochelle head coach told BBC Sport in Murrayfield.

“But what’s underappreciated is, we see Scotland with the ball in the wide channels when they go pass, pass, pass, but then they get counter rucked.

” So many teams don’t go after those but for Ireland there’s no dead moments.

After half an hour, Ireland had a 17-0 lead and always felt in charge despite having almost twice as many tackles as their foes (169 vs. 90) and having to spend more time with the ball than they did with it.

O’Gara cited the impressive Irish work-rate of forwards Finlay Bealham (14) and Josh van der Flier (19), Caelan Doris (17), Andrew Porter (16), and Andrew Porter (16) as examples.

“They’re pushing each other. I don’t think today was a competition against Scotland, it was more among themselves”, he added.

“Four of the five top tackle&nbsp, performers were in green. Really they didn’t have to do that, because Scotland with the ball weren’t that&nbsp, much of a threat.

Speaking before kick-off in Edinburgh, the 128-times capped Irish fly-half spoke about how difficult it is to win away from home in the Six Nations.

He came away, however, believing Ireland could have won the game by even more despite having” another couple of gears to go”.

He said, “If you’re looking for a formula for how to go away and win in the Six Nations, I think you should study that.”

” It was ruthless from minute one – total domination. Scotland didn’t get any in.

“Normally in a Test match, the lead changes hands a couple of times and it’s in the balance.

The outcome was “the biggest surprise” to me, 32-18. I thought it was a 40-point victory, and I believe Ireland still has a few options if they need to.

In between visits to Wales and Italy, O’Gara believes there is “definitely a Grand Slam” there for his old side, but he sees Les Bleus’ visit to Dublin as the biggest potential stumbling block.

” There’s one game that jumps out, “he added.

” In terms of player ability, France have the capacity to beat Ireland in Dublin.