Ireland looked to get a second win of their 2021 Guinness Six Nations campaign when they travelled to Murrayfield to take on Scotland on Sunday.
Ireland started the match off in good stead, with an early try in the opening minutes off a creative kick and a fortuitous bounce for Robbie Henshaw.
From there though, Andy Farrell's men fell back into their old habits, which many supporters feel is a relic of the final days of Joe Schidt's time at the helm.
Whatever the final score here, it's getting horribly frustrating to watch Ireland playing a game that's stagnated since early in Schmidt's final year. So utterly predictable. We have the players - it's on Farrell #SCOvIRE
— Eoghan Sweeney (@buileshuibhne) March 14, 2021
Ireland were in control for much of the match, though, particularly in the lineout where James Ryan and Iain Henderson disrupted the Scottish ball.
Prior to kickoff, Scotland had only lost two lineouts in the championship, however the efforts of Ryan and Henderson ensured that they were not able to use their lineout as an attacking platform.
If you can’t win your lineouts you won’t win the game #SCOvIRE #SixNations
— David Jack (@DJack_Journo) March 14, 2021
One of the highlights of the first half was undoubtedly Tadhg Furlong's fancy footwork on attack, as he sidestepped Finn Russell before releasing a good offload to continue the attack.
The Furlong shuffle! #anklebreaker #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/MaHt9Ca3Gk
— Danielle (Nolli) Waterman (@nolli15) March 14, 2021
Ireland went onto the half with a narrow lead, although both sides were fortunate to be awarded a few of their scores. The referees were highlighted by some fans, though, for their ability to get in the right areas on the pitch.
Fair play to Romain Poite. Closer to the action than any TMO can get! #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/Q6zy6OyuBB
— Mark Tighe (@MarkLTighe) March 14, 2021
Ireland eventually built up a 14-point lead and looked to be in control heading into the final 20 minutes of the match. Despite this lead, Scotland managed to claw their way back in it to level the scores with seven minutes left of the match.
In particular, Huw Jones' try after a breakaway from Stuart Hogg drew the eye of Irish fans, as comparisons were made between Hugo Keenan and James Lowe's defence and that of Irish legend Rob Kearney.
Dave Kearney wouldn’t have missed that tackle #SCOvIRE
— Karl Brophy (@KarlBrophy) March 14, 2021
Ultimately, with scores level in the final five minutes, Johnny Sexton stepped up with ice in his veins to score the match-winning penalty for Ireland.
Not pretty but who cares? Pressure kick from Sexton 🙌🏼 job done @IrishRugby #SCOvIRE #GuinnessSixNations
— Tulsen Tollett (@TulsenTollett) March 14, 2021
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