By Tadhg Peavoy at Carton House
Jamie Heaslip entered the mixed zone at Carton House visibly tired today after Ireland’s Grand Slam dream was crushed last Saturday in Cardiff.
And while it's always hard to tell the exact sentiments of players post defeat, one could sense an anger there and a desire to put things right this weekend against Scotland in round five.
As for how Ireland might play, Heaslip gave little away, pointing to secrecy as a key point in their game plan. But he did have plenty of praise for the Scots and the challenge they offer.
“I can’t tell you the game plan. That would give it away,” said Heaslip.
“But we’ve analysed Scotland and seen some threats.
“The pack are quite mobile, but pretty solid, with a back five that are a big unit.
“The core of the team are the Glasgow team and they seem to be directing the show very well.
“We have to respect that threat.”
As for the idea of Ireland chasing a cricket score to outdo Wales and England on points difference, like Rob Kearney yesterday, Heaslip dismissed this idea out of hand.
“You can’t focus on points difference. If you don’t win the game you’re stood there without anything in your hands,” said Heaslip.
“With a team like that, that can score off turnovers and their own launch, you just have to focus on moments.”
Ireland’s ten-match winning run is now over and they start from scratch again on Saturday. But the old cliche of learning from defeats has clearly been ringing in Heaslip’s ears these last few days at Carton House.
“We all know what losing a game is like. With Ireland there was a good period where we hadn’t lost a game. The simplicity of it is you don’t execute your own plays and you will lose a game,” said Heaslip.
“The eternal optimist that I am, you are always hearing phrases like ‘you learn more from losing than winning’.
“Sometimes you can brush over things more when you win. We don’t do that. But we looked at the reasons in black and white that compounded our errors and led to missed opportunities.
“We have to realise our errors and turn the page. We looked at defence this morning. A lot of lads will have watched the game Saturday night and all day Sunday and Monday. We would have parked that now and moved on.”
Scotland attack
Vern Cotter’s Scottish side have looked free flowing and flamboyant in attack all through this championship, and Heaslip and Co are well aware of the threat they pose on the front foot.
“They have a multitude of threats. They have that core Glasgow spine and that form has carried through into the international arena,” said Heaslip.
“And they have a good set-piece from which they can launch their big ball-carriers.
“That can give them quick momentum and get them into shape. Their half-backs direct play well, and the back five in the pack can mix up the work, they’ve a good ball-carrier and then off-the-ball guys who are abrasive in the ruck. They can punish you on turnover ball.”
In terms of the back-row battle, Heaslip feels that area of the game will be a tightly contested one.
“I wouldn't phrase it that we would better their back row,” said Heaslip.
“We're confident in our own ability. We would respect what they can do, sometimes one is better, sometimes it can be nullified. They can pick from a group of players so we need more video work to assess their threats.”
