Ireland centre Jared Payne says that while the 58-15 demolition of Italy was pleasing, he expects a far greater challenge from Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (5pm).
After an opening day draw with Wales, successive defeats on the road to France and England ended a bold bid for a third successive Six Nations title, but the nine-try win over the Azzurri last time out highlighted the potent attacking threat at Joe Schmidt’s disposal.
Jamie Heaslip’s first-half try, a move that started in the Irish 22 with Johnny Sexton, Simon Zebo, Keith Earls and Payne all involved, was one of the scores of the Championship and the Ulster player admitted that it was a move that was born on the training ground.
“It was something we had been working on during the week, to get in support of the ball carrier for breaks made, so it was pleasing to see that many people get involved and to finish it off it was awesome,” he told Irish Rugby TV.
"They’ve got some pretty classy outside backs that make a lot happen out of nothing really"
Schmidt has made just one change to the starting team, with the Munster flanker called in to replace Josh van der Flier, while his Scottish counterpart and former boss at Clermont Vern Cotter has selected out-half Duncan Weir, Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson for the final-day encounter.
Following last weekend's 29-18 win over France, their first home success over Les Bleus in a decade, the Scots are chasing a third successive victory and at least consolidate their current placing of third in the table.
Payne, who scored in last year's corresponding fixture at Murrayfield when Ireland claimed the title, admitted that Saturday’s opponents are unlikely to be as generous as the hapless Italians.
“I imagine we wouldn’t [have the same amount of space]. They are pretty good defensively, they make good reads on the edges, they get up and close things down," he said.
“Their forwards are big abrasive tacklers so I don’t think we’ll get that much space but if we do we’ll try and put a few opportunities away."
With Stuart Hogg showing the kind of form that puts him in a strong position to be considered the starting Lions full-back next summer, Scottish pair Duncan Taylor and Alex Dunbar posing more problems in midfield and Tim Visser and Tommy Seymour already on the scoresheet this campaign, the 30-year-old is acutely aware of what to expect from the dangerous backline.
“They’ve got some pretty classy outside backs that make a lot happen out of nothing really. We’re going to have to be on our toes defensively.
“The focus has been good. We’ve done the review on Italy, we learned from it and we’re looking forward to Scotland.”
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