The XV of Clover struggled to defeat the Scots (17-13) on Saturday in Dublin, but they are the first team, since England in 2016-2017, to sign the double in the Six Nations Tournament.
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The victory of the XV of Ireland, Saturday March 16, against Scotland will have been a reflection of the Guinness national: harsh and rough. But it will ultimately flow freely in the streets of Dublin to celebrate Clover’s victory in the 2024 Six Nations Tournament (17-13). The Men in Green only needed one win, no matter the score, to retain their title. Even if the XV de la Rose deprived them of the Grand Slam by winning in London last week, Peter O’Mahony’s partners managed to force the Chardon to sign a sixth coronation since the Tournament increased to six teams.
It still works but not as well. As if the English had broken the Irish toy last week. Surprised by the XV de la Rose when it seemed to be working in the Tournament, Ireland clearly took a little hit behind the coffee maker. Otherwise, how can we explain these hesitations, these dropped balls, these missed tackles. Certainly, the machine is so well oiled that its main cogs still work. But it turns slower, less forcefully.
Fatal disagreement
Scotland, surprisingly strong, were of course no strangers to this pale green first period. Finally, the Chardon XV only made one big mistake during these first 40 minutes when, on a touch in its favor, a fatal disagreement between its thrower and its jumper benefited Dan Sheehan who swallowed the offering to go and nestle it in the Scottish goal (13th, 3-7).
Day 5: Ireland scores their first try with Dan Sheehan
Player Dan Sheehan took advantage of an opportunity given by the Scots to rush in and give Ireland the first try. Jack Crowley converted the try. Ireland leads 7 to 3.
Apart from this flower, the Thistle rather presented its thorns in defense, sliding perfectly on each Irish blade, and relying on the boot of Russell to stay in contact at the break (7-6). Economizing on men in the rucks, they never found themselves outnumbered against James Lowe and his team. Faced with such a fortress, the XV of Clover decided to return to its good old recipes of yesteryear: warm ball and pick and go galore. The ancestral method almost proved its worth in the 48th minute but Tadhg Furlong’s strong try was ultimately refused.
Obtuse but rewarded
Opposite, although it defended well, Scotland had the worst difficulty in the world to exist offensively. Finn Russell deprived of precious tenths of a second to exercise his magic, Duhan Van der Merwe watched like Irish coffee on fire, the Chardon XV had only their courage, ultimately, to oppose. A courage which often bordered on heroism, as in this hand under the ball which prevented the try which Ireland thought, finally, to have scored (63rd).
Day 5: Ireland – Scotland summary
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But the Irishman was stubborn and, a few moments later, he did it again. And this time Andrew Porter slipped through the cracks to finally free his family and the Aviva Stadium (17-6, 65th). The latter was able to shout his joy at the idea of a title which would be retained, but a joy veiled by the transformed try from Huw Jones two minutes from the end (17-13, 78th). The liberation, at the final whistle, was all the more beautiful.