Schmidt: Late arrival at Murrayfield upset Ireland

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt alluded to a pre-match mix-up timing wise as the reason behind his team’s poor first half against Scotland, which ultimately proved critical in their 27-22 Six Nations defeat at Murrayfield.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt alluded to a pre-match mix-up timing wise as the reason behind his team’s poor first half against Scotland, which ultimately proved critical in their 27-22 Six Nations defeat at Murrayfield.

The Scots raced to a 21-8 interval lead in the Scottish capital, which left Ireland with a mountain to climb, which they ultimately did to lead 22-21 withjust over a quarter an hour remaining, before proceeding to slip to defeat.

Immediately post-match Schmidt revealed his team’s late arival at the stadium had upset their pre-match build-up, saying: “We arrived at the stadium 15 minutes late and we were late for most things in the first half.

“We were well off our game and I think the Scottish attack really took advantage of that especially when they gave it some width,” said Schmidt.

“I thought we clawed our way back in the second half. I thought we shut down some of that attack. As mucy as we clawed our way back it was incredibly disappointing to let it slip at the end.

“We had some gilt-edged chances. Rob Kearney just put a foot in touch and Jamie Heaslip almost got to the line. It’s incrediby disapppointing, but I know that Vern Cotter and his lads will be delighted with that to start their campaign.”

Schmidt also pinpointed a passive defence and a lack of finishing ability in attack as the two keys to Ireland’s defeat.

“We were very passive and slow to get ourselves set and that was incredibly disappointing as it was something we worked very hard on,” said Schmidt. “It will be a tough refletion on Monday but we’re not out of the competition.

“We did get a point out of the game with the bonus-point system, and at least we got that. We got three tries as well and were only one away from getting one more and we did look like getting very close a couple of times.

As to why that defence was misfiring, Schmidt felt a combination of timing and changed personnel was to blame.

“We probably just missed our timing. You know we haven’t played for a long time and there’s a few changes in there as well since last time we played,” said Schmidt. “You’re always trying to bed things in as best you can in training but until you actually get to the match arena with that pressure that comes with it, with that very slow ball we were getting in the first half, it does make it very difficult.

“The priority now is to work towards a much better performance next week.”

Photo: Getty Images/Stu Forster

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