Former Ulster coach Matt Williams has likened watching Ireland’s attack to watching paint dry following their 22-13 win over Scotland on Saturday.
Ireland bounced back from an opening round defeat to England with a spirited yet error filled win over Scotland with Joe Schmidt’s side running in three tries in a rebound win.
The victory gets Ireland’s Six Nations campaign back on track, and yet despite falling just one try short of a bonus point win, Williams feels that Ireland underwhelmed with ball in hand.
“Formula One car, they’re a formula one car, but they were in third gear,” said Williams on Virgin Media One’s post-match show.
“They tried their heart out and you never question the courage of this team, that’s not what anyone is talking about, or their commitment, but their attack was like watching paint dry.
“It was very boring and very one dimensional. If you’re Gregor Townsend [Scotland coach] you’re going ‘we blew that’.
“Scotland were poor as far as they defended very well but then they turned possession over so easily. There were three or four key errors in that second-half that let Ireland win that game but it’s a win, it’s going forward but not getting the bonus point win might be a very big miss.”
Former Leinster captain Shane Jennings thought that the performance was brilliant and believes that there were a number of players for Ireland who showed strong character in Edinburgh.
"I'd love for them to relax and enjoy a drink tonight, enjoy each other's company."
Shane Jennings is delighted with that Irish performance today. And hopes they use the gap week to wind down a bit.#SCOvIRE #VMTVRugby #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/DWCpT031hY
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 9, 2019
“I thought it was brilliant, genuinely,” added Jennings.
“A couple of minutes after a game and we’re being critical. I thought it was brilliant, genuinely. That was a tough week for those people in camp, what happened to them at home, I thought it was brilliant. They’re back.
“A big performance at the line-out went very well. People questioning Quinn Roux, 11 from 11 he went I think Alan Quinlan said on commentary, a big performance from Conor Murray, Keith Earls. I think they showed character as individuals.
“Stockdale, Sean O’Brien were good. Of course there is stuff they can improve on but I think they were quite nervous in attack because they probably went ‘you know what it didn’t work so let’s go route one’.
“Let’s not underestimate how difficult Murrayfield is to go to and the conditions. There was a clip on the camera were it looked like torrential rain. We probably don’t appreciate that as well. I just think it was brilliant.”
