It was an afternoon to forget for Joe Schmidt and Ireland.
A dozy first half was followed by half an hour of Irish pressure after the break but two late Scottish penalties guaranteed a 27-22 victory for the hosts at a bouncing Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon.
There were some instances of “so close but yet so far” for Ireland, which included an ill-advised Jamie Heaslip offload and Rob Kearney being dragged into touch after a blistering run.
But it was one of the more forgettable Irish performances in recent memory and one which quickly evaporated the early talk of an Irish Grand Slam.
The line-out was an issue for Ireland throughout and Rory Best’s showing at hooker left some fans with the opinion that his hopes for a starting place in New Zealand had been dealt a hammer blow.
Rory Best losing significant ground in the Lions quest with his lineout throwing so far
— G-Mac (@GreggMac11) February 4, 2017
Rory Best literally throwing away a starting place on the Lions #SCOIRE
— Seán Twomey (@1seantwomey) February 4, 2017
Rory Best throwing away his Lions selection one throw in after another #SCOvIRE #rugby #6nations
— Ross Evans (@RosscoEvs) February 4, 2017
Others suggested that the Ulster man simply didn’t do enough to justify his presence in the conversation for Lions captain.
So much for Best captaining the lions #hadashocker #scovire
— Cian Galvin (@cgalvin91) February 4, 2017
https://twitter.com/SeanoMaher/status/827914855227195393
People still think Rory Best should be #Lions captain? 😂 #rugby #sixnations
— Bristol Saracens RFC (@BristolSaracens) February 4, 2017
That's the end of Best for Lions captain #SCOvIRE
— Mister C (@InfoConor) February 4, 2017
While some supporters believed that Best may not even make it on to the plane.
People saying Rory Best lions captain, I would struggle to find a seat on the plane for him. #IREvSCO #shouldertoshoulder #RBS6Nations
— Jonny McFadden (@jonnymcfadden) February 4, 2017
Has Rory Best got holidays booked? Playing like a man who doesn't fancy the Lions tour.
— Jacob's Ladder ☭ 🇵🇸 (@coleraineyid) February 4, 2017
All in all, it was a rough day at the office for Ireland after a November which filled supporters with expectation.
