Andy Farrell says Ireland must stifle Scotland’s speed of play to prevent Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg starring with their “dinner suits on”.
Farrell’s men travel to Murrayfield on Sunday seeking their first meaningful success of this year’s Guinness Six Nations.
Fly-half Russell and captain Hogg have been instrumental in the Scots’ recent resurgence and were standout performers during last month’s shock Twickenham success over defending champions England.
Ireland head coach Farrell believes denying the hosts quick ball will be key to containing the influential duo.
“Like any game with top-class backs that are quite quick and dynamic in how they want to play the game, control the unpredictability, you’ve got to control the game up front, there’s no doubt about that,” said Farrell.
“Those two players will either play with their dinner suits on or not because of the speed of ball that they will require to be able to play into space.
“And it’s up to us to make sure that we slow that ball down for them so we can put some pressure on them ourselves.”
Ireland continue their salvage operation in Edinburgh after hopes of the title were swiftly extinguished by successive defeats to Wales and France, prior to a routine victory over Italy a fortnight ago.
Having upset England, Gregor Townsend’s Scotland maintain an outside chance of glory but are playing catch-up after a single-point loss to pace-setters Wales was followed by the frustration of the postponement of their clash with France, meaning they have not played for a month.
The Irish have dominated the fixture in recent years, winning nine of the past 10 meetings between the countries, including twice in 2020 and at the 2019 World Cup.
Farrell feels the mindset of his squad will be crucial to maintaining the stranglehold.
How will this look in a week? 🤔 #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/bB8uHBg5YL
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 8, 2021
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“We need to make sure we turn up with the right attitude and if you don’t, you get burnt, it’s as simple as that,” he said.
“When you turn up against a very good side, with how Scotland are playing at this moment in time, with anything but the right attitude then there’s no doubt you are going to come away with a loss.
“From what I have seen so far this week – and hopefully we keep building that – we will be brimming come kick-off time.”
Farrell has made three changes to his starting XV, recalling front-row duo Cian Healy and Rob Herring and wing Keith Earls in place of benched trio Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher and Jordan Larmour.
#TeamOfUs
😍 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗱-𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺-𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲. 🟢
We can't wait to see you lead the team out on Sunday, CJ! Congrats on 50, and here's to many more in green 👊#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #GuinnessSixNations #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/84y1GXnoxo— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 12, 2021
Meanwhile, South Africa-born CJ Stander will bring up 50 Test appearances for his adopted country.
Farrell hailed the Munster back-rower’s selflessness and bravery, while backing him to mark the milestone occasion with a vintage performance.
“It’s a difficult one to put into words because I couldn’t say enough about the bloke. He is the most genuine bloke you would ever meet,” Farrell said of 30-year-old Stander.
“He’s as honest as the day is long and, I suppose, that’s what shows in his performance.
#TeamOfUs
📄 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🟢
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day 23 for Sunday's #GuinnessSixNations showdown against Scotland at Murrayfield 🙌
More: https://t.co/kCnWshuyZl#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/r37gF8g71e— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) March 12, 2021
“How he acts on a daily basis and genuinely cares for people is exactly how he plays for the team; he’s a team-first man.
“He takes the hard yards and puts himself into difficult situations where others may shy away from from time to time.
“If anything needs doing as as far as tough yards (are concerned), he’s the one to put his hand up and I am thoroughly delighted for CJ to get his 50th cap this weekend.
“I have no doubt he will have a great game on the back of that.”
