Ireland may be focused on Scotland’s ‘threats’ but revenge in Dublin could secure Six Nations with a week to spare

Skipper Rory Best is still reeling from mistakes made in loss to the Scots last year even though Irish could secure series in Dublin with a week to spare

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Ireland’s Rob Kearney celebrates with teammates after their fifth try against Wales. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:06am, 10 Mar 2018Updated: 11:06am, 10 Mar 2018

If Ireland are to beat Scotland on Saturday and edge to within a win of only their third Five/Six Nations Grand Slam they must not repeat the mistakes they made in last year’s match, says captain Rory Best.

The 35-year-old hooker said Ireland allowed themselves to relax fatally once they had battled back from 21-5 down to lead 22-21 with the game entering the final stages only for Greig Laidlaw to convert two penalties to seal the game for the Scots.

The Irish – unbeaten at home in the Six Nations since head coach Joe Schmidt took over after the 2013 edition – will start as favourites even though Scotland arrive in Dublin buoyed by a scintillating 25-13 victory over champions England.

Scotland's number 8 Ryan Wilson celebrates with the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield. Photo: AFP

“We got ourselves back into it and we breathed a sigh of relief,” said Best – who will win his 110th cap this weekend – at his eve of match press conference on Friday. But that was a mistake because if you do that in tests you can easily lose control.

“You can’t afford to do that and we paid heavily for it.”

Best discounted Scotland’s poor away record in the tournament which, without counting traditional whipping boys Italy, has seen them win just two of their last 37 on the road.