Scotland play Ireland today at the Aviva in the final round of the 2022 Six Nations. All the talk in the build-up to the match has centred around the dropping of Finn Russell, and the disciplinary incident that followed Scotland's win over Italy last week. Yesterday the SRU released a statement saying that six players had been involved in a "post-match matter".
The BBC and others reported that Finn Russell, Stuart Hogg, Ali Price, Darcy Graham, Sam Johnson and Sione Tuipulotu had left the team's headquarters last Saturday to visit a bar after returning from Rome following the defeat of Italy.
Scotland's flaky performances have been the source of much conjecture and analysis in this Six Nations, and this incident underlines a clear disconnect between Scotland's coaching staff and the senior players.
The incident was discussed at the beginning of Virgin Media Sport's analysis of Ireland v Scotland. Former Scotland coach Matt Williams had strong criticism for the players involved, and said the players "let their country down".
Six Nations: Matt Williams on Scotland
"They have let their country down!"
Rob Kearney, Matt Williams & Shane Horgan discuss the Scottish players who broke team protocols last weekend.#IREvSCO #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/1idUj9qkNo— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 19, 2022
Williams was keen to defend Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.
"It's really tough on Gregor. These are men. These are Lions. And you have your team rules. Can you imagine us sitting here and talking about Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw breaking team orders and going out for a few drinks when they shouldn't?
They have let their country down. They have crucified Gregor and the staff for this. I know from some very strong contacts within the staff. The staff feel very humiliated by this. Everyone in Scotland and everyone around rugby should not be blaming Gregor. He is innocent in this. They are men who made their own decisions.
"It's not the beers, that's one aspect, it's covid as well. They went into a bar with covid. They had just won a trophy that was named after one of their coaches [scrum coach Massimo Cuttitta] who died of Covid in Rome during the pandemic. They just won the trophy that day. And yet, they would go out and risk everyone and the game. It is beyond belief."
Rob Kearney said the players involved set an 'atrocious example' to Scotland's younger players.
Shane Horgan's analysis was perhaps the most nuanced, and said the reason this incident took place is because the Scotland players 'don't have the respect' for their coach.
"It makes a lot of sense, in terms of their indifferent performances in the Six Nations. They have the talent, there's no doubt. I believe that more than ever. The issue is upstairs."
Scotland started strong but Ireland gained control of the game and lead 14-0 after 30 minutes. The score was 14-5 at halftime.
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