No extra rivalry: Gregor Townsend plays down Scotland-Ireland grudge match talk

Gregor Townsend dismissed any notion that Scotland versus Ireland has become a grudge match ahead of Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations showdown between the sides at Murrayfield.

The Scots have lost each of their last 10 meetings against the Irish – including two World Cup pool-stage fixtures –  in a run stretching back to February 2017.

A perception has developed that Ireland take particular delight from putting Townsend’s men in their place whenever they are deemed to be talking bullishly about their prospects of ending a hoodoo now spanning eight years.

Asked if he detected a more intense rivalry between the sides in recent times, the Scotland head coach said: “I don’t think there is. Well, if there is, it’s just the same as any other game where teams want to build up something to provide extra motivation.

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