6N: Gregor Townsend plays down Scotland vs Ireland 'needle' as he explains team selection
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GREGOR TOWNSEND reckons Scotland vs Ireland is just another game – and that any hyping up of the rivalry comes from the Irish.
Townsend heads into Sunday's encounter looking for his first ever win over the visitors as head coach at the 11th attempt.
He makes three changes from the team that defeated Italy 31-19 last weekend, with Tom Jordan, Rory Sutherland and Jack Dempsey all starting at the expense of Stafford McDowall, Pierre Schoeman and Jamie Ritchie.
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This has often been seen as something of a grudge fixture with rivalries built over the years both in this match and also on club duty – especially between Glasgow Warriors and Munster.
Townsend, though, was dismissive of that aspect of Sunday's match, believing any talk of this being a game of "needle" is not how his camp sees it.
He said: "Yeah, I don't think there is [a rivalry]. Well, if there is it's just the same as any other game.
"I think teams want to build up something to provide extra motivation. So, maybe it's more on the Irish side or the Irish media side that there's this rivalry or needle to give them extra motivation on why they want to win again.
"Obviously they've won this fixture a number of times and we respect Ireland a lot and admire what they've done over the last few years. But it doesn't stand out as a needle game for us.
"Ireland are a top side and they have been for a number of years. They're clearly favourites for this game and looking to win three Six Nations in a row which would be unprecedented. So, all credit to them. They've worked hard to be one of the top teams in the world and they've kept that going over the last couple of years."
Townsend also insisted his team talks haven't focused too much on Scotland's enduring struggles against the Irish, believing the winless streak only becomes a factor when it's finally over.
He added: "I think you only lean into it once you've ended it. Honestly, I think it's not something that our players talk about. We talk about our recent experiences against Ireland and why we weren't able to play our best or what they did, how it's shaped us and how we play now.
"I don't think any – well maybe one player or two players – have been here throughout the seven or eight years. It's more your recent experiences [that count]. And our most recent experiences are last week's game and the two training sessions we've had this week. That's what fills the minds of the players as we go into a game."
Townsend also explained the thinking behind his decision to make those personnel changes.
"I think there are similarities with the three of them which is the real energy that they bring, they're quick players and are in good form. Jack obviously was getting back into full fitness and he's now had three weeks training with us, a game and a half, one with the club and one at the weekend, so he's good to go. He's been a starter for us for the last few years.
"I think Rory and Pierre have been competing really hard over the last few months for that starting jersey and I feel Rory has earned it. He brings a lot of speed, both in his kick-chase, his defence and his ball-carrying.
"With Tom, it was great to see him again play like he has done in the 15 jersey for us in November, like he's done in the 10 jersey for Glasgow for a few years now and he just brought that off the bench at 12. Twelve is probably his natural position. It was the position he played most of his rugby growing up, so yeah, I think all three deserve an opportunity to start."
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