The Red Rose were given a bloody nose by Scotland at Murrayfield last week and will want to make amends
14:26, 18 Feb 2026Updated 14:28, 18 Feb 2026
Conor Murray(Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady)
England are surely set to bounce back against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday,
The Red Rose, continues former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray, were given a bloody nose by Scotland at Murrayfield last week and will want to make amends.
Suggesting Ireland, trying to work new players into their settled system, could be in for a tough time.
“I was surprised that England didn’t have direction and seemed a little lost when they had to chase the game [vs Scotland],” said Murray.
“It is something that they have to look at. I’m sure they’re looking at it again, in case they come across this situation.
“If you play someone like France, there’s a chance that they’ll lose given how quickly the French opened up the scoring at the weekend. You’re going to have to chase games at times. You’re going to be behind, so you’ve got to react.
“Maybe it’s a little flaw and a little weakness that they probably didn’t know they had, and they’re going to have to figure out a way to chase games and get back into games quickly – that said, I still rate England.”
Indeed rates them high enough to suggest Irland will feel a Calcutta Cup backlash in Twickenham on Saturday.
“The stakes are higher for England, especially after the Scotland game. I think it’s a completely different fixture now for both sides.
“England will be hurting because they were obviously expected to go and win that game at Murrayfield. But they’re still absolutely in with a shout in the Six Nations.
“England can map their way through this now. If they get a win and look after the game after that, and then they go to France on the last day, there’s a massive chance of a championship decider.
“Ireland are trying to break down the door in terms of performance and get a pretty decent performance together and show what they’re capable of.
“I’ve been in situations like that where you have a good team and you win your first game and then all the talk is Grand Slam. It’s all Grand Slam.
“Within your group, you’re trying to temper that down as much as you can or not pay attention to it but it does slip in. Now they’ve got to refocus as they know the Grand Slam is gone. Two defeats for whoever loses and it’s hard to pick yourself up from that one. It’s a huge game.”
Murray can see what Ireland are trying to achieve and believes they have the players to implement the current game plan.
“I can still see the way they’re trying to play, and I still see the athletes that they have and the players they have,” adds the 125 times (2011-25) capped Ireland star.
“I’m biased, but I think I’m a realist because I’ve just left the group. I still think there’s something there, like they can do something. I don’t know if they’re fully on the decline. I know there are a lot of new players. In terms of age profile, there are a few older guys.
“But I was 35 when I retired and I would like to think that I was playing well enough to be involved in the squad. Andy [Farrell] is really blunt in a good way. He’s like: if you’re good enough, you’ll play, and if there’s someone better than you, he’ll play.
“At the minute, those guys that people are talking about in their 30s have been performing. I know they’re taking a little bit of a dip in performance, but there are also a lot of new players that are getting used to the way I think Farrell wants the game to be played.”
There are a number of difficulties inherent in bringing through young players and the nearer Ireland get to thhe World Cup, the harder it gets for those players.
“I was talking about this to Peter O’Mahony. It took us two seasons to get used to the way Andy wanted us to play. He’s very clear on what he wants to do.
“The phase play and the general play is like the money-maker for Ireland, and it has been through the Andy Farrell era. The difference when we were winning was that kind of ability just to play heads-up rugby and pick the right option.
“I can see they’re still trying to do that, but there are new guys involved, there are new guys in important positions that are getting used to that.
“Of course, you’d want Ireland to be favourites and go for the Six Nations, like they have been for a while, but maybe just not this year.”
Ireland lost to the All Blacks and South Africa, beat Japan and Australia, in the Autumn Series.
“We didn’t do a clean sweep in November, the Irish public started panicking and asking “what’s wrong?”, which is a compliment and quite frustrating because it’s like doomsday stuff now from the public and media.
“As someone who I think can offer a good balance, having just left the group, I can tell you it’s not that bad. We can definitely improve, but it’s not like we’re just falling off the face of the earth. All is not lost!”
Conor Murray was speaking with BetVictor Online Casino: https://www.betvictor.com/en-gb/casino
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