Former Ireland head coach believes Scotland are 'closing gap' on rivals but Leinster legend disagrees

Gregor Townsend has never been able to beat the men in green as head coach of the national team with the Irish on a 12-game winning streak dating back to 2018. There have been a few occasions where hopes were high in the Scotland camp that they could break that long losing duct but every time their rivals have had their number.

However, one former head coach of the Irish national team believes the gap between the two sides may finally be closing. That opinion isn’t universally held though with a former Leinster man quick to disagree.

Former Ireland head coach believes Scotland are closing the gap on Six Nations rivals

Eddie O’Sullivan, who was in charge or Ireland from 2001 to 2008 before spells with the USA national team and French club Biarritz, was speaking on the Indo Sport podcast this week and was asked which nation he felt could be creeping up on them as the current fourth best side in world rugby. The 67-year-old, who has not always been full of praise for Scotland in the past, picked Gregor Townsend’s team as his answer.

He said: “I know I've been very critical of Scotland but ironically Scotland have shown a little bit of moxie in the last fight. They had a very good one against Argentina.

"They seem to have a very good team at the moment and on their day, now if they ever have to come to Dublin I wouldn't back them in Dublin, but I think on their day they may have a say against Ireland. They could creep up on Ireland's shoulder.

"I think you're asking me is there somebody that could spoil the party? It'd be interesting to see when they get into the cut and thrust of the Six Nations again. That's always a great judge of where you are and you know if they got us in the Six Nations that would snap people's heads back pretty quickly."

Former Leinster and Ulster player Ian Madigan did not share the opinion of O’Sullivan. The one time Bordeaux utility back, who was capped 31 times for Ireland between 2013 and 2016, felt confident that his country would be able to get the result over the Scots when next they played.

Madigan explained: "I think just as opposed to start with Scotland there and continue on that point, just when you think maybe the gap is closing, we beat them again and why is that? Because we can actually resort to what South Africa, France and New Zealand can resort to doing against us. We can pummel Scotland and probably come out on top."

Scotland will next face Ireland in Round 4 of next year’s Six Nations Championship at Murrayfield. That match will be a precursor to their following meeting which will come in the pool stage of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The two nations were draw together in the 2023 edition of the competition in France where Andy Farrell’s men were of course victorious. They won 36-14 at the Stade de France, a result which ensured Scotland’s elimination from the tournament before the knockout rounds.

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