Rugby: McGeechan - Celtic success gives Ireland confidence
Scotland coach Ian McGeechan believes the stunning success of the Irish provinces in the new Celtic League will have created a platform of confidence for their national side when the Six Nations championship resumes this weekend.
McGeechan’s side face Ireland at Murrayfield on Saturday in a match delayed for six months because of the foot and mouth crisis.
And as he continued his preparations, he said: ‘‘The fact that all four of their teams have qualified for the quarter-finals - and clinched home ties - will be a huge boost for rugby at every level in Ireland.
‘‘I know for a fact that the national coach Warren Gatland will be absolutely thrilled with what has happened and the results have shown that Irish rugby is in a pretty sound state at the moment.’’
McGeechan rejected suggestions that the time-lapse since the last championship match would make it hard for his players to get motivated for the showdown.
He stressed: ‘‘The players are excited about Saturday. They are excited about playing for Scotland. I would be disappointed if they didn’t feel that way.’’
Winger Kenny Logan and flanker Martin Leslie have been ruled out of the game.
Logan aggravated a knee-tendon problem while playing for Wasps against Sale at the weekend.
And Leslie will be sidelined for at least a month after damaging ankle ligaments during Edinburgh’s Celtic League defeat at Cardiff last week.
Having already picked a provisional squad of 25, McGeechan has opted not to call up any substitutes for the pair and he will reveal his final party of 22 on Thursday.
He explained: ‘‘That was the reason for holding squad get-togethers in July and then earlier this month. The aim was to get our general approach over to as many potential team members as possible.
‘‘It gave the younger and older guys an idea of our plans and an overall understanding of our principles so they wouldn’t come in cold in this situation.’’
Despite losing two of his senior stars, McGeechan admitted his injury list was not as long as he had first feared.
‘‘I sat with my fingers crossed all weekend especially on Sunday when we had nine squad members in action in England,’’ he admitted.
While Logan’s problem is not rated as serious, the coach said: ‘‘In order to prepare as thoroughly as possible for this game I wanted everyone to be fit by the start of the week.
‘‘Kenny would probably not have been able to train until Thursday at the earliest, so I didn’t want to take any chances.’’
