Is there anything from what Scotland did tactically, though, that Ireland can also use to close the apparent gap between the sides? Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP via GettyOf all the areas where Scotland may have bettered England, the aerial game was not entirely predictable. If Scotland did look for touch, Ben White at scrumhalf was excellent when finding length on his clearing box kicks. We may well have seen that variance simply swinging against England in a one-off match, as much as Scotland outcompeting them. Ireland can of course improve their own aerial game and look for similar success to Scotland.

Source: The Irish Times February 19, 2026 06:18 UTC