Six Nations 2024: ‘One to play and title’s still fully in Ireland’s hands’ – Rob Herring column

There’s no doubt the guys will be hurting after losing to England, but the Six Nations title is still in our hands.

I was over at the game and the atmosphere was incredible. The crowd and the team were really feeding off each other’s energy and in a battle that could have gone either way, England deserved their win.

England were under pressure and had probably underperformed in the tournament up to that point, but they aren’t a bad team.

I’ve been in that situation before, where you are underperforming and you fully believe in what you’re doing as a team, but it hasn’t paid off.

The pressure builds and then you start questioning what you’re doing and if it’s right, but you stick at it and then it suddenly clicks in one game.

From an Irish point of view, it was obviously frustrating that came against us – especially when the team were hoping to win the title with a game to play. Ireland didn’t necessarily play badly, it was one of those proper tests matches where both teams are playing well and momentum constantly swings. But at the end of the day, literally in the last minute, England managed to finish team on top.

Andy Farrell is pretty honest in the changing room with his feedback and I know the team will quickly regroup to try and finish the job against Scotland in Dublin.

To be so close to being one match away from history shows the small margins in the Six Nations – and also highlights why no team has won back-to-back Grand Slams before.

It would have been incredible to be the first team to do that, but it would still be a massive achievement to win consecutive titles.

Since the Six Nations was introduced in 2000, back-to-back titles has only been achieved on five occasions in the men’s game. That would still be a special feat and something to be proud of.

‘It’s in our hands’

You could see the disappointment on the faces of Ireland’s players at full-time at Twickenham. It is an emotional rollercoaster when you are playing at the top end of test match rugby, but I know that feeling will be quickly parked and that will sharpen the mind towards Scotland.

It’s still completely in our hands, so we need to put in a big performance to take the trophy.

Having the final match against Scotland is an always a tricky one. On one hand, we have very much had the upper hand in recent years.

On the other, we all know how dangerous this Scotland team can be, especially when their backs are against the wall.

Italy were superb in their win, but Scotland will feel like they have something to prove and they can still win the Triple Crown.

Both teams will be really motivated to end the Six Nations on a high and, with a title on the line, the guys will be ready to embrace the challenge in front of their home fans.

I know it can sometimes come across as a cliche that players do it for the supporters, but it genuinely is true with this group – it is kind of a north star for us.

That was one of the key messages when Andy came into the job. Are we doing this for personal glory or are we doing this as a team and for our supporters?

We want to inspire the next generation and that’s always been a theme. It will also be St Patrick’s weekend and it should be a carnival atmosphere.

I remember the scenes when we won in Dublin last year. I don’t think anyone left the stadium for an hour. They were scenes I will always remember for the rest of my life, not just my career. I’m sure it’s the same for all the supporters who were there or watching on TV, having been with us every step of the way on the emotional rollercoaster.

You have to savour those moments and the players will want to repeat that feeling with another title on home soil.

The championship is on the line and a very good Scotland team are coming to try and spoil the party. There is no greater motivation than that.

Rob Herring was speaking to BBC Sport NI’s Andy Gray