The China Mail - Six Nations title still 'massive' incentive for Ireland's Gibson-Park

Ireland were on the cusp of retaining their crown with a game to spare before Marcus Smith's last-ditch drop-goal ensured England emerged victorious from a thrilling contest at Twickenham on Saturday.

But an Ireland side coached by Andy Farrell will still win the Championship if they defeat Scotland in Dublin this coming Saturday (March 16).

Victory over England at the Aviva Stadium sealed last season's title and Ireland scrum-half Gibson-Park is now targeting a similar outcome against a Scotland side looking to rebound from their 31-29 defeat by Italy in Rome.

"We've thrown a lot into this Championship and we were pretty keen to go after the Grand Slam," said Gibson-Park. "That's gone now but there's still plenty to play for, thankfully.

"It's massive, man. I mean we were able to get it done last year in front of our friends and family and home supporters, which means a huge amount.

"There will be that same drive next weekend for sure.

"Faz (Farrell) has already said to us that we've got to congratulate England and just get ready for Scotland."

- 'Dust ourselves down' -

Ireland led 12-8 at half-time on Saturday, somewhat against the run of play, following four penalties from fly-half Jack Crowley before wing James Lowe scored two tries after the break.

But England were well worth their win with replacement stand-off Smith's heroics, which sparked delirious scenes among a Twickenham crowd of over 81,000, capping a fine display where Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank and Ben Earl all scored tries for Steve Borthwick's men.

Gibson-Park had to play the final 30 minutes out of position on the right wing after the exits of Calvin Nash and Ciaran Frawley, to failed head injury assessments, revealed a flaw in Ireland coach Farrell's decision to opt for a six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench.

Even so, this was just Ireland's third defeat in 23 Tests since July 2022, with both of those previous losses coming against enduring rugby superpower New Zealand.

"We are thankful over the last number of years, we have been on the right side of the ledge a lot of the time," said 32-year-old Leinster scrum-half Gibson-Park.

"But every now and again, it's the way it goes...Obviously we have to dust ourselves down because there's still a Championship on the line."

Ireland captain Peter O'Mahony, whose yellow card just before the hour mark reduced the visitors to 14 men at a key stage of the game, paid tribute to England by saying: "They're a quality side and I thought they showed that in spades with the way they defended, clinical in their attack, and disrupted a lot of the stuff that we wanted to do.

"It was a savage battle out there," the flanker added.

R.Yeung--ThChM