While Ireland fans remain on cloud nine as a result of the big victory over South Africa on Saturday night, it is being slightly overlooked that Andy Farrell's side have not yet guaranteed their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
The squad will now have two weeks to prepare for their final pool game against Scotland, a fixture they will be expected to win. However, there are a set of results over the next couple of weeks that could still see the Irish eliminated from the tournament.
You would imagine that this would be an unlikely prospect. Ireland have been stellar in the tournament up to this point, and while Scotland are a talented side, they will certainly go into that game as underdogs.
Still, it seems some in their camp were not that impressed by comments being made after Saturday night's games.
Townsend questions comments made after Ireland beat South Africa
Many people are already looking forward to a potential Rugby World Cup quarter-final between Ireland and New Zealand, in the process overlooking the influence Scotland could still have on this pool.
This has not gone unnoticed by the Scots.
Speaking after Scotland's win over Tonga yesterday, Gregor Townsend hinted that he not happy with the narrative that emerged after Ireland's win over the Springboks.
Scotland's Gregor Townsend and Finn Russell look ahead to Scotland's clash with Ireland in Pool B to come in two weeks.
"Reading a few comments after the game, it looks like Ireland are already in the quarter-final!"
🏴 vs 🇮🇪#SCOvTON | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/TSw3lKFYCp— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 24, 2023
Reading a few comments after the game it looked like Ireland were already in the quarter-finals. Even people were chatting today saying Ireland were playing New Zealand.
For us, maybe that has already been decided. We know we have to win our next two games, we will likely have to win by getting a bonus point or deny Ireland getting a bonus point.
We've got a game next week to focus on and we will get maximum points from that one first.
Scotland have often talked a big game in the past, and while this has sometimes come back to bite them, they seem confident that that they can get a result against Ireland.
It will be interesting to see how the game goes on October 7th.
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