It was very much case of job done for Joe Schmidt in Murrayfield as he watched Ireland secure a three-try win over Scotland 22-13.
The Ireland head coach made it evident that it was good, but a not great result in his post-match interview.
"Partially. I think we just muscled our way through it really to be honest. It wasn't the prettiest game. We got a peach of a set-piece try. A couple of broken field running tries. We restricted them to an intercept try."
One note of concern was the sight of Johnny Sexton leaving midway through the first half. The out-half was hit heavy numerous times early in the game and Schmidt confirmed that he did fail an HIA.
Sexton left the field not long after this, in the build-up to Stockdale's try.
The Scots definitely targeted him. 👊#SCOvIRE #VMTVRugby #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/ABPMiQMWBF— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 9, 2019
"He got a bit of a stamp on the head. He got a little bit of treatment out there. Look, he is feeling okay now. We don't think it is going to be anything long-term."
Schmidt was also asked about Peter O'Mahony's hit on Stuart Hogg but said he would have to say it again before giving any assessment.
Speaking on BBC, Paul O'Connell said two of the tackles on Sexton were 'borderline' but stopped short of calling them illegal.
Coach Joe Schmidt says Ireland's Johnny Sexton was taken off against Scotland after he failed a head injury assessment.#SCOvIRE reaction ? https://t.co/BkHCpGp693#bbcrugby #SixNations2019 pic.twitter.com/4nuOdQv0H9
— BBC Rugby Union (@bbcrugbyunion) February 9, 2019
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