Peter O'Mahony has claimed that this weekend's Six Nations decider against Scotland in Dublin will be no different from any other game Ireland plays. Ireland welcomes Scotland to Dublin knowing that a win, despite England's result, will guarantee them another Six Nations crown.
Last weekend, Ireland had their Grand Slam dream ended by England's defeat, and now the circumstances surrounding the final game have changed in terms of what can be won.
The disappointment of not becoming the first team ever to win back-to-back Grand Slams has stung, and another Six Nations title will be a small consolation for many.
However, O'Mahony, the Ireland captain, does not believe that this weekend matters less because of their defeat last week. The Cork native only wants his side to record a win this weekend at the Aviva.
"You approach every game like you want to win it, which is no different this weekend for either of us," said O'Mahony.
"Off the back of a loss for both of us, you try to focus the mind on certain things and try to make improvements.
"And you always want your next performance to be a winning one, so I’m sure we’re both in the same camp in that department.
"I’m sure they are, but we’re in the same boat this week. We’re certainly hurting from last week's performance and losing; we don’t want to lose.
"Neither is Scotland, so we’re in the same boat."
Another narrative at play this weekend is the back-and-forth comments between the sides over the years.
Last year at the Rugby World Cup, Scottish fullback Blair Kinghorn said ahead of Ireland's game against Scotland in the final group game that they would end their winning streak.
“They have been on a good run of form recently, but we’ll end that on Saturday,” Kinghorn said.
Ireland went on to win, and ironically, O'Mahony, after the game, responded to Kinghorn's comments by adding, "You know they were in the press beforehand, saying they were going to knock us off our winning streak.
“And you know how they figured us out and worked us out, and I don’t think they did tonight.”
🗣 "I thought I was going to be all over the place with nerves.
🗣 "I consider myself very lucky. The clubs, schools and province I've been involved in.
🗣 "Scotland had said they had figured us out. I don't think they did tonight.
- Peter O'Mahony ☘️#IREvSCO #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/ledLpj0N50— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 7, 2023
This year Netflix released their "Full Contact" documentary series around the 2023 Six Nations, and there was also more insight into Scotland's view of the Irish team.
In the series, coach Gregor Townsend tells his players: “Over the last few years, I’ve heard a lot of things come out of Ireland. The Irish players and the Irish media believe we’re soft,” while Stuart Hogg is quoted saying, “We’re due these fkers one” and “fk them” in the series.
At halftime at Murrayfield last season, Townsend also said, “You’ve got them up front. We’re going to hammer them up front, in the maul, and in contact. And we’re fitter, and we make that fitness count.” Ireland won 22-7 despite the comments.
O'Mahony knows that the game will be huge and that the Irish team is in a very fortunate position to be where they are. He is not prepared to take that for granted this weekend despite the heated exchanges that have gone on before.
"It's a huge game for lots and lots of reasons, and you've got to go and play the match; the occasion is the big thing for every team on the last Saturday.
"I've spoken about it to the team early this week. I've been in plenty of games on the last day of the competition that we haven't been in with a shout.
"The position that we're in is very privileged, and you can never take it for granted. What a game to be selected for and an opportunity to play for your country to win silverware!
"It can never be something that you take for granted playing for Ireland, especially on the last day of a weekend like this and playing for something as big as a Six Nations championship."
Ireland team to play Scotland
Backs
15. Fullback: Hugo Keenan 14. Winger: James Lowe 11. Winger: Calvin Nash
13. Centre: Robbie Henshaw 12 . Centre: Bundee Aki
10. Outhalf: Jack Crowley 9. Scrumhalf: Jamison Gibson-Park
Forwards
1. Prop: Andrew Porter; 2. Hooker:Dan Sheehan 3. Prop: Tadhg Furlong
4. Lock: 5. Joe McCarthy Lock: 6 Tadhg Beirne
6. Blindside Flanker: Peter O'Mahony 7. Openside Flanker: Josh van der Flier 8.: Number 8 Caelan Doris.
Replacements: 16. Rónan Kelleher; 17. Cian Healy; 18. Finlay Bealham 19. Ryan Baird 20. Jack Conan; 21. Conor Murray 22. Harry Byrne 23. Garry Ringrose
