Guinness Six Nations Player of the Match CJ Stander admitted Ireland have plenty to work on, after the 2018 Grand Slam champions battled past Scotland 19-12 in their Championship opener.
The Munster stalwart played the majority of the match at No.8 following an early injury to Caelan Doris, and epitomised a dogged display from the home side, contributing 17 tackles and a match-high 17 carries.
Opposing fly-halves Johnny Sexton and Adam Hastings were the only two players to score in a gritty encounter, with the Irish skipper scoring the game’s only try in the ninth minute.
And having seen his side do enough to get over the line in head coach Andy Farrell’s first game in charge, Stander insisted the victory gave Ireland plenty to build on in the coming weeks.
“It’s a good start but there’s a lot to work on,” he said. “The game was a bit stop-start, but I think we tried to play our game when we could.
“We tried a few different things and it was good to see the ball going out wider and the wingers getting a chance to run with it at times. There were a few good phases but we know we have to improve.
“We all know you have to start the Guinness Six Nations well, just as you have to finish it well. If you don’t give yourself a chance you’re quickly in trouble and we’ve got the win today which is the most important thing.”
Next up for Ireland is the visit of defending Grand Slam champions Wales, who impressively swept aside Italy 42-0 in their Round 1 fixture earlier on Saturday.
While Wayne Pivac’s men kept their opponents at bay for the full 80 minutes, Stander demonstrated his own defensive prowess with a game-clinching turnover penalty late on against Scotland and he is excited to test himself again next week.
He said: “It was a really good feeling at the end. I think Robbie Henshaw was next to me and working hard, like the whole team did during the game. It was good to not let them score a try.
“We know there are things to work on but that’s exciting, and we’ll all get our heads down now and look forward to a great week ahead. I can’t wait to get out there for the next match.”
