The 'TNT moments' driving Ireland's history bid

Ireland great Ronan O'Gara believes the environment created by players and coaches is driving the side's bid for an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations crown.

With their 32-18 victory over Scotland on Sunday, Ireland have won 18 of their past 20 games in the competition, and are the only team in the 2025 edition of the championship still harbouring hopes of Triple Crown and Grand Slam success.

"There's no real mystery or surprise as to why Ireland are doing well, because when you break down their game, they're strong in an awful lot of aspects," the La Rochelle head coach told BBC Sport in Murrayfield.

"But what's underappreciated is, we see Scotland with the ball in the wide channels when they go pass, pass, pass, but then they get counter rucked.

"So many teams don't go after those but for Ireland there's no dead moments.

"There's an underappreciation of going after those TNT - takes no talent - battles."

Ireland had led 17-0 after half an hour and always felt in control of the contest despite having to make almost twice as many tackles as their opponents - 169 compared to 90 - and spending more time without the ball than they did with it.

O'Gara cited the tackle counts of forwards Josh van der Flier (19), Caelan Doris (17), Andrew Porter (16) and Finlay Bealham (14) as examples of the Irish work-rate that impressed him.

"They're pushing each other. I don't think today was a competition against Scotland, it was more among themselves," he added.

"Four of the five top tackle performers were in green. Really they didn't have to do that, because Scotland with the ball weren't that much of a threat.

"They want to show for each other that they play for each other and once you have that, you have a really good environment."

'It felt like a 40-point victory'

Speaking before kick-off in Edinburgh, the 128-times capped Irish fly-half spoke about how difficult it is to win away from home in the Six Nations.

He came away, however, believing Ireland could have won the game by even more despite having "another couple of gears to go".

"If you're looking for a formula of how to go away and win in the Six Nations I think you should study that," he said.

"It was ruthless from minute one - total domination. Scotland didn't get any in.

"Normally in a Test match, the lead changes hands a couple of times and it's in the balance.

"The biggest surprise is that it finished 32-18. It felt like a 40-point victory and maybe if Ireland need to, I think they've another couple of gears to go."

Ireland will play France at home next month, in between trips to Wales and Italy, with O'Gara feeling there is "definitely a Grand Slam" there for his old side - but he sees the visit of Les Bleus to Dublin as the biggest potential stumbling block.

"There's one game that jumps out," he added.

"In terms of player ability, France have the capacity to beat Ireland in Dublin.

"If they get their 'A' game, France have the rugby that they could potentially challenge Ireland."