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Michael Scully

Ireland vs Scotland: Rob Herring insists there is no panic over scrum issues

Rob Herring says Ireland will manage the situation better the next time their scrum is in trouble.

Andy Farrell’s review took in the six scrum penalties conceded at twickenham last Saturday but hooker Herring, who played a big role off the bench, said that other poor parts of Ireland’s display added to the pressure on the pack.

The Ulster front row denied there was panic in the camp and insisted: “Hopefully next time when something like that happens we’ll manage it better.

Read more: Johnny Sexton announces retirement plans after signing new IRFU deal

"if there’s one aspect of the game where we’re being penalised a bit, we’ve got to look after the other aspects of the game.

“We gave a lot of turnovers in open play and some silly penalties which were avoidable. That started compounding a bit of pressure on ourselves.

“We’ve got a really good scrum, it’s getting better and better. it’s up there as one of the top scrums, you don’t become a bad scrum overnight.

"But a lot of the scrums were wheeling around and on any given day that’s a 50/50 decision from a ref. ”

Meanwhile, Johnny Sexton says that James Ryan will see “the best people in the world” after his latest head injury.

But the veteran skipper is confident the Leinster and Ireland pack leader will return when the time is right after his latest concussion issue.

Ryan will play no part in Ireland’s Triple Crown bid against Scotland after a high tackle by red-carded England lock Charlie Ewels resulted in a clash of heads last Saturday.

He has been stood down and has returned to Leinster to get himself right.

It is the latest in a number of head injuries that the 25-year-old has suffered.

Ryan saw an independent concussion consultant after he did not return from a head injury assessment against Argentina in November.

Sexton himself has been stood down twice – once while with Racing and also last year after the Champions Cup quarter-final.

Meanwhile, Caelan Doris missed last year’s Six Nations as his concussive symptoms were examined before returning for this campaign.

“When it’s you and you’re in that situation, it’s really tough because speculation is the one thing that doesn’t help,” said Sexton.

“All I can say about it is he was in good form after the England game, he was in good health. It’s not like he’s struggling big time.

“I think the hit that he got was particularly bad. I don’t think many people would have stayed on after it, whether they’d had a concussion previously or not.

“He’s bounced back pretty well from it, he’s going to see the best people in the world about it and make sure he is 100% when he comes back.

“The IRFU will look after him, Leinster will look after him and that’s one of the best things about being at home is that you are really well looked after.

“Whenever you do see him, it means that he’s good to go. He’s played a lot since his last one, hasn’t had any issues and he’s taken some big knocks.

"I don't think his tolerance is decreasing. It was a pretty bad wallop and that can happen.”

Read more: Introducing Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Ulster's 'giant' new signing

Read more: Ulster star Mike Lowry to stand tall against Italy, predict Andy Farrell and James Lowe

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