JOE ANSBRO was encouraged after Scotland laboured to victory in their opening Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture, but acknowledged there was much work to be done prior to the tournament in New Zealand.
The London Irish centre was the match-winner on Saturday with a 76th-minute try – his first in seven internationals – as Scotland defeated Ireland 10-6 in the EMC Test at Murrayfield.
Scotland were the more enterprising team against a largely second-string Ireland, but the familiar failing of struggling to convert opportunities was evident until Ansbro cut in off the wing following replacement Nick De Luca’s break to score.
Ansbro said: “I was confident we’d score one at least.
“We’re very optimistic and that shone through. Things didn’t always go to plan, but we kept working hard.
“It was the first game, so things weren’t always going how we wanted, but I think we built enough momentum to score a try.
“They didn’t look like scoring – that’s a big positive – and we did.
“The tries are always there, it’s always just one pass away and luckily the pass came my way.
“We’ve just got to make sure we take more chances.
“It is quite satisfying and it’s encouraging more than anything.
“The win was paramount. I think we’re all very pleased.”
Meanwhile, for Ireland the return of Rob Kearney from a serious knee injury was one highlight in their loss.
Kearney played his first match since sustaining cartilage and ligament damage against New Zealand last November, completing the full 80 minutes unscathed.
The Lions full-back is an important player for Ireland and his solid display was welcomed by a management team that had little else to celebrate on a chilly afternoon at Murrayfield.
Kearney, making his comeback alongside Tomas O’Leary and Jerry Flannery, admits the occasion had been playing on his mind but was satisfied with the way it unfolded.
“It’s a huge relief to be playing again. I’d been nervous all week – I don’t usually get nerves beforehand,” said Kearney.
“I came across some big obstacles. The result wasn’t what we wanted but from a personal perspective it was good to get through it.”
