Marshall impressesduring debut defeat

The former Ballymena Academy player was making his first start for Ireland at number 12 and within the first ten minutes he had made 43 metres from two breaks.

On both occasions the boys in green were unlucky not to breach the Scottish line and a few missed kicks later, the Tartan Army had recorded a famous win.

There was no doubt however that the Ulster centre was Ireland’s stand out player and was the one and only positive from a day to forget for Kidney’s men.

Despite an impressive performance, the debutant was not happy, he said: “I was a bit nervous at the start but once I got into it I think my adrenalin just got me through. I enjoyed it, apart from the result.

“I’d a couple of nice wee breaks but I’d a couple of mistakes as well so there’s always something to work on.”

With the result finishing so close, the kicking of Paddy Jackson is being called into question, however his Ulster team mate Marshall was quick to jump to his defence, even highlighting an error of his own (His misplaced a pass during to wing Craig Gilroy).

“He took control of the line brilliantly. It was very easy to play off
him.

“He had a great turn-over in the first half, so he can be proud of himself definitely,” he added.

“That’s probably the biggest game he’s played in pressure-wise and (in terms of) atmosphere.

“At the end of the day he missed a couple of kicks but then if I’d passed to Gilly we would have won anyway.”