Ireland vs Scotland LIVE: Result and latest reaction from Autumn Nations Cup

Follow the latest updates from the third-place play-off at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland celebrate after Keith Earls score his second try of the match against Scotland (PA)

Follow the latest updates as Ireland take on Scotland in the battle to claim third in the Autumn Nations Cup as Finals Weekend continues.

After Georgia and Fiji raised the curtain on today’s action, it’s the turn of the two group runners-up to take centre stage in the third-place play-off. It’s of course not the game that either wanted to be in, with Ireland coming unstuck against England earlier in the tournament while Scotland lost their decider to the French, but both sides have signalled their intent to end the year on a high with the Six Nations just around the corner.

Ireland will be led by returning captain Johnny Sexton who has recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in the opening game against Wales, while Scotland turn to debutant fly-half Jaco van der Welt in the hope of finding a replacement for injured duo Finn Russell and Adam Hastings. Follow the live updates below.

Ireland vs Scotland key points

• Ireland 31-16 Scotland
• Earls scores opening try of the match
• Scotland reduced to 14 men after Duncan Taylor sin-binned
• Healy adds second early in the second half
• Earls adds his second to assert commanding lead
• Scotland respond through Van der Merwe’s solo effort

[5 December 2020 11:49 · Jack de Menezes]

England vs France

Well here’s a bit of unexpected news.

England have been forced into a late change ahead of tomorrow’s final against France. Mako Vunipola has been ruled out with a calf injury, meaning Ellis Genge is promoted to starting loosehead prop and Joe Marler comes into the squad among the replacements. That’s a big blow for the home side.

[5 December 2020 11:41 · Jack de Menezes]

Georgia vs Fiji

Let’s begin to focus on the opening match of the afternoon, with a look at the two teams as announced on Thursday afternoon:

Fiji: Kini Murimurivalu; Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Levani Botia Nemani Nadolo; Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peni Ravai, Samuel Matavesi, Mesake Doge; Tevita Ratuva, Temo Mayanavanu; Johnny Dyer, Mesulame Kunavula, Albert Tuisue.

Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Haereiti Hetet, Samuela Tawake, Chris Minimbi, Manueli Ratuniyarawa, Simione Kuruvoli, Seru Vularika, Waisea Nayacalevu.

Georgia: Soso Matiashvili; Akaki Tabutsadze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Merab Sharikadze, Sandro Todua; Tedo Abzhandadze, Vasil Lobzhanidze; Mikheil Nariashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Beka Gigashvili; Lasha Jaiani, Kote Mikautadze; Otar Giorgadze, Beka Saghinadze, Tornike Jalaghonia.

Replacements: Jaba Bregvadze, Guram Gogichashvili, Giorgi Melikidze, Grigol Kerdikoshvili, Mikheil Gachechiladze, Gela Aprasidze, Demur Tapladze, Davit Niniashvili.

[5 December 2020 11:32 · Jack de Menezes]

Georgia vs Fiji

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Autumn Nations Cup action, with Finals Weekend getting underway in Edinburgh as Georgia take on Fiji at Murrayfield.

We’ll get to the opening match of the afternoon shortly, but first let’s set the scene for a busy day of rugby across the UK and Ireland. We begin with the seventh-place play-off in what will finally be a first glimpse of Fiji following their coronavirus struggles, though will a battle-hardened Georgia gain an advantage from their three previous matches as the Fijians risk coming in cold?

We then head to Dublin for the big game of the day as Ireland and Scotland meet in a battle for third place in the Autumn Nations Cup, with the two group runners-up meeting in a clash that has all the ingredients of a good old fashioned Six Nations shootout. Both sides have named a full-strength side as is possible due to injury troubles, but it should be a cracking game to light up a cold December afternoon.

The action wraps up today in Llanelli where Wales look to secure only their third win of 2020 against an Italian side that is looking for its first victory since the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with both teams desperate to end their campaigns on a high and generate a bit of momentum ahead of the Six Nations - which gets underway in just two months’ time!

The final between England and France will have to wait for tomorrow as tournament organisers look to build up the drama into a crescendo at Twickenham, though the hosts will go into the match as heavy favourites due to France having to select a second-string side due to an agreement with the French clubs.