Scotland vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Final score and result from Six Nations game today
Ireland took another step towards the Grand Slam
Wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe scored a try each for Ireland as flyhalf Johnny Sexton became the joint leading scorer in Six Nations history following a pulsating 22-7 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Replacement number eight Jack Conan scored Ireland’s third try as they turned up the heat in the second half despite the loss of both hookers to injury, leading to flanker Josh van der Flier throwing in at the line-out and three props in the front row of the scrum.
Scotland were in the game at halftime as they trailed 8-7 having scored a try through centre Huw Jones, which will give them some confidence heading into the Rugby World Cup where they face Ireland and South Africa in their pool with only two teams to advance to the quarter-finals.
Ireland, who have claimed the Triple Crown and have their sights now set on a Grand Slam, lead the Six Nations table with 19 points from four games, four ahead of second-placed France.
They host England in their final game next Saturday while Scotland welcome Italy.
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 39 minutes
Ronan Kelleher withdraws his brake foot as Scotland prepare to feed the scrum, giving the hosts a free kick.
They’ll opt to pack down again. Ireland begin to get a nudge on but Scotland are able to play away. Stuart Hogg is held up in a choke tackle by Bundee Aki, but manages to writhe away and get a knee to floor.
Ireland think they spy a ball coming free from the base of a ruck, but are over eager - it wasn’t quite out yet, and Luke Pearce penalises them for their trespassing.
What’s the call from Scotland with the clock in the red? A stiff breeze may convince them that a kick at goal would not be wise. Indeed - Finn Russell finds the touchline ten metres from the Ireland line.
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 37 minutes
Now it is Ireland’s turn to impose their defensive strength, attacking the breakdown often to try and disrupt Ireland’s ball. Mack Hansen is pressed into emergency scrum-half duties some distance from the right wing he nominally is meant to occupy, finding Jack Conan, whose pass to James Lowe is forward.
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 36 minutes
It’s properly physical now out there. Irish defenders hurtle out of the line, meatily meeting the Scottish carriers. Matt Fagerson and Finn Russell are tonked backwards, with the latter doing some unspotted fiddling on the floor to ensure his side retain possession.
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 35 minutes
And make a hash of the lineout! George Turner gathers gleefully at the tail and Scotland clear their lines.
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 34 minutes
Boos from the Murrayfield crowd as what they perceive as a legitimate turnover from Pierre Schoeman instead results in another Ireland penalty. Referee Luke Pearce is clear that Schoeman missed it on his initial go - and yes, that’s a good call from the referee, Schoeman going beyond the ball first before dragging his hands back on to the ball.
Ireland return to the corner...
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 33 minutes
This is turning into a thrilling encounter. Now Ireland cut Scotland open, James Lowe scything up the centre.
Ireland’s forwards carry onwards up into the Scotland 22, and Stuart Hogg rather cynically slaps at Conor Murray’s arm from inside a ruck. He’s slightly fortunate that a penalty is the only sanction; Ireland kick to the corner.
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 31 minutes
A chance missed by Scotland! They carve Ireland open, Sione Tuipulotu condensing the midfield with another deft bit of handling at the line, allowing Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe to come around the corner into space.
Van der Merwe is asked to do the carrying by his fly half and obliges, but Hugo Keenan makes an outstanding tackle on the far larger stomping Scotsman. Russell is the only clearing Scottish body, allowing both Josh van der Flier and Bundee Aki to latch over the top and win a holding on penalty.
Scotland 7-8 Ireland, 29 minutes
The officials were happy enough with Van der Merwe’s challenge there, beliving his left arm to have wrapped, though it did look a slightly forceful right shoulder with a tucked arm as the wing tried to drive Hansen out. Anyway, it matters not - the score was good and Ireland will take the five points.
Hansen is in retreat now, turned by Finn Russell’s intelligent dribble beyond him. A high hop piques the interest of the Scottish chasers but the kick does eventually tumble into touch.
TRY! Scotland 7-8 IRELAND (Mack Hansen try, 28 minutes)
An outstanding finish!
Mack Hansen takes a proper thumping from Duhan van der Merwe, covering across having been caught slightly too far infield, but the wing is still able to contort a reaching right arm past the corner flag and ground firmly before his knees are forced into touch.
Stuart Terheege offers his assent from the TMO truck, and referee Luke Pearce awards the score. Johnny Sexton doesn’t quite draw back his touchline conversion enough, but Ireland are back ahead.
Try? Has Mack Hansen got over in the corner?
Beautiful handling from Ireland, with Hugo Keenan unfurling a lovely wide ball to his wing - but has Hansen managed to ground before he is forced out?
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