Hope everyone is well — it’s Gavan Casey with you here and I’ll bring you live updates from Ireland’s Six Nations Round 2 trip to Scotland if you can’t make it to Murrayfield or to a TV.
The madness will begin at 3pm, where Scotland and Ireland will seek to further their title chances following France’s defeat to England last night.
What a championship it’s turning out to be already. If you’re into rugby at all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
We’ve got a big one on our hands in Edinburgh. The city has a greenish hue to it today with massive travelling numbers from Ireland.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Strap in! It’s almost showtime.
9 Feb
2:16PM
Pre-match reading, anyone?
A few scene-setting pieces of writing for you if you’re missing the televised build-up:
Two from Murray Kinsella, who tees it up and also speaks with former Ireland underage wing Tommy Seymour, who wound up carving out a brilliant career with the Scots.
Ex-Ireland U19 and Ulster wing Tommy Seymour made it big with Scotland: https://t.co/MZF2EcmV1j
As I touch upon in my aforementioned piece, they’ve lost 21 of 25 meetings with Ireland during the Six Nations era. Ireland have won the last 10, including the World Cup pool encounter in Paris in 2023.
Scotland have won 14 championships but their most recent was the final ever Five Nations in 1999. Ireland, meanwhile, have won 16 — and six since 2009.
The sands have shifted massively during the professional era but the Scots — quietly this week — feel like they’ve got a real chance of ending their Irish hoodoo at Murrayfield today.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Ireland, obviously, have other ideas.
9 Feb
2:26PM
How are the nerves?
With just over half an hour to go until kick-off, what’s your read on this one?
Poll Results:
Ireland, but my nerves are at me. (158)
Ireland, and with room to spare over these spoofers. (157)
I've an awful feeling Scotland will send us homewards to think again. (41)
A reminder of the lineups for each side this afternoon.
The hosts have made three changes from their bonus-point victory over Italy.
Tom Jordan comes in to pair up with Huw Jones in the centre while Rory Sutherland comes in at loosehead prop along with Jack Dempsey stepping in at number eight.
The inclusion of Jordan at 12 is intriguing: the Glasgow back has started only six games at inside centre in his entire career, club or country. He’ll complement Finn Russell as a second playmaker but on the other side of the ball, it’s a big test for him against Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
On the Irish side of the equation, Mack Hansen was ruled out yesterday and so Calvin Nash starts on the right wing.
Peter O’Mahony also gets the nod at blindside, primarily because Ireland are going to have a tougher day ahead of them than last week in the lineout, one would imagine.
That Irish bench could prove key once more.
SCOTLAND: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell (co-captain), Ben White; Rory Sutherland, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge (co-captain), Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman, Will Hurd, Sam Skinner, Gregor Brown, Jamie Ritchie, Jamie Dobie, Stafford McDowall.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose.
Anthems underway now in Edinburgh, beginning with Ireland’s Call.
Almost go-time.
9 Feb
2:57PM
I’m not breaking any new ground here but Flower of Scotland’s acapella chorus at Murrayfield is one of the best sounds in world sport. It’s magic.
Here we go!
9 Feb
3:01PM
Legendary British athlete Chris Hoy, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, brings out the ball at Murrayfield. The place suitably erupts. Six Olympic gold medals on the bike. What a man.
1′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Sam Prendergast gets the action going in the Scottish capital!
9 Feb
3:04PM
4′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Blair Kinghorn ends a bout of kick-tennis and chips ahead on transition. He regathers his own ball but spills it forward in contact.
Ireland gain a second knock-on advantage shortly afterwards and Sam Prendergast seeks Calvin Nash on the crossfield kick but it’s snuffed out.
Kiwi ref James Doleman brings it back for an Irish scrum just inside the Scottish half.
9 Feb
3:07PM
5′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Sensational set-piece attack by Ireland! Hands by Prendergast and Lowe unleash Robbie Henshaw who powers into the Scottish 22′ with the linebreak.
Ireland sustain an attack on the Scottish 5′ and win the penalty advantage. The visitors are unable to convert but they have a five-metre lineout from the pen.
Big chance!
9 Feb
3:07PM
6′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Beirne takes the lineout cleanly and the Scots take down the maul illegally.
Penalty again — which will be played after Aki spills the ball thereafter.
WHAT A START BY IRELAND, AND WHAT A PASS BY SAM PRENDERGAST!
The Scots stop Caelan Doris off the lineout move, and then halt James Lowe. But Ireland go wide right with another offside advantage and Prendergast arrows one 30 yards to Nash in the right-hand corner.
The young out-half splits the posts with a difficult conversion to boot.
Ireland up by seven at Murrayfield!
9 Feb
3:12PM
9′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Scotland concede their third penalty on the restart but Ireland knock on the lineout over the top, poor by Peter O’Mahony. Murrayfield enjoyed that.
Tadhg Beirne, meanwhile, is off for a HIA. He’s replaced, for now, by Ryan Baird.
9 Feb
3:14PM
11′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Ireland put the Scottish scrum under serious pressure there but they get away with it. Some messy play from both sides ensues.
A positive sign for Ireland up front, though.
9 Feb
3:16PM
12′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Kelleher overthrows a lineout, or perhaps the jump was mistimed — but that’s two poor put-ins by Ireland.
9 Feb
3:18PM
14′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Ireland pounce upon some loose Scottish play and Calvin Nash fly-hacks into grass deep in Scottish territory!
Nash kicks again, over the Scottish try-line, and as the ball skews slightly away from him, he’s taken out! The Irish crowd goes nuts!
There’ll be a TMO review here and surely an Irish penalty at least.
14′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Irish penalty and a yellow card for Van der Merwe, who pushed Nash on his retreat.
Not deemed a penalty-try offence, which is fair enough due to where the ball bounced.
Still, Scotland down to 14 and Ireland have a big chance here, albeit their lineout has been patchy.
9 Feb
3:21PM
14′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: O’Mahony wins the ball at the front and Ireland roll towards the Scottish line — but it’s superb maul defence by the hosts who hold it up!
Goal-line drop-out. Missed chance by Ireland.
Meanwhile, Ryan Baird is off for a HIA, with Jack Conan on. Beirne has not yet returned so Ireland are going to need to reshuffle their pack here.
Jaysus, not 2023 again, surely…
9 Feb
3:22PM
16′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Scotland win a penalty on their own 22′ as an Irish attack runs into a cul de sac and they win the jackal on the ground.
Tadhg Beirne, by the way, has just come back into the fray. Jack Conan will head back off for now.
9 Feb
3:28PM
20′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Beirne does unbelievably to steal a lineout from the Scottish side and Prendergast chips into grass behind the Scottish backfield.
The Irish out-half charges down the attempted clearance kick and Scotland concede a penalty.
The chance, though, goes a-abegging for Ireland as they’re held up over the line for the second time.
Unreal Scottish maul defence again.
Crikey, we have to hope from an Irish perspective that they don’t regret these near misses.
9 Feb
3:31PM
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Oh goodness, just as James Lowe breaks down the left and Gibson-Park knocks on under pressure on the inside pass, Finn Russell and Darcy Graham have a massive head collision while they scramble in defence.
Russell might be okay — although he’ll need a HIA. Graham took a sickening hit off the out-half’s head.
Lengthy break in play here. Graham is receiving treatment on the field and definitely won’t return. Russell is off for a check.
9 Feb
3:33PM
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Tom Jordan to out-half. Staffie McDowell on at 12. Jamie Dobie on for Graham, who’s still being tended to on the field.
The poor wing will be leaving on the cart. Hopefully he’ll be alright.
9 Feb
3:35PM
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Graham seems responsive, anyway, as he’s wheeled off. Both sets of fans applauding the electrifying wing.
9 Feb
3:36PM
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Game restarts with a Scottish goal-line drop-out and Ireland win a penalty for hands in the ruck.
Extremely kickable, halfway between the Scottish 10′ and 22′, slightly left of centre.
23′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Prendergast goes two from two and Ireland lead by two scores.
Excellent start by Simon Easterby’s side, although they should really be further in front.
Duhan van der Merwe is back on for the hosts after his yellow.
9 Feb
3:42PM
26′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Unreal jackal win by Peter O’Mahony in the Irish 22′ thwarts Scotland’s longest sustained attack so far. O’Mahony clamped on under pressure from three cleaners.
Prendergast is kicking out of hand so well, too.
9 Feb
3:43PM
28′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Ireland putting Scotland under savage pressure on their exits. Two chargedowns in the last two minutes. Unlucky not to yield a chance, or even a score. Both have bobbled into touch near the Scottish five!
9 Feb
3:45PM
29′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Ireland, now, with the lineout deep inside the Scotland 22′ after a poor clearance by Ben White.
Finn Russell has his coat on over on the sideline by the way. Looking unlikely to come back on.
That’s a serious double blow for the Scots to lose both Russell and Graham, my goodness. So unfortunate.
Just as I type that, Russell goes back down the tunnel.
9 Feb
3:46PM
30′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Ireland attack wide left off the lineout. Huw Jones knocks on as he tackles Prendergast, so Ireland will have the scrum just inside the Scottish 22′. About 20 yards infield from the left-hand touchline.
Need to press home their dominance soon. They’re worth more than a 10-point advantage so far.
Ireland win the pen advantage at the scrum. Gibson-Park attacks blind and Prendergast almost rounds the corner. He presents it to the scrum-half again and off next phase, Doris crashes over!
Prendergast, from near the left-hand touchline, nails the kick once more!
Wow, what a first half by Ireland so far.
9 Feb
3:51PM
33′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Prendergast’s only error so far — a kick out on the full after Ireland had taken it back inside their 22′.
Scotland get a good platform but are unable to make inroads. Ireland’s defence has been immense.
Scotland eventually win a penalty back on halfway as Aki is pinged for offside. Jordan kicks them into the Irish 22′.
9 Feb
3:51PM
36′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Exceptional lineout steal by James Ryan! Ireland clear through Lowe. Big moment again!
9 Feb
3:53PM
37′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Some strong Scottish carries up the middle and they gain big yardage. Beirne is pinged — he’s unlucky as he kind of tripped over his own man into the breakdown I think.
Jordan kicks to the line inside the Irish 22′ again.
9 Feb
3:55PM
38′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Tadhg Beirne makes amends and destroys the Scottish lineout maul! Brilliant work by the Irish lock, and the pack overall. The life is sucked out of Murrayfield once more.
Jeez, that’s such an annoying try for Ireland to concede at the end of a half in which they were physically and psychologically dominant.
There would surely have been no way back for Scotland from 17-0 down. Instead, the margin is 12 after Van der Merwe’s try put a dent in converted scores by Calvin Nash and Caelan Doris, and a penalty by Sam Prendergast.
Scotland’s reply changes the complexion of things slightly but Ireland have been by far the better team otherwise.
43′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: Kinghorn from in front of the posts. Eight points in a row for Scotland on either side of the break.
Ireland need a response here.
9 Feb
4:18PM
44′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: Another little psychological boost for Scotland as they steal a lineout from under O’Mahony’s nose.
9 Feb
4:22PM
46′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: Scottish scrum just inside their own half. The hosts are building. Ireland need to curb this little surge of momentum.
They do the opposite! Robbie Henshaw shoots and Scotland break the line. Kinghorn marauds into the Irish 22′ and is stopped short of the line by Jamison Gibson-Park! Unbelievable work rate by the scrum-half.
Robbie Henshaw knocks a ball forward in a subsequent tackle and the TMO is going to take a look at whether or not it was deliberate.
It remains only a scrum, but it’s a big chance for the Scots now.
9 Feb
4:24PM
48′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: The hosts scrum it from six metres out.
White goes right and Dobie takes it to within inches! It’s brought back for a home penalty for an Irish offside at the scrum as the ball eventually goes forward from a Scottish hand.
Ireland buckle the Scottish scrum and win the advantage! They attack from side to side, and Scotland’s defence is heroic. But eventually Lowe punctures the hole and touches down — just — left of the Scottish posts.
Great finish by Lowe in the end, and Prendergast converts!
Ireland lead by 13 at Murrayfield!
9 Feb
4:33PM
56′ – SCO 11-24 IRE: Doris is pinged for offside and Scotland get another chance in the Irish 22′.
Jack Conan is on for POM, by the way.
Scotland attacking now just outside the Irish 22′. Solid defence by the visitors. Gibson-Park is such an underrated defender.
And Finlay Bealham wins the jackal penalty! Brilliant by the Connacht tighthead!
9 Feb
4:34PM
58′ – SCO 11-24 IRE: Garry Ringrose on for Aki. Henshaw into 12, Ringrose 13.
59′ - TRYYYYYYYYYYY!!! JACK CONAN!!! BONUS POINT!!!
Ah, it’s magic by Ireland!
Keenan spots space in the Scottish backfield and Gibson-Park box-chips beautifully over the top!
Keenan takes to the skies to catch the ball on the hop! He’s taken out in the air, pen advantage, but Ireland don’t need it! They swing it right and Conan buries over in contact!
Prendergast’s kick is off the mark but Ireland lead by 18. Four tries — bonus point in the bag!
9 Feb
4:39PM
60′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Jack Conan, moments after his score, wins a penalty at the breakdown after a brilliant chop-tackle by James Ryan.
Sheehan’s lineout throw over the 15 isn’t straight — so Scotland get the free-kick. But Ireland are dismantling Scotland’s efforts at the moment.
9 Feb
4:42PM
64′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Beautiful dink by Prendergast into touch towards the Scottish 5′. He’s been excellent.
Jack Crowley is on — but at fullback, I think? Yes, and Hugo Keenan shifts to the right wing as try-scorer Calvin Nash comes off.
9 Feb
4:43PM
67′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Baird into the second row now for Ryan, who was also really impressive.
9 Feb
4:44PM
68′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Sublime take by Crowley under pressure in the air.
Scotland later pull off a choke tackle on Ireland and win a scrum on halfway. But this game has been taken away from them by Ireland.
9 Feb
4:46PM
69′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Porter wins the scrum penalty for Ireland! Man of the match in my opinion — between him and Gibson-Park, anyway.
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As it happened: Scotland v Ireland, Six Nations
Right, here we go again!
Hope everyone is well — it’s Gavan Casey with you here and I’ll bring you live updates from Ireland’s Six Nations Round 2 trip to Scotland if you can’t make it to Murrayfield or to a TV.
The madness will begin at 3pm, where Scotland and Ireland will seek to further their title chances following France’s defeat to England last night.
What a championship it’s turning out to be already. If you’re into rugby at all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
We’ve got a big one on our hands in Edinburgh. The city has a greenish hue to it today with massive travelling numbers from Ireland.
Strap in! It’s almost showtime.
A few scene-setting pieces of writing for you if you’re missing the televised build-up:
Two from Murray Kinsella, who tees it up and also speaks with former Ireland underage wing Tommy Seymour, who wound up carving out a brilliant career with the Scots.
And one from myself on why there remains so much animosity between the two countries in a rugby context.
The Scots are up for this like never before.
As I touch upon in my aforementioned piece, they’ve lost 21 of 25 meetings with Ireland during the Six Nations era. Ireland have won the last 10, including the World Cup pool encounter in Paris in 2023.
Scotland have won 14 championships but their most recent was the final ever Five Nations in 1999. Ireland, meanwhile, have won 16 — and six since 2009.
The sands have shifted massively during the professional era but the Scots — quietly this week — feel like they’ve got a real chance of ending their Irish hoodoo at Murrayfield today.
Ireland, obviously, have other ideas.
With just over half an hour to go until kick-off, what’s your read on this one?
Poll Results:
A reminder of the lineups for each side this afternoon.
The hosts have made three changes from their bonus-point victory over Italy.
Tom Jordan comes in to pair up with Huw Jones in the centre while Rory Sutherland comes in at loosehead prop along with Jack Dempsey stepping in at number eight.
The inclusion of Jordan at 12 is intriguing: the Glasgow back has started only six games at inside centre in his entire career, club or country. He’ll complement Finn Russell as a second playmaker but on the other side of the ball, it’s a big test for him against Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw.
On the Irish side of the equation, Mack Hansen was ruled out yesterday and so Calvin Nash starts on the right wing.
Peter O’Mahony also gets the nod at blindside, primarily because Ireland are going to have a tougher day ahead of them than last week in the lineout, one would imagine.
That Irish bench could prove key once more.
SCOTLAND: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell (co-captain), Ben White; Rory Sutherland, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge (co-captain), Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman, Will Hurd, Sam Skinner, Gregor Brown, Jamie Ritchie, Jamie Dobie, Stafford McDowall.
IRELAND: Hugo Keenan; Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain).
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose.
Referee: James Doleman [New Zealand].
Ciarán Kennedy takes a closer look at the midfield battle here.
Anthems underway now in Edinburgh, beginning with Ireland’s Call.
Almost go-time.
I’m not breaking any new ground here but Flower of Scotland’s acapella chorus at Murrayfield is one of the best sounds in world sport. It’s magic.
Here we go!
Legendary British athlete Chris Hoy, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, brings out the ball at Murrayfield. The place suitably erupts. Six Olympic gold medals on the bike. What a man.
1′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Sam Prendergast gets the action going in the Scottish capital!
4′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Blair Kinghorn ends a bout of kick-tennis and chips ahead on transition. He regathers his own ball but spills it forward in contact.
Ireland gain a second knock-on advantage shortly afterwards and Sam Prendergast seeks Calvin Nash on the crossfield kick but it’s snuffed out.
Kiwi ref James Doleman brings it back for an Irish scrum just inside the Scottish half.
5′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Sensational set-piece attack by Ireland! Hands by Prendergast and Lowe unleash Robbie Henshaw who powers into the Scottish 22′ with the linebreak.
Ireland sustain an attack on the Scottish 5′ and win the penalty advantage. The visitors are unable to convert but they have a five-metre lineout from the pen.
Big chance!
6′ – SCO 0-0 IRE: Beirne takes the lineout cleanly and the Scots take down the maul illegally.
Penalty again — which will be played after Aki spills the ball thereafter.
Ireland go back to touch.
8′ – TRYYYYYYYYY! CALVIN NASH WITH THE FINISH!
WHAT A START BY IRELAND, AND WHAT A PASS BY SAM PRENDERGAST!
The Scots stop Caelan Doris off the lineout move, and then halt James Lowe. But Ireland go wide right with another offside advantage and Prendergast arrows one 30 yards to Nash in the right-hand corner.
The young out-half splits the posts with a difficult conversion to boot.
Ireland up by seven at Murrayfield!
9′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Scotland concede their third penalty on the restart but Ireland knock on the lineout over the top, poor by Peter O’Mahony. Murrayfield enjoyed that.
Tadhg Beirne, meanwhile, is off for a HIA. He’s replaced, for now, by Ryan Baird.
11′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Ireland put the Scottish scrum under serious pressure there but they get away with it. Some messy play from both sides ensues.
A positive sign for Ireland up front, though.
12′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Kelleher overthrows a lineout, or perhaps the jump was mistimed — but that’s two poor put-ins by Ireland.
14′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Ireland pounce upon some loose Scottish play and Calvin Nash fly-hacks into grass deep in Scottish territory!
Nash kicks again, over the Scottish try-line, and as the ball skews slightly away from him, he’s taken out! The Irish crowd goes nuts!
There’ll be a TMO review here and surely an Irish penalty at least.
14′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Irish penalty and a yellow card for Van der Merwe, who pushed Nash on his retreat.
Not deemed a penalty-try offence, which is fair enough due to where the ball bounced.
Still, Scotland down to 14 and Ireland have a big chance here, albeit their lineout has been patchy.
14′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: O’Mahony wins the ball at the front and Ireland roll towards the Scottish line — but it’s superb maul defence by the hosts who hold it up!
Goal-line drop-out. Missed chance by Ireland.
Meanwhile, Ryan Baird is off for a HIA, with Jack Conan on. Beirne has not yet returned so Ireland are going to need to reshuffle their pack here.
Jaysus, not 2023 again, surely…
16′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Scotland win a penalty on their own 22′ as an Irish attack runs into a cul de sac and they win the jackal on the ground.
Tadhg Beirne, by the way, has just come back into the fray. Jack Conan will head back off for now.
20′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Beirne does unbelievably to steal a lineout from the Scottish side and Prendergast chips into grass behind the Scottish backfield.
The Irish out-half charges down the attempted clearance kick and Scotland concede a penalty.
The chance, though, goes a-abegging for Ireland as they’re held up over the line for the second time.
Unreal Scottish maul defence again.
Crikey, we have to hope from an Irish perspective that they don’t regret these near misses.
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Oh goodness, just as James Lowe breaks down the left and Gibson-Park knocks on under pressure on the inside pass, Finn Russell and Darcy Graham have a massive head collision while they scramble in defence.
Russell might be okay — although he’ll need a HIA. Graham took a sickening hit off the out-half’s head.
Lengthy break in play here. Graham is receiving treatment on the field and definitely won’t return. Russell is off for a check.
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Tom Jordan to out-half. Staffie McDowell on at 12. Jamie Dobie on for Graham, who’s still being tended to on the field.
The poor wing will be leaving on the cart. Hopefully he’ll be alright.
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Graham seems responsive, anyway, as he’s wheeled off. Both sets of fans applauding the electrifying wing.
22′ – SCO 0-7 IRE: Game restarts with a Scottish goal-line drop-out and Ireland win a penalty for hands in the ruck.
Extremely kickable, halfway between the Scottish 10′ and 22′, slightly left of centre.
Shot called. On comes the tee.
23′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Prendergast goes two from two and Ireland lead by two scores.
Excellent start by Simon Easterby’s side, although they should really be further in front.
Duhan van der Merwe is back on for the hosts after his yellow.
26′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Unreal jackal win by Peter O’Mahony in the Irish 22′ thwarts Scotland’s longest sustained attack so far. O’Mahony clamped on under pressure from three cleaners.
Prendergast is kicking out of hand so well, too.
28′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Ireland putting Scotland under savage pressure on their exits. Two chargedowns in the last two minutes. Unlucky not to yield a chance, or even a score. Both have bobbled into touch near the Scottish five!
29′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Ireland, now, with the lineout deep inside the Scotland 22′ after a poor clearance by Ben White.
Finn Russell has his coat on over on the sideline by the way. Looking unlikely to come back on.
That’s a serious double blow for the Scots to lose both Russell and Graham, my goodness. So unfortunate.
Just as I type that, Russell goes back down the tunnel.
30′ – SCO 0-10 IRE: Ireland attack wide left off the lineout. Huw Jones knocks on as he tackles Prendergast, so Ireland will have the scrum just inside the Scottish 22′. About 20 yards infield from the left-hand touchline.
Need to press home their dominance soon. They’re worth more than a 10-point advantage so far.
31′ – TRYYYYYYYY! IT’S CAELAN DORIS!
Ireland win the pen advantage at the scrum. Gibson-Park attacks blind and Prendergast almost rounds the corner. He presents it to the scrum-half again and off next phase, Doris crashes over!
Prendergast, from near the left-hand touchline, nails the kick once more!
Wow, what a first half by Ireland so far.
33′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Prendergast’s only error so far — a kick out on the full after Ireland had taken it back inside their 22′.
Scotland get a good platform but are unable to make inroads. Ireland’s defence has been immense.
Scotland eventually win a penalty back on halfway as Aki is pinged for offside. Jordan kicks them into the Irish 22′.
36′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Exceptional lineout steal by James Ryan! Ireland clear through Lowe. Big moment again!
37′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Some strong Scottish carries up the middle and they gain big yardage. Beirne is pinged — he’s unlucky as he kind of tripped over his own man into the breakdown I think.
Jordan kicks to the line inside the Irish 22′ again.
38′ – SCO 0-17 IRE: Tadhg Beirne makes amends and destroys the Scottish lineout maul! Brilliant work by the Irish lock, and the pack overall. The life is sucked out of Murrayfield once more.
41′ – TRYYYYYY! VAN DER MERWE!
Oh, that’s criminal by Ireland. They had half-time at their fingertips but they couldn’t secure possession after the scrum inside their own 22′.
Scotland obliterate their ruck and Ireland are pinged for sealing off.
They tap and go, attack left, and Van der Merwe produces an incredible finish in the corner!
Kinghorn misses the extras but there’s life in Scotland yet!
That’s half-time.
Jeez, that’s such an annoying try for Ireland to concede at the end of a half in which they were physically and psychologically dominant.
There would surely have been no way back for Scotland from 17-0 down. Instead, the margin is 12 after Van der Merwe’s try put a dent in converted scores by Calvin Nash and Caelan Doris, and a penalty by Sam Prendergast.
Scotland’s reply changes the complexion of things slightly but Ireland have been by far the better team otherwise.
Catch you in a few!
41′ – SCO 5-17 IRE: Tom Jordan restarts the game at Murrayfield, fielded by Keenan and cleared by Gibson-Park to touch.
Huge 40 minutes ahead for both sides — and for the championship.
Buckle up once more!
41′ – SCO 5-17 IRE: Ireland have brought on Dan Sheehan for Rónan Kelleher at the break.
42′ – SCO 5-17 IRE: Scotland win a penalty in the Irish 22′ as Tadhg Beirne is unable to roll away at the breakdown.
Kinghorn will take the easy three and reduce the deficit to nine points.
43′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: Kinghorn from in front of the posts. Eight points in a row for Scotland on either side of the break.
Ireland need a response here.
44′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: Another little psychological boost for Scotland as they steal a lineout from under O’Mahony’s nose.
46′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: Scottish scrum just inside their own half. The hosts are building. Ireland need to curb this little surge of momentum.
They do the opposite! Robbie Henshaw shoots and Scotland break the line. Kinghorn marauds into the Irish 22′ and is stopped short of the line by Jamison Gibson-Park! Unbelievable work rate by the scrum-half.
Robbie Henshaw knocks a ball forward in a subsequent tackle and the TMO is going to take a look at whether or not it was deliberate.
It remains only a scrum, but it’s a big chance for the Scots now.
48′ – SCO 8-17 IRE: The hosts scrum it from six metres out.
White goes right and Dobie takes it to within inches! It’s brought back for a home penalty for an Irish offside at the scrum as the ball eventually goes forward from a Scottish hand.
Scotland are going to take the easy three again.
49′ – SCO 11-17 IRE: That’s 11 unanswered for the Scots. We’re back to a one-score game.
Ireland need to get to grips with this again. Things are getting spooky.
51′ – SCO 11-17 IRE: Ireland win a scrum on the Scottish 22′ as Scotland make a bags of collecting the restart.
Okay, let’s see Ireland get a move on here, now.
51′ – SCO 11-17 IRE: Scotland turn Nash over on the ground and escape.
Rushed by Ireland.
52′ – SCO 11-17 IRE: Scotland knock it back in the air and James Lowe sends Doris into space down the left!
Doris feeds Gibson-Park who chips and chases! Kinghorn regathers but Gibson-Park drags him down inside the Scottish in-goal!
Five-metre scrum for Ireland out of nothing!
54′ – TRYYYYYYYYYYY!!! JAMES LOWE!!!
Ireland buckle the Scottish scrum and win the advantage! They attack from side to side, and Scotland’s defence is heroic. But eventually Lowe punctures the hole and touches down — just — left of the Scottish posts.
Great finish by Lowe in the end, and Prendergast converts!
Ireland lead by 13 at Murrayfield!
56′ – SCO 11-24 IRE: Doris is pinged for offside and Scotland get another chance in the Irish 22′.
Jack Conan is on for POM, by the way.
Scotland attacking now just outside the Irish 22′. Solid defence by the visitors. Gibson-Park is such an underrated defender.
And Finlay Bealham wins the jackal penalty! Brilliant by the Connacht tighthead!
58′ – SCO 11-24 IRE: Garry Ringrose on for Aki. Henshaw into 12, Ringrose 13.
59′ - TRYYYYYYYYYYY!!! JACK CONAN!!! BONUS POINT!!!
Ah, it’s magic by Ireland!
Keenan spots space in the Scottish backfield and Gibson-Park box-chips beautifully over the top!
Keenan takes to the skies to catch the ball on the hop! He’s taken out in the air, pen advantage, but Ireland don’t need it! They swing it right and Conan buries over in contact!
Prendergast’s kick is off the mark but Ireland lead by 18. Four tries — bonus point in the bag!
60′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Jack Conan, moments after his score, wins a penalty at the breakdown after a brilliant chop-tackle by James Ryan.
Sheehan’s lineout throw over the 15 isn’t straight — so Scotland get the free-kick. But Ireland are dismantling Scotland’s efforts at the moment.
64′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Beautiful dink by Prendergast into touch towards the Scottish 5′. He’s been excellent.
Jack Crowley is on — but at fullback, I think? Yes, and Hugo Keenan shifts to the right wing as try-scorer Calvin Nash comes off.
67′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Baird into the second row now for Ryan, who was also really impressive.
68′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Sublime take by Crowley under pressure in the air.
Scotland later pull off a choke tackle on Ireland and win a scrum on halfway. But this game has been taken away from them by Ireland.
69′ – SCO 11-29 IRE: Porter wins the scrum penalty for Ireland! Man of the match in my opinion — between him and Gibson-Park, anyway.
70′ – SCO 11-31 IRE: Sam Prendergast strokes over the scrum pen from about 45 metres. Exquisite strike.
Ireland lead by three converted tries with 10 to go.
71′ – SCO 11-32 IRE: Cian Healy on for Porter, Murray on for JGP too.
Scotland with the attacking lineout on the Irish 22′ and Tadhg Beirne has obliterated yet another Scottish maul! Incredible by the Munster lock.
76′ – Try! Scotland’s diligence eventually sees them cross for a consolation score through Ben White.
Kinghorn chips over the afters.
79′ – SCO 18-32 IRE: Sam Prendergast is named man of the match. He’s been outstanding.
That’ll do it.
A bonus-point success for Ireland at Murrayfield.
They weathered the storm on either side of half-time and got the job done, dominantly in the end.
Keep an eye on The 42 for Murray Kinsella’s match report as well as reaction and analysis!
Thanks for joining me for these live updates. Catch you in a couple of weeks!
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