Ireland vs Scotland LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result as superb Irish punish Scots to reach quarter-finals
Ireland 36-14 Scotland: The Irish produced a statement performance and a clinical attacking display in Paris to set up a quarter-final clash with New Zealand
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Ireland bulldozed into the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals by crushing Scotland 36-14 to earn a a bonus-point victory that also sent defending champions South Africa through.
Top-ranked Ireland, who finished first in Pool B with 19 points, will face New Zealand for a semi-final place next weekend while South Africa take on hosts France.
Ireland capitalised on a fast start as James Lowe touched down after 63 seconds before Hugo Keenan twice, Iain Henderson, Dan Sheehan and Garry Ringrose crossed the line and Johnny Sexton added three conversions to give Andy Farrell’s side their 17th test win in a row.
Scotland, suffering their ninth consecutive defeat by the Irish, scored two consolation tries in the second half through Ewan Ashman and Ali Price, which Finn Russell converted.
Follow all the action as Ireland face Scotland in Pool B plus get the latest tips and odds for the match right here:
Ireland march past Scotland and give the World Cup a performance to fear
The pool of death chose its victim; Ireland most decisively wielded the scythe. So much for nip-and-tuck contest befitting a knockout occasion – Scotland were swept away like flotsam in a sea of Irish green. If their win over the Springboks was a statement of Rugby World Cup candidacy, here was the sort of showing to strike fear into opponents to come, perhaps the best performance of a winning run now extended through a 17th game.
Just as a fortnight ago against South Africa, Irish visitors made their way in their thousands down the Parisienne walkways into their home away from home, the Stade de France verdant and vibrant throughout. How their fans will now believe that there might even be three more nights like this to come, with only a handful of injury frets to count as the cost from a performance of Celtic colossi.
It will be the All Blacks next Saturday night for Ireland, a mighty foe to be conquered. If this isn’t the year that the last eight hoodoo is ended, then perhaps it never will be. Certainly it will take some side to wipe away the emerald smile.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s report from the Stade de France below:
Ireland march past Scotland and give the World Cup a performance to fear
Ireland 36-14 Scotland: Ireland secured top spot in Pool B with a magnificent display in Paris to knock Scotland out of the World Cup
Jamie Ritchie, Scotland captain, speaking to ITV after the game
“Disappointment is a good word [to sum up the game]. You have to credit Ireland - they were the better team on the night. We thought we had enough but we didn’t put it out there tonight. Proud of how we stayed in the fight and got a few scores back but we need to be better.
“It’s a tough one. We fully believed that we had enough to beat them but it just wasn’t our night.
“It’s a bit raw just now looking at it. We had two big games and we had to get one right but we didn’t get either of them right so we need to look within ourselves and see where we can be better but I’m proud of the group and the way we have been with each other throughout this campaign.
“It’s a hard thing to do to be away from your families and loved ones for such a long time and be with a group of blokes but I couldn’t have asked for a better group and I’m really proud of how we’ve stuck together throughout this period/ But we need to be better on the field in these big games and that’s what we’ll look to do going forward.”
Gregor Townsend, Scotland head coach, talking to BBC Sport after the game
“They were very clinical, very accurate and I thought they put a huge effort in defensively when we had a bit of pressure in that first 20 minutes. They are an outstanding team and we saw that tonight.
“When you play the top teams, you’ve got to take your opportunities and we didn’t do that. That was probably our best period of the game and when the game was lost we did come back into it.
“I’m proud of the effort in the second half. The game had gotten away from us, so we focused on winning back respect. To get two tries against such a top team, we’ll take a little bit out of that.
“We’re very disappointed with the result and the first-half performance, but credit to Ireland who were very good.”
Jonny Sexton, Ireland captain, speaking to ITV after the game
“I thought it wouldn’t get any better after the South Africa game but the fans proved me wrong again. They were incredible. They keep turning up for us and it’s important we keep turning up for them. We’re delighted to win the pool and we know this is where we want to be now against the toughest opposition we can get in the quarter-final.
“The way the draw was made three years ago turned out a bit unfair but it was the hand we were dealt and now we’ve got to be ready for New Zealand next week.”
FULL-TIME: Ireland 36-14 Scotland
Harry Latham-Coyle reporting from the Stade de France:
"Let the party begin. The Scottish shirts have disappeared into the Paris night but the floods of green jersey remain, swaying to the Irish beat. What a performance that was - and surely fans of Andy Farrell's side will now believe there could yet be three more visits here before this tournament is over."
FULL-TIME: Ireland 36-14 Scotland
Contrasting emotions at full-time:
FULL-TIME: Ireland 36-14 Scotland
Such a clinical performance from Ireland and they will go into that crunch quarter-final clash against the Kiwis full of confidence.
An unbeaten group stage - could this finally be their year?
FULL-TIME: Ireland 36-14 Scotland
Scotland attempt a late burst through Van Der Merwe but nothing is doing and Ireland punt the ball into the stands.
Scotland’s World Cup dreams come to an end in crushing fashion. They were simply blitzed in that first half and had no response for the excellent Irish attack.
Sexton’s men will go on to face New Zealand next but it’s another group-stage exit fro Scotland.
DISALLOWED! Ireland 36-14 Scotland
80 mins: Bealham thinks he has gone over for a late try but TMO has picked up a knock on in the build-up and the try won’t stand.
Ireland 36-14 Scotland
78 mins: A penalty from the scrum as Ireland head to the corner for one final time in this game.
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