Ireland v Scotland LIVE: Result and reaction as Ireland win 2024 Six Nations title
Ireland 17-13 Scotland: Andy Farrell’s men edge to victory in Dublin to seal the 2024 Six Nations title
Ireland claimed a nervy 17-13 victory over Scotland in Dublin to seal back-to-back Six Nations titles. Ireland saw their grand slam dreams crushed by England last week but quickly bounced back to win the championship, although they were made to work hard for the win.
Andy Farrell’s men only needed to avoid defeat to guarantee that they would be lifting the trophy at the Aviva Stadium and they led 7-6 at half-time thanks to Dan Sheehan’s try following an overthrown lineout.
They then roared out of the blocks in the second half and moved 17-6 ahead with Andrew Porter’s try, meaning Huw Jones’s late score was only a consolation for the Scots and the hosts saw the game out to spark celebrations at the Aviva Stadium.
For their part, Gregor Townsend’s troops were smarting following a shock 31-29 defeat to Italy last time out that scuppered their title chances and although they put in an improved performance in Dublin, they have now lost 10 straight matches against Ireland and a Six Nations that started with so much promise will ultimately go down as a failure after just two wins.
Relive all the action with our blog below:
KICK-OFF! Ireland 7-6 Scotland
And we’re back underway in Dublin. Ireland 40 minutes away from Six Nations glory. Or are Scotland 40 minutes away from a seismic shock?
WATCH: First-half highlights from Ireland v Scotland
Not much by way of highlights in that first half but here’s a couple...
HALF-TIME! Ireland 7-6 Scotland
HALF-TIME! Ireland 7-6 Scotland
Tense, cagey affair in Dublin. Dan Sheehan’s score off George Turner’s overthrown lineout is the only try of the first half and the story has been Scotland frustrating Ireland with their stifling defence.
This game is in the balance and Ireland will need to find a way through.
Ireland 7-6 Scotland, 40+4 mins
Half-gap slipped through by Crowley but this Scotland defence is a blue wall. And the pass bounces into touch, so that’s half-time
Ireland 7-6 Scotland, 40+2 mins
Slight room down the left for Sheehan but he throws the ball inside, on the deck and Kinghorn boots into the Irish backfield and hares after it.
Good covering by Nash, who slips under Kinghorn’s tackle, which is slightly high, and makes some ground in return. Back for the penalty for the tackle though and Ireland opt to kick to halfway to try and score before the break
Ireland 7-6 Scotland, 40 mins
Some running room for Ireland to the right and Lowe takes it into contact after 10 metres of ground gained. Scotland’s defence then stiffens and the air once again goes out of the attack as the hosts are forced back towards halfway.
Ireland 7-6 Scotland, 39 mins
The atmosphere is slightly flat at the Aviva, by the way. Nervous tension from the fans? Understandable if so.
That’s not great from Scotland though. Gibson-Park hares off the base of the scrum to close down Russell and the fly half’s pass is errant, going forward. Superb from Ireland’s No 9 to win his side a scrum.
Ireland 7-6 Scotland, 37 mins
Scotland are forcing Irish errors here. They’re bang in this match - can they last 80 minutes and find a way to pierce the green wall though?
McDowall manages to hold up his man in a tackle on halfway and win Scotland a scrum. Slaps on the back for the centre.
MISSED PENALTY! Ireland 7-6 Scotland, 35 mins
Not there from Jack Crowley. A long kick and it drifts wide left. The fact Ireland even went for that shows how tight this game is.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies