Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Ireland vs Scotland LIVE: Six Nations 2020 result and updates from today’s clash

Follow all the latest from the meeting at Aviva Stadium

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 01 February 2020 19:00 GMT
Comments
Six Nations: Ireland in profile

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ireland take on Scotland at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon as the duo kick off their Six Nations campaign.

Gregor Townsend knows his Scottish side will have to pull out all the stops to defeat and Ireland outift who have won 15 of their past 16 Tests at home and are beginning a new era under head coach Andy Farrell.

Wales have set the early running with fast start against Italy in Cardiff at lunchtime and both of these sides will want to join them in beginning with a win. Follow it live after the conclusion of Wales vs Italy:

Match preview:

When is it?

Wales vs Italy takes place on Saturday 1 February at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 4:45pm GMT.

TV channel?

The match will be shown live on ITV from 4pm. Highlights will be on ITV at 10:40pm on Sunday.

Viewers can also watch the match online on the ITV Hub from 4pm.

Teams

Ireland: Jordan Larmour; Andrew Conway, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Tadhg Furlong; Iain Henderson, James Ryan; CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Scotland: Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Huw Jones, Sam Johnson, Blair Kinghorn; Adam Hastings, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Frase Brown, Zander Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray; Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Nick Haining.

13 minutes

Wales squander the chance as George North fumbles on the crash ball, but when Italy kick long, their chase is poorly structured, and Leigh Halfpenny's chip finds a great swathe of green grass. There's a trip from Andrea Lovotti on the full-back, as well, not enough to take him down but enough to knock him off route, and when Tomos Williams (who has been literally everywhere in support as all nines should be) loses the race for the fly-hacked ball, Luke Pearce brings everyone back for a penalty 40 metres from goal.

Central again, and yep - Biggar fancies another go at the sticks.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:33

PENALTY! Wales 9-0 Italy

You know the drill. Three more for Dan Biggar.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:34

17 minutes

Italy again fall foul of the referee's whistle at the breakdown, and again it is fine work from a Welsh jackal-er. Nick Tompkins this time is the successful scavenger - he's good in that regard, I tell you, with a compact, broad-chested frame and strong anchoring back.

Wales lineout in the Italian half.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:35

TRY! Set-piece strike and Josh Adams sprints over in the corner!

Luke Pearce will check with the TMO, but that looks like a try! And it is!

It's all too easy for Wales. An effective lineout throw, catch and transfer, and a ball out the back from Dan Biggar with two dummy runners draws the Italian defence, who clump infield and leave the last mine on the line exposed. 

Leonardo Sarto is caught infield, Leigh Halfpenny burns on the inside and draws and passes to take out Matteo Minozzi, and Adams has the sliver of space he needs to race away and dive over, keeping his feet up in the air to ensure he is not in touch.

Biggar fails to add the extra two, but that's a big tick in the box for Wayne Pivac and attack coach Stephen Jones.

Wales 14-0 Italy

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:35

21 minutes

This has been a really poor showing from Italy so far. Wales are beating them to every ball in the air and on the floor, and their kicking has been too long and misdirected. They are inviting Wales to attack, and they are attacking well.

There's a perfect example - Tommaso Allan is favourite for Leigh Halfpenny's high bomb but allows himself to be beaten by the full-back in the air. Scrum, Welsh feed. Johnny McNicholl will soon be back with us.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:40

Dan Biggar has slotted three penalties with Wales in the early ascendancy in Cardiff.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:41

23 minutes

Nick Tompkins' stay was a short one - McNicholl returns. Still, a positive impact from Tompkins.

Italy scrum well - first they earn a free kick after Wales drive early, and then a straight arm penalty for collapsing with Andrea Lovotti and Giosue Zilocchie both winning their battles.

Oh dear - the kick for touch is sliced and taken in comfort some seven metres infield.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:43

25 minutes

A glimpse of George North in the open field, on second phase off the set-piece after a powerful burst from Hadleigh Parkes allows quick ball. North gets on the outside arc and gets his arm free, but an ambitious offload just evades McNicholl with chalk on his boots hugging the touchline. An Italian hand was involved in the transfer - Welsh lineout throw.

And that's a misfire - Ken Owens overthrows, but Wales soon have the ball back in their own half.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:44

27 minutes

A rather flat atmosphere in Cardiff at the moment, despite Wales' strong start. Two good box kicks by Tomos Williams invite a ripple of applause - first high off the right and allowing his chaser to climb and retrieve it, and then spotting the space left by the man beaten in the aerial battle to push a lower box down the touchline with his left. It eventually rolls out of play five metres out, and though Italy are smart to throw quickly and clear, Wales do have the lineout 25 metres from the Italian line.

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:46

28 minutes

And a high tackle in midfield allows Dan Biggar to push the ball back into that corner. Ken Owens has a chat with the rest of the forwards and throws to Aaron Wainwright at the tail. Here comes the drive...

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2020 14:47

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in