Ireland vs Scotland LIVE: Result and latest reaction from Autumn Nations Cup

Follow the latest updates from the third-place play-off at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland celebrate after Keith Earls score his second try of the match against Scotland (PA)

Follow the latest updates as Ireland take on Scotland in the battle to claim third in the Autumn Nations Cup as Finals Weekend continues.

After Georgia and Fiji raised the curtain on today’s action, it’s the turn of the two group runners-up to take centre stage in the third-place play-off. It’s of course not the game that either wanted to be in, with Ireland coming unstuck against England earlier in the tournament while Scotland lost their decider to the French, but both sides have signalled their intent to end the year on a high with the Six Nations just around the corner.

Ireland will be led by returning captain Johnny Sexton who has recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in the opening game against Wales, while Scotland turn to debutant fly-half Jaco van der Welt in the hope of finding a replacement for injured duo Finn Russell and Adam Hastings. Follow the live updates below.

Ireland vs Scotland key points

• Ireland 31-16 Scotland
• Earls scores opening try of the match
• Scotland reduced to 14 men after Duncan Taylor sin-binned
• Healy adds second early in the second half
• Earls adds his second to assert commanding lead
• Scotland respond through Van der Merwe’s solo effort

[5 December 2020 17:51 · Jack de Menezes]

46 mins: Wales 17-13 Italy

Sheedy kicks his first penalty effort at goal and increases the lead to four. Wales remain down to 14 for another three minutes, by the way.

[5 December 2020 17:50 · Jack de Menezes]

45 mins: Wales 14-13 Italy

Another penalty goes against Italy as Mbemba is told not to go for the ball, then goes for it anyway as he cannot resist the turnover. Sheedy will go for goal right in front of the posts.

[5 December 2020 17:49 · Jack de Menezes]

43 mins: Wales 14-13 Italy

Italy cough up the first penalty of the second half through captain Bigi, but there’s a concern for Lloyd after he attempted to stop Ioane and received a big whack for his efforts. He’s ok to continue after treatment for his shoulder, and Sheedy sends the penalty to touch on the Italian 22.

[5 December 2020 17:47 · Jack de Menezes]

41 mins: Wales 14-13 Italy

Italy see their first attack of the half come to nothing as a very deep back line is easily shuffled across the pitch and into touch.

[5 December 2020 17:45 · Jack de Menezes]

41 mins: Wales 14-13 Italy

After an unusually long half-time break, the players return and Italy get the second half under way!

[5 December 2020 17:33 · Jack de Menezes]

Half-time: Wales 14-13 Italy

What has happened to Wales? They’ve completely lost their composure here and have conceded an alarming eight penalties in that opening half that inevitably led to Adams seeing yellow.

The surprising aspect is that they made such a bright start, with Faletau and Tipuric prominent in both tries as Hardy and Parry profited from their creative play.

However, to their credit Italy have refused to be beaten and have actually looked very solid in their play, with their ball retention better than normal and penalties being punished with points. There’s everything to play for in a pivotal second half for Wayne Pivac.

[5 December 2020 17:30 · Jack de Menezes]

40 mins: Wales 14-13 Italy

Italy make hard work of the restart, but see the clock through to 40 minutes and put the ball out to end a surprisingly even first half!

Wales 14-13 Italy

[5 December 2020 17:28 · Jack de Menezes]

39 mins: Wales 14-13 Italy

Garbisi’s effort is on target and the lead is cut to one. Game on!

[5 December 2020 17:28 · Jack de Menezes]

38 mins: Wales 14-10 Italy

Italy break! Varney is sent away by Mbanda and racing clear of Lewis-Hughes, and he steps Lloyd before being stopped by Adams. The Welsh wing clearly doesn’t release the tackle and goes off his feet in the process to try and steal the ball, and Barne shas had enough and sends him to the sin-bin!

Wales down to 14 and Garbisi will kick for goal.

[5 December 2020 17:26 · Jack de Menezes]

37 mins: Wales 14-10 Italy

Wales are slightly at sea here as Sheedy drops a high kick, but before he recollects it Sperandio takes him out and concedes a needless penalty. Wales go to touch to try and swing momentum back in his favour.