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 15:52 · Jack de Menezes]

66 mins: Ireland 28-16 Scotland

He makes no mistake with his first effort at goal and the lead increases to 12.

[5 December 2020 15:52 · Jack de Menezes]

66 mins: Ireland 25-16 Scotland

Ritchie manages to get onto the ball and thinks he’s got the turnover, but he’s only done so because Brown and Zander Fagerson haven’t rolled away and the penalty goes in Ireland’s favour. In front of the posts, Byrne will go for the simple shot at goal.

[5 December 2020 15:49 · Jack de Menezes]

64 mins: Ireland 25-16 Scotland

Another penalty goes in Ireland’s favour as Earls is taken out off the ball by Brown chasing a kick, and Jamie Ritchie gets a stern telling off for screaming at referee Matthew Carley after expressing his frustration with the decision. Sexton kicks to the corner, but it will be his last input in the match as he’s heading off with what looks to be another hamstring injury. Ross Byrne is on at fly-half in his place.

[5 December 2020 15:47 · Jack de Menezes]

63 mins: Ireland 25-16 Scotland

It seems as though the incident in question is Quinn Roux’s hands on the face of Fraser Brown, but replays don’t show any contact with the eye area and play is waved on.

[5 December 2020 15:46 · Jack de Menezes]

63 mins: Ireland 25-16 Scotland

Ireland come up with the goods as Porter wins a penalty in the scrum to relieve the pressure and allow Sexton to kick to touch.

There’s a break in play though as there’s been an accusation of an eye-gouge, and this could be serious.

[5 December 2020 15:43 · Jack de Menezes]

60 mins: Ireland 25-16 Scotland

Ireand are trying to work an immediate response as Murray fields the ball deep to Sexton, who has Stockdale for company. He chips over the defence and the bounce leaves Hogg high and dry due to a boatload of back spin, allowing Earls to chase onto it and continue the attack. However, despite taking the ascendancy Brown manages to get his hands on the ball after stopping Van der Flier and the turnover penalty comes, with Scotland then winning an immediate second penalty from the lineout. 

Price goes quickly, and Ireland concede a third straight penalty for not retreating 10m, allowing Hogg to kick to touch inside the Irish 22. What a turnaround.

[5 December 2020 15:40 · Jack de Menezes]

56 mins: Ireland 25-16 Scotland

What a try! Duhan van der Merwe’s reputation goes before him, and he’s certainly delivered with a wonderful solo effort. The wing comes in looking for work and picks from the base to catch Herring napping. He breaks away and is one-on-one with Stockdale, and he gasses the full-back on the outside to score Scotland’s first try of the match. Van der Welt converts and the gap is cut to nine points. 

[5 December 2020 15:37 · Jack de Menezes]

56 mins: Ireland 25-14 Scotland

TRY FOR SCOTLAND!

[5 December 2020 15:35 · Jack de Menezes]

53 mins: Ireland 25-9 Scotland

Scotland need something to stem the tide flowing their way, and they get something as Roux is penalised for tackling Van der Merwe off the ball. They fire the kick to touch on the edge of the Ireland 22, and really need to take points - preferably a try - away here.

[5 December 2020 15:33 · Jack de Menezes]

50 mins: Ireland 25-9 Scotland

Stockdale carries deep on the right to create space on the opposite side, and quick hands from O’Mahony sees the flanker release Keith Earls to sprint home for his second try of the match. The pass from O’Mahony looked a little suspect as it seemed to come out the front of his hands, but the officials are happy and it stands to extend the lead to 16 thanks to Sexton’s conversion.