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:
Ireland v Scotland
Ireland are within touching distance of retaining the Guinness Six Nations title as they host Scotland.
Andy Farrell’s men were denied potential back-to-back Grand Slams by last weekend’s 23-22 defeat to England but remain in pole position to win the tournament.
Here are some of the main talking points ahead of today’s match in Dublin.
Dublin set for another title party – Ireland v Scotland talking points
Ireland are seeking a 10th win in a row against the Scots.
Scotland team news
Gregor Townsend hands a surprise start to Stafford McDowall at inside centre, with the tall Glasgow centre in good form at club level and picked partly to counter Ireland’s midfield physicality. Ben White returns at scrum half while the starting forward pack is unchanged. Rory Sutherland bolsters the bench as loosehead cover for Pierre Schoeman, replacing Alec Hepburn.
Scotland XV: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson; 4 Grant Gilchrist, 5 Scott Cummings; 6 Andy Christie, 7 Rory Darge (co-capt.), 8 Jack Dempsey; 9 Ben White, 10 Finn Russell; 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 12 Stafford McDowall, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Kyle Steyn; 15 Blair Kinghorn.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Matt Fagerson; 21 George Horne, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Kyle Rowe.
Ireland team newss
Calvin Nash is passed fit to play for Ireland despite leaving the field with a head injury in the opening minutes of the defeat to England, allowing Andy Farrell to name an unchanged starting side. There are changes on the bench with Farrell moving away from a six/two forwards/backs split, with Harry Byrne and Garry Ringrose joining Conor Murray as the backline replacements.
Ireland XV: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong; 4 Joe McCarthy, 5 Tadhg Beirne; 6 Peter O’Mahony (capt.), 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris; 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Jack Crowley; 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Calvin Nash; 15 Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Ryan Baird, 20 Jack Conan; 21 Conor Murray, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Garry Ringrose.
Ireland v Scotland
Kick off is rapidly approaching in Dublin, with an expectant home crowd making their way in to the Aviva Stadium. Let’s take a closer look at the two teams...
The one thing Ireland must prove as they face Six Nations title decider
Ireland aren’t used to losing in the Six Nations. It had been so long since they endured defeat against one of their northern hemisphere rivals that they may even have forgotten what it feels like.
It would be easy to internalise the frustration of being beaten 23-22 by England last weekend and channel it in the wrong way, leading to a downward spiral. But they’re aware they can’t afford to be defined by the pain.
The one thing Ireland must prove as they face Six Nations title decider
After disappointment against England for the boys in green last week, Farrell’s men will be looking to bounce back and secure back-to-back Six Nations by beating Scotland, who may find redeeming themselves from defeat against Italy that little bit tougher
Andy Farrell dismisses talk of Six Nations ‘anti-climax’ after Grand Slam bid ends
Andy Farrell dismissed suggestions retaining the Guinness Six Nations title could now feel like an anti-climax after Ireland’s hyped quest for back-to-back Grand Slams was crushed.
The reigning champions looked well placed to make history by delivering consecutive tournament clean sweeps before suffering the last-gasp loss to title rivals England at Twickenham.
Andy Farrell dismisses talk of Six Nations ‘anti-climax’ after Grand Slam bid ends
Avoiding defeat to Scotland on St Patrick’s Day will almost certainly ensure Ireland keep hold of their crown.
Peter O’Mahony keen for Ireland to avoid ‘torture’ of waiting on England result
Peter O’Mahony is determined to prevent the “torture” of another tense Guinness Six Nations finale but admits Ireland are aware of all possible permutations ahead of Saturday’s title decider against Scotland.
Andy Farrell’s men will retain the championship crown by avoiding defeat or claiming two bonus points on ‘Super Saturday’ in Dublin, while a single bonus point is also likely to be sufficient.
However, a pointless loss would leave Ireland sweating on the outcome of England’s clash with France in the final round-five fixture.
Peter O’Mahony keen for Ireland to avoid ‘torture’ of waiting on England result
A pointless loss would leave Ireland sweating on the outcome of England’s clash with France.
Andy Farrell wary of Scotland’s Triple Crown incentive against Ireland
Andy Farrell believes the chance to end a 34-year Triple Crown drought makes Scotland a major threat to Ireland’s Guinness Six Nations title bid.
Farrell’s reigning champions are on the cusp of retaining their crown and will do so on Saturday evening by avoiding defeat to the Scots or claiming two losing bonus points.
Gregor Townsend’s visitors, who have the slimmest of chances of snatching the title, will be desperate to bounce back in Dublin after being embarrassed by Italy last weekend.
Andy Farrell wary of Scotland’s Triple Crown incentive against Ireland
Farrell’s reigning champions are on the cusp of retaining their crown.
Scotland confirm plans for exciting summer tour
Ireland will head to South Africa this summer for an eagerly-anticipated series, but Scotland’s July business looks like all sorts of fun, too. The SRU confirmed yesterday that Gregor Townsend’s side are headed for the Americas, four fixtures against four different sides sure to offer plenty of intrigue.
Jamison Gibson-Park: St Patrick’s Day party a big incentive for Ireland
Jamison Gibson-Park feels the prospect of igniting another St Patrick’s weekend party in Dublin is a “massive” incentive to help Ireland swiftly move on from an agonising 23-22 defeat to England.
Andy Farrell’s men were on the verge of retaining the Guinness Six Nations title with a game to spare before being punished by Marcus Smith’s last-gasp drop goal at Twickenham.
The “gutting” late drama halted Ireland’s pursuit of consecutive Grand Slams but they will still win the championship if they beat Scotland today.
Jamison Gibson-Park: St Patrick’s Day party a big incentive for Ireland
The scrum-half is eager to once again lift silverware on home soil.
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