Scotland vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Final score and result from Six Nations game today
Ireland took another step towards the Grand Slam
Wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe scored a try each for Ireland as flyhalf Johnny Sexton became the joint leading scorer in Six Nations history following a pulsating 22-7 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Replacement number eight Jack Conan scored Ireland’s third try as they turned up the heat in the second half despite the loss of both hookers to injury, leading to flanker Josh van der Flier throwing in at the line-out and three props in the front row of the scrum.
Scotland were in the game at halftime as they trailed 8-7 having scored a try through centre Huw Jones, which will give them some confidence heading into the Rugby World Cup where they face Ireland and South Africa in their pool with only two teams to advance to the quarter-finals.
Ireland, who have claimed the Triple Crown and have their sights now set on a Grand Slam, lead the Six Nations table with 19 points from four games, four ahead of second-placed France.
They host England in their final game next Saturday while Scotland welcome Italy.
Scotland vs Ireland
Stuart Hogg wanders out of the Murrayfield tunnel with his two sons alongside him and daughter Olivia in his arms. He’s greeted with a great roar, and there is also a wonderfully warm reception from the crowd for Garry Ringrose.
Scotland vs Ireland
The two sets of players begin to ready themselves in the dressing rooms, slapping one another to charge their muscles ready for the contest.
Garry Ringrose will lead Ireland out as he wins his 50th cap; Stuart Hogg likewise heads the Scottish line as he hits double that tally.
Scotland vs Ireland - Applause in memory of Siobhan Cattigan
Before kick off, a pause for applause in memory of the late Scottish number eight Siobhan Cattigan, who died in November 2021. Cattigan’s family have launched a legal case against Scottish Rugby and World Rugby after revealing to The Times that they felt the Scottish union had mismanaged a brain injury that ultimately led to the 26-year-old’s death.
An overdue moment to remember a talented player whose life ended much too soon.
Scotland vs Ireland
We haven’t really touched on the two fly-halves yet, but the influence that Finn Russell and Johnny Sexton exert on their respective sides requres little further exploration. Sexton needs only eight points to surpass Ronan O’Gara as the top points scorer in competition history, while you’d think that a Scottish win may require more Russell conjuring.
Scotland vs Ireland - Match Officials
It is an all English team of officials in Edinburgh this afternoon, with Luke Pearce given the whistle and two more international referees supporting him from the touchlines. Kieran Crowley was pretty punchy about Damon Murphy’s contribution to Italy’s defeat in Rome yesterday - Pearce, whose uber-communicative style and preference for haste in all facets tend to be liked by most players, will be hoping that neither head coach is quite as riled come the full time whistle.
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
ARs: Wayne Barnes (RFU) & Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)
Scotland vs Ireland - Andy Farrell is next in front of the microphone
“We are here now and there is an expectation of what we want to deliver ourselves today,” the Ireland head coach says to the BBC. “Game day is all about delivering.
“They have threats all over the field and are playing some fantastic rugby at this moment in time.
“It takes all sorts to win a championship. We expect the conditions to be a bit blustery out there, but we’ll adapt to that.”
Scotland vs Ireland - Gregor Townsend speaks to the BBC
The Scotland head coach says: “You’ve got to play close to your best level. We’ve got to win the contact, slow down Irish ball, stop them getting into phase shape. We’ve got to get quick ball - it is the best way of attacking for any team and help get our weapons into the game. We’ve got to be consistent right throughout the 80 minutes.
“They are very cohesive as a team. Teams that start really well are confident with what they are doing. We feel in the England game and the Wales game we were in place with our effort and energy, and maybe weren’t ambitious enough. We certainly want our players to go for it today if there are opportunities.
On Stuart Hogg’s 100th cap” “Massive. He was the best player for Scotland in a number of teams when the team wasn’t going well. He’s beeen a very good connector on the field. He’s the loudest player on the field defensively. This week he’s been flying in training. He’ll thrive in today’s atmosphere - we hope it is a great day for him.”
100 up for Stuart Hogg
Stuart Hogg becomes only the fourth Scotsman to hit 100 international appearances this afternoon, the full back bringing up his century at only 30 - you’d think he’ll still have plenty more caps to come. Hogg hasn’t perhaps been at his bubbling best in this campaign but he’s knitted things together neatly when required, and he’ll really fancy a standout performance today.
In a lovely touch, Hogg’s match shirt was presented to him this week by Scotland’s other three male centurions - Ross Ford, Chris Paterson and Sean Lamont.
“It is going to be a hell of a challenge for us but one we are ready for and excited about,” said Hogg ahead of this encounter. “We have prepped well for it.
“You want to play against the best players and the best team, and to have Ireland here, the number one ranked team in world rugby, is just quality for us.
“We’re hugely excited for it. Ireland are up there for a reason - they’re incredibly good individually and collectively as a rugby team, and their record speaks volumes.
“Myself and the rest of the boys respect them and admire them hugely, but we also know we can do a job on them and that’s one that we’re excited for.”
“It is incredibly special. As a kid all I wanted to do was to play for Scotland. To be sitting here ahead of my 100th, I don’t know what to make of it as yet.”
Garry Ringrose’s return a major boost for Ireland
Somehow it feels like Garry Ringrose, such a consistent and well-rounded performer for both club and country, has always gone a little under-the-radar, but his importance defensively to this Ireland side was never clearer than in Rome. Italy repeatedly exploited a lack of lateral mobility in the visiting midfield to cut Andy Farrell’s side open, and Ringrose will have a key role to fix any fissures against a dangerous Scottish midfield.
The 28-year-old wins his 50th cap today, a fortnight later than planned after being forced to withdraw from the starting side initially named to take on Italy. Ringrose tends to take more plaudits for his work in attack, and Farrell will be glad to have Ringrose and Johnny Sexton back together on the pitch having been sat alongside one another in the Stadio Olimpico stands. Their intuitive understanding is vital to the way Ireland play.
Can tweaked Scottish back row match Ireland?
It looks an intriguing little tweak from Gregor Townsend at the base of the Scottish scrum, with the Scotland head coach pushing his captain to a seven shirt he is more than comfortable filling to accommodate Jack Dempsey in the starting side. Some coaches would have been tempted to pick a couple of fetchers to try and slow Irish ball, but that is a strategy that didn’t particularly work for Wales. Instead, Townsend has a trio of grafters with a nice blend of athleticism and size, with Hamish Watson more than handy to have in reserve for the final quarter.
Dempsey and Matt Fagerson work well in combination for Glasgow, but this will be a major test of Scotland’s chosen three against an Irish back row that works so cohesively and cleverly together, maximising their different strengths.
“It’s more because of what Jack’s been doing off the bench and in training,” Townsend replied when asked this week if it was an Ireland-specific selection decision. “He’s been really consistent in how he’s performed in training and he’s taken that into the bench.
“We feel that this is the right time to see this blend. They’re all ball carriers as is Hamish and he’ll have a big role to play in the last quarter of the game or longer potentially. We’re playing the top side in the world and the last 20 minutes is going to be very important.”
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