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.
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton gives verdict on strength of Scotland challenge
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton feels he is preparing to face the best Scotland team of the Six Nations era after declaring himself fit for Sunday’s Murrayfield showdown.
Andy Farrell’s men travel to Edinburgh with Grand Slam aspirations still intact thanks to bonus-points wins over Wales, France and Italy.
The world’s top-ranked nation have dominated matches against the Scots during the past decade, winning 11 of the past 12 meetings.
But Gregor Townsend’s side have been a far tougher proposition in this year’s tournament – beating England and Wales before defeat in France – and are bidding for a first Triple Crown since the 1990 Five Nations to keep themselves in title contention.
Fly-half Sexton, who sat out the round-three win in Rome due to a groin issue sustained against France, believes Ireland are “privileged” to be vying for a clean sweep and is braced for the greatest test of the championship so far.
“We don’t consider ourselves favourites, we don’t even talk about that,” he said. “We think it’s going to be an incredibly tough game.”
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton gives verdict on strength of Scotland challenge
Andy Farrell’s men travel to Edinburgh with Grand Slam aspirations still in tact
Team News - Ireland
Ireland are bolstered in their grand slam chase by the return to fitness of a handful of key faces. Tadhg Furlong makes his 2023 tournament bow at tighthead, with the prop trusted to start immediately in that outstanding all-Leinster front row. Johnny Sexton is back to full health and re-takes the captaincy, joined in playmaking partnership by Garry Ringrose, so missed by Ireland in Rome.
It is a mark of Ireland’s depth that even with Stuart McCloskey absent with a niggle, Andy Farrell can start a Lion in Bundee Aki and return another in Robbie Henshaw to his matchday 23.
Ireland XV: Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Iain Henderson, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris; Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton (capt.); James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Mack Hansen; Hugo Keenan.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan; Jamison Gibson-Park, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw
Team News - Scotland
Gregor Townsend’s first choice side is reasonably settled, with the Scotland head coach making only a couple of tweaks to his starting fifteen. They come in the pack: Grant Gilchrist’s red card against France necessitates a second row change, prompting the promotion of Jonny Gray to join his brother, while there is a switch in the back row, too, with Jamie Ritchie moved to the openside, Matt Fagerson to the blindside and Jack Dempsey starting at number eight.
Three all-rounders ensure plenty of versatility and balance across the trio, with Hamish Watson in reserve if a specialist seven is required. Scott Cummings is back amongst things alongside Watson on the bench, and Chris Harris returns after missing the France defeat for the birth of his child to ensure a conventional 5:3 split.
Scotland XV: Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Richie Gray, Jonny Gray; Matt Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie (capt.), Jack Dempsey; Ben White, Finn Russell; Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Kyle Steyn; Stuart Hogg.
Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, Simon Berghan, Scott Cummings, Hamish Watson; Ali Price, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris.
Scotland vs Ireland
There’s rain forecast to arrive in Edinburgh later but for now the weather is set fair in the Scottish capital, with the temperature nudging up into double figures - plenty pleasant enough for an eagerly anticipated encounter.
Scotland vs Ireland: Why Six Nations clash is one to savour
It’s the final Sunday of the 2023 men’s Six Nations, with only next Saturday’s full three-game slate to follow today’s action from Murrayfield.
Ireland are in Edinburgh continuing their grand slam hunt, with Scotland hoping to keep their own championship hopes alive and secure a triple crown.
It’s the best Scottish side in a generation against maybe the best Ireland team ever - this is a Celtic clash to savour:
Why Scotland’s Six Nations duel with Ireland is a Celtic clash to savour
Arguably the best team each nation has produced for a generation meet at Murrayfield with the Six Nations title on the line
Scotland vs Ireland
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