Ireland 17-13 Scotland - Andy Farrell's side win back-to-back Six Nations titles after determined win
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Updated 16/03/2024 at 21:36 GMT
A 17-13 win over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium was enough for Ireland to win back-to-back Six Nations titles. Andy Farrell’s team were denied a Grand Slam following defeat against England last weekend. Scotland, who were aiming to win the Triple Crown, pushed their hosts all the way in a fiercely-contested battle in Dublin. Ireland have won the Six Nations six times since its inception in 2000.
Ireland captain Peter O'Mahony, right, and Conor Murray after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Image credit: Getty Images
Ireland secured back-to-back Six Nations titles after a 17-13 victory over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter both crossed for Andy Farrell’s side, who bounced back from last week’s defeat by England to seal their sixth triumph in the event.
Despite a pair of Finn Russell penalties, Scotland were victims of their own downfall with Sheehan pouncing on George Turner’s overthrown lineout for a converted try to give the Irish a half-time lead.
The hosts were dominant upon the restart, spending large periods deep inside Scottish territory.
Calvin Nash and Robbie Henshaw went close to extending Ireland’s advantage, with TMO ruling they were both held up at the line.
Although, they grabbed the all-important try with a quarter of an hour remaining, as a prolonged spell of pressure culminated in Porter going over.
Huw Jones crossed with a wonderful individual try three minutes from time to give the Scots hope, but Ireland held out for the championship-clinching victory.
Talking Point – Back-to-back Ireland make it a perfect 10 against Scotland
Although they will have been disappointed not to make it back-to-back Grand Slams, Ireland have at least secured successive titles.
After a closely fought first half, the hosts dominated proceedings upon the restart and would have been well clear of Scotland, but for a couple of near misses.
The Irish completed 152 carries and gained 861 metres compared to their opponents (93 and 587 metres), while the Scots’ discipline let them down somewhat as they conceded 13 penalties compared to just four from the hosts.
Ireland also continued their dominant recent record in this fixture, having now recorded 10 successive victories over Scotland, who missed out on a first Triple Crown since 1990.
Player of the Match – Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
Gibson-Park led the way for Ireland with an all-action display at scrum-half.
Completing 100 passes during the game, he kept the Irish attack flowing with plenty of swift offloads and made a couple of decent carries through the generally resolute Scotland defence.
Gibson-Park also demonstrated his defensive credentials with six tackles helping keep the visitors at bay, while it is no coincidence that their try came after he had been substituted.
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Dan Sheehan of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's first try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Image credit: Getty Images
Player Ratings
Ireland: Larmour 7, Nash 7, Henshaw 7, Aki 7, Lowe 7, Crowley 8, Gibson-Park 9*; Porter 8, Sheehan 8, Furlong 8, McCarthy 7, Beirne 7, O'Mahony 7, Van der Flier 8, Doris 7.
Replacements: Bealham 7, Kelleher 7, Baird 7, Ringrose 7, Conan 7, Byrne 6, Healy 6, Murray 6.
Scotland: Kinghorn 6, Steyn 6, Jones 7, McDowall 7, Van der Merwe 6, Russell 8, White 7; Schoeman 6, Turner 6, Z. Fagerson 6, Gilchrist 7, Cummings 6, Christie 9, Darge 6, Dempsey 6.
Replacements: Ashman 6, Sutherland 6, M. Fagerson 6, Horne 6, Redpath 6, Rowe 6, Sebastian 6, Skinner 6.
Match Highlights
8' – PENALTY! IRELAND 0-3 SCOTLAND: The visitors are on the scoreboard first in this game after Ireland are penalised for crawling. Russell - the leading points scorer in this year's Six Nations - confidently strokes the ball over the posts from 45 metres.
13' – TRY! IRELAND 5-3 SCOTLAND (SHEEHAN): Scotland are victims of their own downfall. Turner overthrows his lineout on the five-yard line and the ball goes straight into the grateful arms of Sheehan, who subsequently crosses for his 10th international try.
18' – PENALTY! IRELAND 7-6 SCOTLAND: With the advantage over, the referee awards Scotland a penalty with McCarthy caught offside. Russell makes no mistake from right in front of the posts.
43' – PENALTY! IRELAND 10-6 SCOTLAND: The hosts make a positive start to the second half, which culminates in them earning a penalty just to the right of the posts. Crowley does not miss this time and Ireland have a four-point cushion.
65' – TRY! IRELAND 15-6 SCOTLAND (PORTER): Moments after Henshaw is held up at the line, Ireland push from the subsequent penalty and Porter eventually goes over.
77’ – TRY! IRELAND 17-11 SCOTLAND (JONES): Hope for the visitors as they capitalise on their numerical advantage. Jones beats several players as he embarks on a strong individual run before touching down under the posts.
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