Summary

  • Ireland will welcome England next Saturday looking to complete first Grand Slam in Dublin

  • Jones plunged over for opening try but Hansen, Lowe & Conan crossed to seize control

  1. Goodbye!published at 17:40 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Well, that was a compelling Test match.

    Ireland were just too good and they march on in pursuit of the Grand Slam.

    Here are the highlights, and you can read the match report here.

    Thanks for your company, bye!

    Media caption,

    Six Nations 2023: Scotland 7-22 Ireland highlights

  2. How it standspublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    Ireland face England at the Aviva at 17:00 on Saturday. The Grand Slam is on the line on St Patrick's Day.

    The only way France can win the title is if Ireland lose, and then it'll come down to bonus points or points difference depending on results.

    I don't think many will expect it to get to that stage.

    Scotland host Italy at 12:30 and need to make sure they finish on a high.

    Table
  3. Green machinepublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Can anyone stop them?

    Ireland team huddle at MurrayfieldImage source, Reuters
  4. Postpublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Tommy Bowe
    Former Ireland winger on BBC One

    Andy Farrell will be delighted with the result and performance, but will be concerned to lose five key players through injury.

    I really hope Garry Ringrose is okay.

    Overall, a really professional performance - Ireland showed exactly why they're the number one team in the world.

  5. 'We got a 40-minute performance'published at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend cut a rather exasperated figure.

    "I'd rather talk about the first half than the second half, because the second half was disappointing", he said on BBC One.

    "We created chances in that first half - it was a real high energy performance. What you'd call a proper Test match.

    "Both teams were a little fatigued at the start of the second half, it was there for us to lift the enrgy.

    "We didn't, we weren't accurate enough. Ireland grew in confidence and were clearly the better team in the second half.

    Gregor TownsendImage source, SNS

    "They adapted really well. They got through the first couple of lineouts and their scrum got stronger with three props in there.

    "We're disappointed with the fact we didn't kick on. Just frustration that we didn't put our game out there.

    "What we wanted today was a complete, 80-minute performance. We only got it for 40. We know we'll have to play well next week. Italy come here with nothing to lose."

  6. Caption contest...published at 17:25 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg at full-timeImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Can we try that second half again?

  7. Postpublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

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  8. 'We might have to look at Old Belvedere under 12s'published at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says Ireland's injury woes won't discourage his side going into their game against England next week:

    "That was an amazing test match.", he said. "A bit of organised chaos at half-time, but everyone had a smile on their face. Scotland probably didn't know what was going on second half at hooker!

    "We didn't get the try early on, lost Caelen, it was a monumental effort but that's what these boys expect of each other. They've earned the right to take it to the last weekend.

    "It was immense from Josh. The lads can do anything at this moment in time - how we looked after each other was the most impressive thing.

    "We'll go again, we'll have a good squad. If we get any more injuries in the week we might have to have a look at Old Belvedere under 12s. We'll lick our wounds and go again. England will be dangerous, but it'll be one hell of a weekend on St Patrick's Day."

  9. 'One of the toughest first halves I've played'published at 17:14 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Ireland captain Johnny Sexton was his usual unflustered self on the full-time whistle.

    "It was an incredibly tough game", he said on BBC One.

    "Anytime you come to Murrayfield you know you're in a Test match. That was one of the toughest first halves I've played, the pace it was played at.

    "Tadhg Furlong hasn't played for four months, some of the boys coming back were probably a bit shocked by the pace, but we'll be better for that. To stick at it adn have Cian Healy come on and play hooker - fair play to him, he kept us in the game because we'd havce been down to 14 men if he didn't.

    "Some good management at half-time, we stuck at it, knew we could get by at scrum-time, we had to find a way at the lineout. Look, we knew it would be tough, and we're delighted to come away with the win.

    "We've got to get the bodies back together. We'll be playing against an English team that are hurting and one that we have huge respect for. The Irish people will get behind us next week, so we're looking forward to that."

  10. Postpublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    I think this picture sums up the second half nicely...

    James Lowe of Ireland hands off Kyle Steyn of Scotland during the Six Nations Rugby match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    John Barclay
    Former Scotland captain on BBC One

    It was tight and we wondered what Ireland would do differently second half.

    They managed the game so well, put all the pressure on Scotland.

    They are the best team in the world for a reason.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    Tweet using #bbcrugby

    Andrew: A Grand Slam to play for in Dublin next Saturday evening, but that will be a real test for Ireland’s strength and depth. All of Ringrose, Doris, Henderson, Sheehan and Kelleher will be injury doubts. Time for those on the periphery of the squad to step up.

    Shane: The scoreline flatters Scotland. Ireland have been far better than a 15-point lead

  13. Scotland 'lacked clinical edge'published at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie has also been talking to BBC One after a hugely disappointing second half performance.

    "Look, that first half we lacked a clinical edge", he said.

    "Credit to Ireland in the second half, they put a lot of pressure on our breakdown, we couldn't get any continuity and couldn't create as many chances. A tough one.

    "They're a very good side. We knew we could apply pressure if we slowed their ball down. We let them get momentum second half and we're on the wrong side of the scoreline."

  14. 'The Ireland we wanted to see'published at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Claire Small
    Ireland international on BBC Radio Ulster

    The second half was much easier to watch. Ireland turned it on, Sexton upped his game and Jamison Gibson-Park added pace when he came on. It just looked like they were a cohesive unit. The match was brutal but that's the Ireland we wanted to see.

  15. Conan puts game beyond Scotlandpublished at 17:02 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    Media caption,

    Jack Conan scores Ireland's third try of the game as they power ahead against Scotland in the Six Nations

  16. 'Our toughest game'published at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Player of the Match Mack Hansen has been giving his thoughts to BBC One:

    "We knew this was going to be our toughest game of the year", he said. To be fair to the Scottish lads, they showed up - it was such a tough test match.

    "At half-time we said this is where we want to be. We thought we'd turn it on in the second half.

    "We lost some really key players, but it just shows our depth and how versatile we are. It's a great team to be a part of."

  17. Postpublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Chris Paterson
    Former Scotland international on BBC One

    Some real positives in the first half for Scotland, but Ireland in that second half had all the territory, all the possession despite their injuries.

    A world class performance from Andy Farrell's side.

  18. Postpublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    FT: Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Tony Ward
    Former Ireland fly-half on BBC Radio Ulster

    What a win, what a performance. You look at the subs who came on - they were outstanding.

  19. Full-time - Scotland 7-22 Irelandpublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 12 March 2023

    The Grand Slam dream is alive for Ireland.

    They scored two tries and kept Scotland scoreless in a ruthless second half despite a litany of injuries. Outstanding in adversity.

    Scotland lost the game in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Ireland were wobbling with their injuries, and they let them off.

  20. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Scotland 7-22 Ireland

    Sam Warburton names Mack Hansen as man of the match on BBC One. Few will disagree.

    Ireland go close to a fourth try but lose it forward 5m out. Job done, though.