Skipper Rory Best pleased as Ireland beat Scotland

Andrew Trimble scores Ireland's third try against Scotland

Skipper Rory Best hailed the 32-14 Six Nations win over Scotland as "an important result and performance".

The Ulster hooker scored the first of Ireland's four tries in an impressive display at the Aviva Stadium.

"It was a tough ask for us against a quality Scotland team, especially after we lost three key players during the week," said Best.

"The boys settled down after a nervous opening. To put 32 points on this Scotland team is a good performance."

Best - who equalled Keith Wood's record as the most-capped Irish hooker with 58 - made a key decision early on when he told fly-half Jonathan Sexton to kick to the corner instead of trying for the three points, a move which led to that opening try.

"We just thought we would keep the pressure on them and it is nice when those things pay off," added Best.

Coach Declan Kidney was pleased with the display, especially after the loss of Paul O'Connell, Sean O'Brien and Conor Murray to injury in the run-up to the game.

"I am delighted for the players after everything that has been thrown at them in the last six days," said Kidney, who questioned whether officials had been right to rule out a Tommy Bowe touchdown in the second half.

"You can look at the TMO one, you have to release the player in the tackle, but we will take the four tries and move on," added the Ireland coach.

"We did not panic in the second half. There were times we tried things when maybe the safest thing would have been to kick in the corner, but you cannot knock ambition and that is the way we want to play.

"We will enjoy tonight but will not get carried away because we know we have to be in Twickenham on St Patrick's Day."