Rugby

Ireland retain Six Nations title with gritty win over valiant Scotland

Ireland made it back-to-back Six Nations title triumphs after securing a hard-fought 17-13 victory over a rugged Scotland on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday.

Ireland retained their Six Nations title with a gritty 17-13 win over Scotland at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Tries by Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter received the Irish over the road because the hosts have been thwarted repeatedly by an impressive Scottish defence.

The title — in successful two in a row they emulate Joe Schmidt’s Ireland facet of 2014/15 — is a few comfort for lacking out on historic Six Nations Grand Slams after being crushed by England final weekend.

Peter O’Mahony has but to debate whether or not he stays captain and the 34-year-old veteran was in tears on the nationwide anthems, receiving a sympathetic pat on the pinnacle from Munster teammate Tadhg Beirne.

The Scots opened the scoring within the eighth minute, Finn Russell slotting over a penalty to deliver up a half century of factors on this marketing campaign after James Lowe had been penalised.

However, the Scots gave away a gentle strive as hooker George Turner overthrew and it was picked off by Dan Sheehan who had the best of duties to the touch down — his fifth strive of the event.

Jack Crowley transformed from large out on the suitable for 7-3.

Ireland’s sick self-discipline has been a obvious weak point within the championship and Russell landed a second penalty attributable to one other Irish infringement within the 18th minute.

Neither facet may impose themselves on the sport as defences held agency with the Irish resorting to a long-range penalty try, as an alternative of kicking to the nook, to attempt to get some respiration area.

However, Crowley dragged his effort large and the clock wound down to depart the match very a lot within the stability on the finish of a scrappy first-half.

Energetic 2nd interval begin

The Irish, although, began the second interval in vigorous vogue and Crowley landed a penalty after some glorious attacking play.

Russell’s capacity to make schoolboy errors then handed the Irish the initiative as he put the ball out direct from the kick-off.

The Irish turned on the stress because the Scots defence wilted however Tadhg Furlong was denied a strive as he was judged to have knocked on as he went to the touch the ball down.

The Irish pressed however Calvin Nash was responsible of failing to move as he closed on the road and the excellent Scottish flanker Andy Christie pressured a turnover.

The Scottish defence was magnificent because the Irish camped on their line and though they conceded penalties one way or the other they stored the hosts out.

They additionally managed to power errors with the usually dependable Garry Ringrose, making his first look of the event, displaying his rustiness as he knocked on with the road beckoning.

Ringrose, although, redeemed himself with an outstanding solo run down the wing which gave the Irish nice place however once more they have been denied a strive as Robbie Henshaw was held up.

However, referee Matthew Carley had misplaced persistence with the Scots conceding penalties and sin-binned Ewan Ashman while awarding the Irish one other penalty.

This time with a person benefit the hosts made no mistake as Andrew Porter went over and Crowley transformed to stretch Ireland’s result in 17-6.

The Scots hit straight again after Harry Byrne was sin-binned, Huw Jones breaking via and touching down underneath the posts.

The Irish managed to see out the ultimate minutes of the sport, permitting their signature tune Zombie by The Cranberries be performed at full quantity as soon as Carley blew the ultimate whistle.


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