Scotland vs Ireland LIVE RESULT: Six Nations favourites cruise past Scots as Darcy Graham forced off with horror injury
IRELAND cruise past Scotland as they pick up a second bonus point win of the Six Nations, with Darcy Graham forced off with a horror injury in the first half.
Darcy Graham and Finn Russell collided just after 20 minutes to end both players games, as Darcy Graham needed the aid of a stretcher to leave the pitch.
Calvin Nash and Caelan Doris helped Ireland to a 17-0 lead, but with the clock in the red Duhan van der Merwe finished superbly to give Scotland hope at half time.
Two Blair Kinghorn penalties gave Murrayfield a glimmer of home, but it was quickly ended by James Lowe and Jack Conan, as Ireland cruised to go back home with all five points.
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Scotland 18-32 Ireland
That’s all from us tonight.
We’ll be back in a few weeks time for the third-round of the Six Nations.
The third-round looks like this:
- England v Scotland on Saturday, February 22.
- Ireland v Wales on the same day.
- Italy v France on Sunday, February 23.
The standings after round two
Ireland now have some clear daylight at the top of the standings, picking up two bonus point wins in two games.
Wales are still firmly in contention for the Wooden Spoon.
- Ireland, 10 pts
- France, 6 pts
- England, 6 pts
- Scotland, 5 pts
- Italy, 4 pts
- Wales, 0 pts
Ireland continue hunt for Six Nations three-peat
Ireland bolstered their hopes of a third successive Six Nations title as they made it 11 wins in a row over Scotland with a ruthless bonus-point 32-18 triumph at Murrayfield.
The Scots endured a poor first half in which they allowed the dominant Irish to build a 17-0 lead.
The Scots did lose three of their most influential backs: Duhan van der Merwe to a yellow card, and co-captain Finn Russell and wing Darcy Graham to head injuries.
Scotland rallied just before and just after half-time, with a Van der Merwe try and two Blair Kinghorn penalties bringing the hosts back to within six points at 17-11.
But Ireland soon extended their lead with further tries from James Lowe and substitute Jack Conan securing the bonus point, before Ben White scored a consolation with five minutes to go.
Chris Hoy was given a standing ovation before kick-off
England host Scotland next
Twickenham will play host to the Scots on February 22.
While Ireland will travel to Wales on the same day.
That leaves Italy v France on Sunday 23 February.
Ireland captain
Ireland captain Caelan Doris, speaking to BBC: "There is a feeling of satisfaction after that one.
"We spoke about starting fast as Scotland are a dangerous team. We did that well.
"The competition within the squad is great and it continually pushes the standard up in training."
The try scorers...
- Nash scored early opening try in eighth minute.
- Doris added second try in the 31st minute.
- Van der Merwe hit back for the Scots before half-time.
- Lowe scored important third for Ireland in 54th.
- Conan wrapped up Irish bonus point with fourth try.
Scotland 18-32 Ireland
79: KNOCK ON!
Scotland spill the ball in their own half, and that is most likely the home side's final chance to pinch a losing bonus-point.
One last Irish scrum.
Scotland 18-32 Ireland
78: Scotland are now seemingly giving it more oomph now than they did in the opening 60 minutes.
TRY! Scotland 18-32 Ireland (Ben White)
Scotland scrum-half Ben White barges over, but it's too little, too late.
The rolling maul does the trick as scrum-half White gets it down in the end.
Kinghorn converts too. Too little, too late for the Scots.
Scotland 11-32 Ireland
75: Scotland pushing for a try.
They had kicked into the corner.
Scotland 11-32 Ireland
70: IRELAND PENALTY!
Prendergast from 40 metres out after an Irish scrum penalty won against the head.
He adds another three points to the Irish's bonus point tally.
Scotland 11-29 Ireland
Jack Crowley comes on for Calvin Nash, and Ryan Baird replaces Tadhg Beirne.
Scotland 11-29 Ireland
It is absolutely relentless from Ireland, they have not let their foot off the gas all game.
Every other breakdown they are getting in and pouncing. They've done it all game.
Scotland look out on their feet. This could be a long 14 minutes for them.
Scotland 11-29 Ireland
Ireland have now earned the winning bonus point, and you'd have to say that's probably the decisive score even with the best part of 20 minutes to go.
Scotland 11-29 Ireland
Ireland are ramping up the pressure again, and earn another advantage inside the Scotland 22.
Jamison Gibson-Park flings the ball wide, and a short ball puts the bustling Jack Conan within metres of the line. You're not going to stop him from there.
A blemish on Sam Prendergast's perfect kicking record today and he hits the post with his most recent attempt.
TRY! Scotland 11-29 Ireland (Jack Conan)
Scotland 11-24 Ireland
Sam Prendergast has been pulling the strings all day today, but that's thanks to a solid foundation set by the Irish pack.
His passing has been superb, and his kicking off the tee hasn't been bad either.
Scotland 11-24 Ireland
Ireland have their tails up inside the Scottish 22.
Some hard carries in the forwards lead to a penalty advantage.
James Lowe bounces off a couple of Scotland tackles and gets the ball down despite the efforts of the scrambling home defence.
Blair Kinghorn is beaten far too easily from a Scotland perspective, and Ireland halt the Scottish momentum.
Sam Prendergast adds the extras - he has been flawless off the tee.
Conversion - Scotland 11-24 Ireland (Sam Prendergast)
TRY! Scotland 11-22 Ireland (James Lowe)
Scotland 11-17 Ireland
A brilliant pass from Caelan Doris puts Irlenad on the attack.
James Lowe puts in a kick for Jamison Gibson-Park to chase.
Blair Kinghorn gathers it and takes it over his own line.
Scrum to Ireland five metres out.