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| Ireland: (7) 17 |
| Tries: Sheehan, Porter Pen: Crowley Cons: Crowley 2 |
| Scotland: (6) 13 |
| Try: Jones Pens: Russell 2 Cons: Russell |
Ireland retained the Six Nations title as they overcame a heroic defensive effort by Scotland in Dublin.
On a nervy night, Dan Sheehan’s attempt both facet of two Finn Russell penalties gave Ireland a one-level lead on the finish of a cagey first half.
Scotland defended bravely after the break as Tadhg Furlong and Robbie Henshaw each had Irish tries dominated out.
Andrew Porter crossed to supply Ireland with clear daylight earlier than Huw Jones gave Scotland late hope.
Ireland, nonetheless, steadied themselves within the closing moments to defend their crown in a remarkably tense conclusion to their marketing campaign.
The end result additionally ends England’s hopes of snatching the title from Ireland earlier than they face France in Lyon within the event’s last match at 20:00 GMT.
England ended Ireland’s bid to develop into the primary Six Nations workforce to win again-to-again Grand Slams at Twickenham final week, however by retaining the championship Andy Farrell’s facet reaffirm their standing because the northern hemisphere’s main workforce.
Nervy first half
Having been humbled by England final week, Ireland got here into Saturday’s match in Dublin underneath elevated stress as they appeared to clinch their sixth Six Nations title understanding a win or draw can be sufficient to complete the job.
But the stress confirmed. While Sheehan was gifted a attempt from a Scotland line-out, Ireland lacked depth and struggled to construct momentum towards a cussed, effectively-drilled visiting defence and resultingly went in on the break forward by the slimmest of margins.
While Scotland weren’t in a position to put sufficient stress on the Irish tryline within the opening 40 minutes, the away facet’s defence appeared snug coping with Ireland’s assaults, steadily sucking the environment out of Aviva Stadium throughout a flat, cagey first half.
Scotland got here to Dublin hoping to win the Triple Crown for the primary time since 1990. With Sheehan’s attempt sandwiched between two Russell penalties, these hopes remained intact with the sport on a knife-edge on the break.
More to observe.
Line-ups
Ireland: Larmour; Nash, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; McCarthy, Beirne, O’Mahony (capt), Van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Kelleher, Healy, Bealham, Baird, Conan, Murray, H Byrne, Ringrose.
Sin-bin: H Byrne
Scotland: Kinghorn, Steyn, Jones, McDowall, Van Der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, Christie, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Sebastian, Skinner, M Fagerson, Horne, Redpath, Rowe.
Sin-bin: Ashman (65)
Match officers
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
Touch judges: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SA)
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