By the time the last word whistle blew on this match, most of the crowd at Murrayfield had prolonged since adopted the thousand-yard stare of Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, pressured to relive the exact same experience for the gazillionth time, with no expectation that points will ever be utterly completely different.
In actuality, this was solely Scotland’s eleventh consecutive loss to Ireland. But it was in all probability their most depressing however. With residence profit, a backline which even shorn of Sione Tuipulotu packed adequate star wattage to vitality the Edinburgh grid and an Ireland workforce who had confirmed some vulnerability in the direction of England the sooner weekend (albeit only for about half an hour), hopes had been as extreme as ever that Scotland could a minimum of give their bogey workforce a sport. It is the hope that kills you.
Ireland had been far too good for Gregor Townsend’s males, far too strong, far too savvy. It is an increasing number of obvious that research of their demise by the autumn had been grossly exaggerated. Ireland keep firmly heading in the right direction for an historic ‘three-peat’ – that dreadful Americanism which has sadly infiltrated sport. In actuality, they need to now be thought-about favourites to say a hat-trick of titles, one factor no nation has ever achieved inside the males’s sport, not given that distinctive Home Nations launched in 1883. After France’s slip-up at Twickenham, and with the French having to journey to Dublin this yr, the Grand Slam is Ireland’s to lose.
Scotland had been dispatched with a minimal of fuss. A rousing pre-match ovation for Sir Chris Hoy, the Olympic legend who’s battling terminal most cancers, gave the occasion a poignant actually really feel. But Ireland don’t deal in sentimentality.
Ireland overwhelmed the hosts in an embarrassingly one-sided first half, scoring two tries by winger Calvin Nash and captain Caelan Doris, and could have had a hatful further. They solely scored three components whereas Duhan van der Merwe was inside the bin for barging Nash into prompt the ball. Twice Scotland held them up over the highway. But Scotland on no account appeared like they believed.
The hosts had been terribly unfortunate to lose their very personal captain Finn Russell and the livewire Darcy Graham midway by way of the first half after they collided with each other. The latter left the sector on a stretcher, sporting a neck brace, and wanted to go to hospital for extra checks. “We believe there are no issues around his neck, it’s more checking the concussion, we’re hoping there are no broken bones in his face,” Townsend reported.
But even the shortage of two such influential avid gamers doesn’t excuse a largely toothless effectivity which may improve extra questions for Scotland’s head coach. The knives had been firmly out by the top. “That was painful,” wrote former worldwide Ruaridh Jackson on X. “So inaccurate, no gameplan, no edge. We seem to be wasting this golden age of players. Really can’t see us taking the final step forward unfortunately. Ireland are so detailed, accurate, aggressive.”
Apart from a fast spell each side of half-time when Scotland scored 11 unanswered components – Van der Merwe touching down brilliantly inside the nook (see the video underneath) and Blair Kinghorn, who in fairness had a wonderful sport, altering two extra penalties – it was one-way guests, as a result of it has been so usually on this fixture recently.
Ireland had been dominant on the breakdown, worthwhile 102 rucks to Scotland’s 65, and far more scientific as soon as they’d the ball. James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park had been good as soon as extra, as they’d been last week, whereas Sam Prendergast, Ireland’s 21-year-old fly-half, who had a difficult afternoon in the direction of England in Dublin, appeared far more assured proper right here, exhibiting his full differ of passing, and kicking all nonetheless actually one among his makes an try at goal. Andy Farrell, watching on from the stands, would have beloved his man-of-the-match effectivity, having fast-tracked his promotion.
Lowe and different Jack Conan added extra tries inside the second half as Ireland wrapped up the bonus stage by the hour mark, with Ben White scoring a late consolation for Scotland. The ambiance had prolonged since evaporated by that stage, as Groundhog Day set in. “No one is more disappointed than me,” Townsend mirrored, denying that Scotland had been “back to square one”.
In some respects it would help that Scotland’s subsequent fixture is at Twickenham. Townsend’s males have gained 4 consecutive video video games in the direction of the Auld Enemy and victory in that fixture would go an prolonged approach to erasing the memory of this defeat. But persistence is sporting skinny. Scotland have pulled that rabbit out of the hat sooner than.
As for Ireland, the inexperienced juggernaut rolls on. They go to Wales subsequent sooner than that battle in the direction of France in Dublin which may completely determine whether or not or not or not they win a Grand Slam. “There is an opportunity which has been well documented and we’ve got to make sure that we prepare in the right way for Wales and go their with the same sort of mindset that we came here with,” Ireland’s stand-in head coach Simon Easterby talked about when requested about that threat. Like his workforce, he was on autopilot.
Match particulars
Scoring sequence: 0-5 Nash try; 0-7 Prendergast con; 0-10 Prendergast pen; 0-15 Doris try; 0-17 Prendergast con; 5-17 van der Merwe try; 8-17 Kinghorn pen; 11-17 Kinghorn pen; 11-22 Lowe try; 11-24 Prendergast con; 11-29 Conan try; 11-32 Prendergast pen; 16-32 White try; 18-32 Kinghorn con
Scotland: B Kinghorn, D Graham (J Dobie 21), H Jones, T Jordan, D Van der Merwe, F Russell (S McDowall 21), B White; R Sutherland (P Schoeman 48), D Cherry (E Ashman 48), Z Fagerson (W Hurd 68), J Gray (G Brown 48), G Gilchrist (S Skinner 68), M Fagerson, R Darge (c), J Dempsey (J Ritchie 61)
Yellow card: van der Merwe 14
Ireland: H Keenan, C Nash (J Crowley 65), R Henshaw, B Aki (G Ringrose 58), J Lowe, S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park (C Murray 70); A Porter (C Healy 70), R Kelleher (D Sheehan 41), F Bealham (T Clarkson 61), J Ryan (R Baird 65), T Beirne; P O’Mahony (J Conan 52), J Van der Flier, C Doris (c)
Referee: J Doleman (NZL)
05:41 PM GMT
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05:41 PM GMT
‘Yellow made it tough’, says Townsend
Discussing the accidents to his avid gamers, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has knowledgeable BBC Sport:“Finn [Russell is] fantastic. He truly handed his HIA however our employees sensed he wasn’t completely conscious of what was happening, so we made the decision to not put him again on.
“Darcy [Graham] is at hospital now, I’ve not had an replace. I believe all the pieces was OK along with his neck however they have been testing concussion.
On the gamers who got here of their place, he mentioned: “Both Stafford McDowall and Jamie Dobie did very well, and Tom Jordan going to 10 did effectively too.
Discussing how the sport went, he mentioned: “When they (Ireland) had the ball, they scored. The yellow card made it robust for us to get again within the recreation. Then the accidents disrupted issues.
“I felt the gamers have been constructing again into the sport, however as soon as Ireland received again into our 22 they confirmed how scientific they’re. When you might be behind on the scoreboard towards a top quality aspect, you have to be certain that they don’t get extra alternatives.
“We’ll get learnings. Accuracy would be the number one thing.”
05:35 PM GMT
‘A sore loss’, says Scottish skipper
Discussing the shortage of Finn Russell and Darcy Graham inside the first half, Scottish captain Rory Darge has knowledgeable BBC: “Obviously it’s robust to take care of. Two essential gamers taking place.
“Hopefully they’re all right. I think they’re both okay but I’m not sure.”
On the excellence between the two sides, he talked about: “The boys hung in there however we’re clearly upset with the consequence in the long run.
“The difference was probably their clinicalness in the finish zone. We had a few opportunities, showing a little bit, but not taking them or converting them into scores.”
On preparations for England subsequent up, Darge talked about: “Initially with the week off, get a while away. That’s a sore loss we’ve to tackle the chin.
“But by the time we come back into camp, make sure that we’re ready to go.”
05:29 PM GMT
‘Ireland’s rugby IQ is fantastic’, says Barclay
Former Scotland captain John Barclay has talked about on BBC: “Ireland are probably the most detailed oriented and cohesive sides. It can be the decision-making and work off the ball.
“The level of detail and rugby IQ in that team is amazing.”
05:27 PM GMT
WATCH: Van der Merwe’s spectacular finish
05:22 PM GMT
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05:20 PM GMT
Skipper glad with win
Speaking to BBC, Ireland captain Caelan Doris talked about: “There is a sense of satisfaction after that one.
“We spoke about beginning quick as Scotland are a harmful crew. We did that effectively.
“The competition within the squad is great and it continually pushes the standard up in training.”
05:19 PM GMT
‘It felt like a 40-point victory’, says O’Gara
Former Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara has talked about on BBC: “If you’re in search of a components of the best way to go away and win within the Six Nations I believe it is best to examine that.
“It was ruthless from minute one. Total domination. Scotland didn’t get any in. Normally in a Test match the lead adjustments palms a few instances and it’s within the steadiness.
“Today the biggest surprise is that it finished 32-18. It felt like a 40-point victory and maybe if Ireland need to, I think they’ve another couple of gears to go.”
05:17 PM GMT
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05:17 PM GMT
WATCH: Lowe try stifles Scottish comeback
05:15 PM GMT
‘Wasn’t wonderful’ says Prendergast
Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast, who has been given the participant of the match award, has talked about: “It was an unbelievable recreation and a savage ambiance. The anthems have been fairly particular.
“I assumed we began unbelievably within the recreation. We put a lot strain on. We did very well within the second half once they received their purple patch to come back again.
“It wasn’t perfect from us but it was better than last week and we’ll keep trying to get better week on week.”
05:14 PM GMT
Where this leaves us
Ireland go 4 components clear on the prime of the standings because the one side to have gained every of their video video games. They have moreover picked up a worthwhile bonus stage in each of their victories.
France and England are stage on six components following the dramatic win for Steve Borthwick’s males last night, one stage away from Scotland who keep in fourth.
Italy path the Scots by solely a stage after their win over Wales on Saturday whereas Warren Gatland’s males are on the foot of the desk, nonetheless are on one stage having picked up a shedding bonus stage.
05:12 PM GMT
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05:08 PM GMT
‘Scotland way off it’, says Barclay
Former Scotland captain John Barclay has talked about on BBC: “Scotland needed to be someplace close to their greatest and so they have been approach off it.
“Scotland were poor and at the breakdown they were dominated. Ireland were also very good and clinical.”
05:04 PM GMT
Brutal for Scotland
Well that was brutal. Apart from a spell each side of the break as soon as they scored 11 unanswered components, Scotland barely threw a punch (the superb Blair Kinghorn apart).
The followers near me are shuffling away with heads bowed. The Darcy Graham-Finn Russell first-half incident was unfortunate nonetheless that doesn’t excuse Scotland, who would have hoped for lots further.
05:03 PM GMT
Full time: Rot goes on for the Scots
Ireland go prime of the standings with an eleventh successive win over Scotland as they take a step nearer to a third Six Nations title on the spin.
The holders had been totally dominant and the scoreline flatters Scotland truly, it might and will have been a good larger deficit.
05:00 PM GMT
Full time: Scotland 18 Ireland 32
Ireland earn the scrum inside the Scottish half and they also might need the ultimate chuckle proper right here as Sam Prendergast is awarded the participant of the match award.
Scotland win it once more nonetheless a coping with error from Dobie provides Ireland the scrum and that may be that. No, they resolve to not kick it out with the clock inside the pink and go looking for further.
Henshaw goes for the grubber kick by way of nonetheless it runs previous the try-line and that does carry the game to an end.
04:55 PM GMT
TRY! White barges over for Scotland
Scotland 18 Ireland 32 (White) Scotland do make the line-out pay! They maul very effectively to go inside just a few metres sooner than scrum-half White barges over.
Kinghorn converts from beneath the posts and so they’re now inside two reworked tries with 4 minutes to go. Too little too late? Probably.
04:53 PM GMT
75 minutes: Scotland 11 Ireland 32
Ireland are penalised at their very personal scrum and Scotland take the free-kick quickly contained within the Irish 22. After six phases they’ve been pressured once more 10 metres once more.
They earn the penalty profit though with Sheehan the one penalised. Van der Flier forces the turnover nonetheless play is launched once more and the hosts kick for contact down their correct.
They have the line-out 5 metres out, can they make it pay?
04:48 PM GMT
Penalty! Prendergast takes Ireland 21 clear
Scotland 11 Ireland 32 (Prendergast) Scotland have the scrum, merely inside their very personal half, nonetheless Hurd is penalised for rolling his shoulder and Ireland have the penalty.
Prendergast goes to kick for the posts from a good way out and it’s an impressive strike that takes his workforce 21 components clear.
04:45 PM GMT
68 minutes: Scotland 11 Ireland 29
Ireland drive the coping with error from Scotland following the line-out nonetheless as a result of the ball goes free, Porter spills it and the home side have the scrum. The pressure from Ireland has merely been relentless though.
Crowley, who has come on for Nash, has a wonderful first contribution as he plucks a extreme kick from the air beneath pressure from the Scottish chasers.
04:42 PM GMT
65 minutes: Scotland 11 Ireland 29
Ireland are superb inside the breakdown to drive the foul nonetheless it’s a unusual mistake from the holders with their line-out not coming in straight.
They rapidly have the scrum at halfway though and Prendergast produces a wonderful kick that finds contact deep inside the Scottish 22. Not a 50-22 nonetheless nonetheless an vital knock from the fly-half.
04:38 PM GMT
TRY! Conan extends the friends’ lead
Scotland 11 Ireland 29 (Conan) The assault was scrappy nonetheless Gibson-Park then opts for the sector and Keenan does fantastically to beat Kinghorn inside the contest barely under the posts.
Ireland have the penalty profit as a result of the ball goes free nonetheless they don’t need it as they reclaim possession and shift the ball to the exact to substitute Conan who bills over the highway.
Prendergast misses the conversion, surprisingly.
04:35 PM GMT
59 minutes: Scotland 11 Ireland 24
Ireland are unhappy as they provide away the foul shortly after the restart, nonetheless after plenty of attacking phases from the hosts, Bealham forces the Scottish foul for not releasing inside the breakdown.
It’s all a bit untidy as Ireland come forward with the ball going free just a few situations.
04:32 PM GMT
TRY! Lowe responds for the friends
Scotland 11 Ireland 24 (Lowe) Ireland shift the ball out to the exact following the scrum sooner than coming once more out to the left with some truly slick passing.
Lowe picks it up, 10 metres contained within the left flank, and steps earlier Kinghorn with some good footwork sooner than charging over the highway. The full-back wanted to do greater though inside the type out.
Prendergast, who carried out a wonderful go in that switch, converts to take Ireland 13 clear.
04:29 PM GMT
48 minutes: Scotland 11 Ireland 17
Scotland knock the ball on and Ireland have the scrum in a promising place contained within the hosts’ half. They win the free-kick inside the scrum and Gibson-Park takes it quickly nonetheless Scotland drive the turnover.
Ireland win it once more though and threaten down the left. The ball is moved swiftly on to Gibson-Park and he goes for the small kick and chase over Kinghorn nonetheless the full-back has the tempo to point out and win the race.
Gibson-Park manages to hold him down though and Ireland have the scrum 5 metres out.
04:26 PM GMT
Penalty! Scotland chip away at deficit
Scotland 11 Ireland 17 (Kinghorn) Scotland have the scrum though, merely over 5 metres out. Can they make it rely? The ball is labored out to Dobie on the exact and he makes the dart for the highway as he steps inside nonetheless he can’t pretty cross.
The play is launched once more though for an earlier foul by Ireland and Scotland resolve to kick from beneath the posts. Kinghorn converts and the hosts proceed to chip away at that lead only a bit bit further.
04:23 PM GMT
48 minutes: Scotland 8 Ireland 17
Scotland work it fantastically out to their left and Jones bursts by way of the Irish defence sooner than popping it off to Kinghorn to the pores and skin of him.
The full-back stretches his legs and chooses to easily dummy the go to Van der Merwe as he reaches the 22 sooner than being tackled to the underside.
Henshaw is then penalised for a knock-on inside the type out. There is a TMO look at for whether or not or not it was intentional nonetheless the officers rule that it wasn’t. Murrayfield disagrees.
04:19 PM GMT
45 minutes: Scotland 8 Ireland 17
Scotland come out on prime following the Irish line-out and there’s a way they’ve the momentum at first of this second interval.
Gibson-Park and Prendergast are then sloppy with their coping with and the noise inside Murrayfield goes up one different stage.
04:16 PM GMT
Penalty! Kinghorn reduces deficit
Scotland 8 Ireland 17 (Kinghorn) Scotland break into the Irish 22 and win the penalty profit in entrance of the posts with Ireland judged to haven’t rolled away inside the breakdown.
The ball is spilt as Scotland work it out to left flank nonetheless it’s launched once more and so they’ll kick for the posts. Kinghorn makes no mistake from a central place.
04:14 PM GMT
41 minutes: Scotland 5 Ireland 17
We are once more underway at Murrayfield with Scotland kicking problems with going from left to correct. Can they mount an unlikely comeback on this second interval?
04:13 PM GMT
Half-time analysis
That van der Merwe try on the stroke of half time has given Scotland a lifeline nonetheless it seems like an unlimited ask to point out this spherical.
It was a miserable first half for the hosts. One issue you can’t do is allow this Ireland workforce an unlimited headstart nonetheless the friends had been immediately allowed to settle proper right into a rhythm.
Prendergast is already making an attempt far more assured than he did last weekend in the direction of England. Ireland have scored two and could have had a hatful further.
Scotland have moreover misplaced Darcy Graham and Finn Russell – two potential matchwinners – to break.
Can Scotland assemble on that van der Merwe try? Their components widespread all through their 10 successive defeats to Ireland over the past seven years is just 11.5 so 17 already seems like heaps and Ireland are unlikely to stop there.
They nonetheless have weapons like Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan to hold on from the bench.
04:10 PM GMT
WATCH: Scotland get on the board
04:08 PM GMT
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04:07 PM GMT
‘Everything difficult for Scotland’, says Johnson
Speaking on BBC, former England captain Martin Johnson has talked about: “Everything has been tough for Scotland. Kicking, holding onto the ball and successful their very own line-out. That is simply Ireland.
“I thought they might be a bit flat after a big win last week, but it has been anything but. They steamrolled Scotland in the early stages.”
04:00 PM GMT
Half-time: Scotland 5 Ireland 17
That try was the ultimate movement of the half and it was an important second for Scotland to get themselves on the board following a extraordinarily dominant half from the friends.
03:59 PM GMT
TRY! Van der Merwe will get one once more for Scotland
Scotland 5 Ireland 17 (Van der Merwe) Scotland go to inside six or seven metres nonetheless Ireland get the selection inside the breakdown have the scrum.
Ireland though, nonetheless only some metres from their very personal line, give away the penalty inside the breakdown and the hosts take it quickly.
They put collectively a swift switch to work the ball out to Van der Merwe on the left flank. With the tackles coming in, he leaps for the highway and practically touches the ball down collectively along with his legs in touch nonetheless, crucially, inside the air.
Kinghorn hooks broad though with the tried conversion.
03:54 PM GMT
Huge job for Scotland now
Mountain to climb for Scotland now. The man in entrance of me has merely gone for a re-up of Tennent’s lager. Could be an prolonged afternoon.
03:54 PM GMT
38 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 17
Henshaw is penalised for being in an offside place inside the breakdown nonetheless after kicking into contact, Scotland fail to threaten.
Moments later though and Doris is penalised for not rolling method inside the breakdown and Scotland as quickly as as soon as extra select to kick for contact.
The Irish captain was not pleased with that decision, suggesting the Scottish avid gamers had bought the selection.
03:51 PM GMT
34 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 17
There is affirmation that Russell has failed his HIA so he isn’t going to be returning to the sector of play this afternoon following his collision with team-mate Graham, who has been taken off on a stretcher proper right here with a head brace on.
03:49 PM GMT
TRY! Captain Doris provides Ireland administration
Scotland 0 Ireland 17 (Doris) As Ireland work it from correct to left following the line-out, the switch breaks down with Prendergast nonetheless it’s judged to have been a knock-on inside the type out and Ireland have the scrum contained within the Scottish 22.
As the scrum strikes spherical, Ireland have the penalty profit. But they don’t need it as they work the ball out to the left flank sooner than popping it once more inside to Doris who bills over for his or her second try of the day.
Prendergast converts with a surprising strike and Ireland have a 17-point lead. Thoroughly deserved.
03:44 PM GMT
29 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 10
It’s Porter this time who bills down the Scottish kick and as quickly as as soon as extra it pings out into contact with Scotland now having a line-out merely in entrance of their very personal line.
Their kicked clearance solely finds contact merely open air their 22 and Ireland have the attacking line-out. Scotland are literally struggling to get out of their very personal half.
03:43 PM GMT
28 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 10
O’Mahoney does properly to drive the turnover sooner than Prendergast sends a kick method, method down the pitch.
Jordan lastly retrieves the bouncing ball inside his 22 nonetheless his kick is charged down by Nash and Scotland now have the line-out on their 22.
Great work from the friends.
03:41 PM GMT
27 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 10
Kinghorn does fantastically to take Ireland’s prolonged kick beneath pressure from Nash. Murrayfield aren’t snug as Kinghorn goes down nonetheless it was solely a superb contest between the two avid gamers.
Aki is penalised moments later for an infringement off the ball and Scotland can uncover contact inside the Irish half. Can they penetrate the 22?
03:38 PM GMT
Penalty! Prendergast extends Ireland’s profit
Scotland 0 Ireland 10 (Prendergast) Ireland win the penalty profit inside the breakdown rapidly after the game restarts. They work the ball out to Nash, who’s pressured once more by Scotland, nonetheless play is launched once more for the penalty.
The friends select to kick for the posts this time to get the scoreboard transferring and Prendergast makes it two from two from the tee.
Replays current Graham gave a thumbs up as he made method, which, as soon as extra, is an environment friendly sign. Van der Merwe is once more on following his yellow card.
03:35 PM GMT
22 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Graham will be taken off on a stretcher proper right here with a head brace on nonetheless he has reportedly been chatting with the medical employees which is an environment friendly sign. Murrayfield provides the winger a warmth spherical of applause as he makes method.
03:32 PM GMT
Home followers want further
Some levity supplied by a fan in entrance of the press subject who has merely roared. “Come on Scotland, do you know how much we paid for these tickets?”
03:31 PM GMT
22 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Russell is making his method off the sector for a HIA nonetheless Graham continues to be on the bottom and appears to be in extra discomfort.
There will be pretty a protracted break in play proper right here.
03:30 PM GMT
Quiet at Murrayfield
Crowd very quiet at Murrayfield. This was not the blood and thunder start they’d been hoping for. The cheers have primarily been reserved for defensive wins – Darcy Graham’s thunderous type out on Robbie Henshaw, Scotland twice holding Ireland up over the highway and so forth
03:29 PM GMT
22 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Ireland work the ball out to the left and Lowe reveals good tempo and energy to hold off an issue and burst down the flank nonetheless Gibson-Parker spills the fizzed go inside by the winger.
Russell and Graham are every down after colliding in that latest switch and so they’ll every require some consideration proper right here.
03:28 PM GMT
21 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Prendergast does fantastically to value down Kinghorn’s kick with Scotland inside their very personal 22. The ball pinballs spherical nonetheless Scotland do precisely supervisor to scramble it away.
Ireland have the penalty though nonetheless as quickly as as soon as extra they’re held up as they attain the highway. They will be wanting to capitalise on this early pressure.
03:26 PM GMT
19 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Kinghorn threatens down Scotland’s left as a result of the hosts attain the 22 nonetheless Ireland can flip it over and Keenan thumps clear.
The full-back does excellently a second later as he takes the prolonged kick merely open air the 22, meaning he can’t identify the mark. But he steps his man sooner than clearing into the Scottish 22 on his weaker foot.
Russell can solely uncover contact.
03:23 PM GMT
17 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Ireland as soon as extra select to kick for the nook, down their correct this time. As they push for the highway they’re held up by Scotland who survive this Irish assault.
As Ireland come once more, Scotland are able to win the penalty inside the breakdown by way of Graham and Russell can uncover contact inside the Irish half.
03:21 PM GMT
Yellow card! Van der Merwe penalised
Scotland 0 Ireland 7 It’s Kinghorn who makes the coping with error nonetheless this time it may probably be further damaging for the hosts as Nash kicks the ball in route of the try-line.
The ball practically stays in play and the winger wins the race sooner than nudging it over the highway with one different kick nonetheless he’s then pushed to the bottom by Van der Merwe and there’s a TMO look at for this one.
The Scottish winger sees yellow and it’s a penalty for Ireland. However, it’s not a penalty try with the referee deeming Nash perhaps wouldn’t have reached it. Ireland aren’t too pleased with that one.
03:16 PM GMT
13 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Ireland kick into contact merely previous halfway and no matter momentarily shedding out, they’re quickly attacking down that left-hand side as quickly as as soon as extra following a coping with error from Russell.
Scotland do handle this assault though and will clear into contact spherical halfway. There is a fast pause in play with White receiving some treatment.
03:13 PM GMT
12 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 7
Ireland knock-on from the restart nonetheless Scotland are penalised for a pushing a participant into Keenan, who was competing for the ball.
Beirne then makes method for a head harm analysis (HIA). Ireland will truly hope that’s nothing too important.
03:10 PM GMT
TRY! Nash provides Ireland an early lead
Scotland 0 Ireland 7 (Nash) Ireland select to kick for the nook barely than taking an early three components. Aki spills it nonetheless Ireland as quickly as as soon as extra have the penalty profit with Scotland penalised for collapsing the maul.
They kick for the nook as quickly as as soon as extra and Ireland quickly have one different profit as they get to inside a metre of the highway following the line-out.
The friends work it to the exact and Prendergast performs an unlimited exit to Nash on the exact flank and the winger has acres to cross inside the nook.
Prendergast then converts to supply Ireland a seven-point lead.
03:06 PM GMT
6 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 0
Henshaw drives fantastically following the scrum as he brushes aside just a few challenges and carries his side into the Scottish 22.
After quite a few attacking phases, the pores and skin centre then takes his workforce to inside just a few metres of the highway.
The assault breaks down as Ireland work it out to their correct nonetheless play is launched once more for a earlier offside by the home side.
03:04 PM GMT
4 minutes: Scotland 0 Ireland 0
Kinghorn virtually pulls off an impressive kick and chase nonetheless he fails to pick-out Graham to his open air after gathering the ball in to his grasp.
Prendergast’s crossfield kick is intercepted by Van der Merwe nonetheless the play is launched once more for a knock-on by Kinghorn and Ireland have the scrum on halfway.
03:02 PM GMT
Magnificent ovation for Hoy
Magnificent ovation for Sir Chris Hoy. What a legend that man is. Nicest bloke in sport.
03:01 PM GMT
1 min: Scotland 0 Ireland 0
We are underway at Murrayfield with Sam Prendergast and Ireland kicking points off going from left to correct.
This should be a beautiful match-up this afternoon.
03:00 PM GMT
Chris Hoy delivers match ball
A selected second as plenty of Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy brings the match ball onto the sector to a wonderful ovation from the Murrayfield Crowd.
02:58 PM GMT
Kick-off virtually proper right here
It’s now Scotland’s flip to supply a wonderful rendition of their nationwide anthem with the sounds of a bag pipe from extreme up, upon one among many stands. Kick-off is just moments away.
02:57 PM GMT
Plenty of talking components this afternoon
So many attention-grabbing talking components proper this second. Fascinated to see how Sam Prendergast goes after a patchy effectivity in Dublin last weekend. Ireland clearly think about he’s the precise deal. His alternative has Andy Farrell’s fingerprints all through it and it feels as if it should take a critical wobble to hold Jack Crowley once more in at 10. Still solely 21, though, and that’s his first away sport inside the 6N. Scotland will purpose him, as England did.
Ireland will undoubtedly start as favourites nonetheless the sensation persists that the boys in inexperienced won’t be pretty the place they’d been just a few years up to now, and Farrell’s absence for this occasion would possibly however present important.
If Scotland can get parity up entrance, disrupt Ireland’s lineout (one factor England palpably didn’t do), rattle Prendergast, defend like lions, and take their possibilities, they could end their jinx. If.
02:55 PM GMT
Players out on the pitch
The avid gamers have made their method out of the tunnel to {an electrical} ambiance at Murrayfield this afternoon. Up first is the nationwide anthem of Ireland.
Kick-off is now merely 5 minutes away!
02:53 PM GMT
Farrell watching on
The digital digital camera has picked out Andy Farrell sitting inside the crowd this afternoon barely than inside the dugout, with the Ireland boss now on Lions accountability. Will his absence be further apparent this week than it was last day trip?
02:50 PM GMT
Exclusive: Hastings on how rugby has helped with lack of partner
Scotland’s former participant Scott Hastings has talked about the importance of rugby and the help it has supplied him in serving to with the shortage of his partner.
“What is great is this magic rugby community that I am part of, which pulls together. I have some great friends in the media and broadcast arena,” he talked about.
“The incontrovertible fact that I’m nonetheless concerned within the recreation offers me a giant thrill. I’m passionate in regards to the recreation.
“It gave me so many skills and opportunities to meet friends throughout the world, and those friends are there every single day for me.”
Take a take a look at Telegraph Sport’s distinctive interview with the earlier Scotland good here.
02:46 PM GMT
Doris on file over Scotland
Discussing Ireland’s spectacular file over Scotland, the Irish captain Calean Doris talked about on Saturday.“I don’t assume there’s any room for that [complacency], given the respect we now have for them.
“You hear that outdoors noise about our report towards them, but it surely hasn’t been talked about in right here and we’ve been making ready for a correct Test match.
“We’ve seen what they’ve been about during the last variety of years, most lately final weekend. Especially at residence there’s that further factor.
“Their attack is very dangerous,” added Doris.
“They assault with fairly a little bit of width and aptitude. Their counter-attack, with the wings and again three on the whole.
“You’re seeing some of the tries Duhan van der Merwe has scored, Darcy Graham as well is a massive threat and Blair Kinghorn, too. We’ll have our hands full.”
02:43 PM GMT
Jordan a ‘brilliant player’, says Jones
Scotland’s Huw Jones is assured fellow centre and Glasgow team-mate Tom Jordan will excel on his first Test start.
He knowledgeable BBC Sport:“We’ve had a large week of prep for this one. We realize it’s going to be an enormous problem, we’re eager to get going.
“TJ is a superb participant. We all know at Glasgow what he can do, the aggression he brings. I’m wanting ahead to enjoying with him right now.
“We need to be at our absolute best. We know the challenges they bring.”
02:41 PM GMT
Tuipulotu absence could ‘tip game in Ireland’s favour’, says McCloskey
Scotland’s captain Sione Tuipulotu has been dominated out of this yr’s Six Nations after struggling a pectoral muscle harm.
Ireland’s Stuart McCloskey, who will also be missing out this afternoon by way of a hamstring harm, has talked about the absence of the Scottish skipper could “tip the game in our favour”.
“I think we’ve had, touch wood, the number over Scotland over the last few years and I think [Sione] Tuipulotu being out for Scotland as well is going to be massive,” talked about McCloskey.
“So that I think hopefully tips it in our favour.”
He added: “He’s in all probability the shape 12 in Europe, if not the world, during the last six months or so.
“Losing a man like that, a man that plenty of their form goes round as effectively, I believe he takes plenty of strain off Finn Russell.
“Losing a guy like that is always going to affect your team, especially when he’s such a fulcrum for what they do in attack.”
02:38 PM GMT
Townsend performs down needle
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has carried out down any needle that exists between the two teams this week.
“Teams want to build up something to provide extra motivation, so maybe it’s more on the Irish side or the Irish media side that there’s this rivalry or needle to give them extra motivation on why they want to win again,” Townsend talked about.
“Obviously they’ve won this fixture a number of times but we say this every game, we respect Ireland a lot, admire what they’ve done over the last few years, but it doesn’t stand out as a needle game for us.”
02:36 PM GMT
Head to go
The Irish have gained 10 successive Test matches in the direction of Scotland.
Their last defeat in the direction of the Scots received right here at Murrayfield inside the Six Nations in 2017.
The Scots have gained 4 of their 25 matches in the direction of Ireland inside the Six Nations, shedding 21.
02:33 PM GMT
The scene at Murrayfield
02:30 PM GMT
‘Better performance needed’, says Easterby
Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby: “We’re all the time frequently making an attempt to evolve, as are Scotland and so they confirmed within the autumn that they’ll combine it with the perfect.
“It’s been spoken about outside the camp but we’re just trying to focus on getting our own game in order and delivering a better performance than we did against England because that’s what it’ll take to beat Scotland in Murrayfield.”
02:26 PM GMT
Quite the welcome for the friends
02:22 PM GMT
Townsend on shedding run in the direction of Ireland
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has talked about: “It’s onerous to interrupt the cycle however when you’ve damaged it, it simply turns into one other match.
“A lot of it is about what we would do differently, but we also understand that Ireland have been a top team now for a while and it’s harder to break that cycle when the team you’re playing against has been that good and has that experience.”
02:17 PM GMT
Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?
Ask it proper right here and can be found once more on Monday lunchtime for the reply.
02:14 PM GMT
Scotland win would blow championship broad open
After a minor mishap with my accreditation (appears they weren’t anticipating me nonetheless I’ve managed to steer them I’m a legit journalist) I’ve made it into Murrayfield.
Really making an attempt forward to this one. England’s win over France yesterday has put the cat amongst the pigeons. A Scotland win proper this second would blow the championship broad open. Grey and dreary proper right here. But should be some fireworks later.
02:11 PM GMT
As points stand
France and England ready the bottom on six components, having triumphed in actually one among their two matches so far and choosing up a bonus stage in each.
Scotland and Ireland are stage on 5 components heading into this one on account of their bonus stage wins on the first weekend of movement.
Italy path by solely a stage after their win over Wales on Saturday whereas Warren Gatland’s males are on the foot of the desk, nonetheless are on one stage having picked up a shedding bonus stage.
02:05 PM GMT
So far this weekend
Wales fell to a 14th successive defeat as they’d been crushed 22-15 by Italy in Rome on Saturday, taking them one step nearer to back-to-back Wooden Spoons.
In Saturday’s later kick-off, England scored a 79th-minute try and beat France 26-25 in dramatic type and protect their hopes of a major Six Nations title since 2020 alive.
02:01 PM GMT
Winning begins
Scotland survived an Italy comeback of their opening Six Nations match last weekend, as Huw Jones scored a hat-trick of tries to supply the hosts a bonus-point 31-19 win at Murrayfield.
Meanwhile, Ireland scored three tries in a dominant second-half present as they started their bid for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title with a 27-22 bonus-point victory over England in Dublin.
01:57 PM GMT
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01:52 PM GMT
Those teams in full
Scotland: 15-Kinghorn, 14-Graham, 13-Jones, 12-Jordan, 11-Van der Merwe; 10-Russell (co-capt), 9-White; 1-Sutherland, 2-Cherry, 3-Z. Fagerson, 4-J. Gray, 5-Gilchrist, 6-M Fagerson, 7-R Darge (co-capt), 8-Dempsey.
Replacements: 16-Ashman, 17-Schoeman, 18-Hurd, 19-Skinner, 20-Brown, 21-Ritchie, 22-Dobie, 23-McDowall.
Ireland: 15-Keenan; 14-Nash, 13-Henshaw, 12-Aki, 11-Lowe; 10-Prendergast, 9-Gibson-Park; 1-Porter, 2-Kelleher, 3-Bealham, 4-Ryan, 5-Beirne; 6-O’Mahony, 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris (capt).
Replacements: 16-Sheehan, 17-Healy, 18-Clarkson, 19-Baird, 20-Conan, 21-Murray, 22-Crowley, 23-Ringrose.
01:47 PM GMT
Holders make three modifications
Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby has moreover made three modifications to the side which started inside the win over England last weekend as Nash, Henshaw and O’Mahoney can be found in for Hansen, who’s out with a hamstring harm, Ringrose and Baird.
ℹ️ Mack Hansen has been withdrawn from Sunday’s Match Day Squad as a precaution due to hamstring tightness.
Calvin Nash will take his place on the exact wing and might make his ninth Ireland look.#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/AxCr9JKWLT
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 8, 2025
01:42 PM GMT
Three modifications for Scotland
There are three modifications to the Scotland side which started inside the victory over Italy as head coach Gregor Townsend brings in Jordan, making his first Six Nations start, Sutherland and Dempsey.
01:37 PM GMT
Preview: Can Scots stop the rot in the direction of holders?
Good afternoon and welcome to remain safety of the Six Nations as Scotland host Ireland at Murrayfield, with Gregor Townsend’s side in search of to complete a 10-match shedding streak in the direction of the holders. Ireland, who’re bidding for an unprecedented third successive title, had been last crushed by Scotland inside the 2017 Six Nations and have gained 21 of the 25 conferences between the worldwide areas inside the opponents.
Both sides purchased off to worthwhile begins last weekend as Scotland survived a late Italian comeback to protected a bonus stage victory at Murrayfield whereas Ireland produced a dominant second-half present over England in Dublin to moreover earn themselves a bonus stage triumph as they started their title defence.
The holders had been with out their head coach Andy Farrell, who’s on British and Irish Lions accountability, nonetheless they appeared unaffected by his absence as they registered a thirteenth win from their last 14 Six Nations ties beneath the steering of interim boss Simon Easterby. The hosts this afternoon also have a run of outcomes to boast of though, having gained eight of their 9 Tests since being crushed by Ireland inside the 2024 championship.
They had been, nonetheless, dealt an unlimited blow ahead of the occasion with their captain Sione Tuipulotu being among the many many many dominated out by way of harm. Since the 27-year-old’s debut in 2022, Townsend’s males have gained merely two Six Nations video video games with out him inside the side, with every victories coming in the direction of Italy.
With England defeating the French in dramatic type on Saturday, the two sides know that victory this afternoon will be adequate to see them go to the very best of the standings, a minimum of three components away from their challengers.
