Scotland vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Latest Six Nations result and reaction after visitors seize control of championship
Scotland 18-32 Ireland: Sam Prendergast controlled affairs superbly as Ireland secured an 11th consecutive win in this fixture
A dominant Ireland seized control of the Six Nations as they continued their supremacy over Scotland with an 11th consecutive victory.
Simon Easterby’s side remain on course for a grand slam after the opening two rounds of the tournament, backing up a win against England with a controlled, cohesive and calm performance at Murrayfield. A final score of 32-18 only half reflects their dominance across most of the contest, with a fast start setting up a victory that rarely seemed in doubt.
Scotland endured a disastrous opening half-hour, barely able to escape their own 22 and losing Finn Russell and Darcy Graham to injury after a nasty head clash. With Duhan van der Merwe also sin-binned, there were fortunate not to be more than 17 points down and showed spirit to rally to within seven of their visitors after the interval. But tries from James Lowe and Jack Conan powered Ireland to a bonus point and continued their hoodoo over Scotland, with Sam Prendergast mightily impressive throughout on his second Six Nations start at fly half.
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Supreme Ireland continue hunt for Six Nations history as Scotland found wanting again
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 disastrous first half in which they allowed the dominant Irish to build a 17-0 lead through tries from Calvin Nash and captain Caelan Doris while also losing three of their most influential backs: Duhan van der Merwe to a yellow card, and both talismanic 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 reasserted their authority with further scores from James Lowe and substitute Jack Conan securing the bonus point and taking the game beyond the Scots, who added a late consolation through Ben White.
Supreme Ireland continue hunt for Six Nations history as Scotland found wanting again
Ireland captain Caelan Doris reflects on victory
"There is a feeling of satisfaction after that one,” Doris tells the BBC.
"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."
Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast named player of the match
“It was an unbelievable game and a savage atmosphere,” Prendergast says after a very composed showing. “The anthems were pretty special.
"I thought we started unbelievably in the game. We put so much pressure on. We did really well in the second half when they got their purple patch to come back.
"It wasn't perfect from us but it was better than last week and we'll keep trying to get better week on week."
FT: Scotland 18-32 Ireland
Onwards Ireland go in their hunt for history. That’s 11 straight against Scotland now - how Gregor Townsend must agonise over this fixture, his side just never quite seeming to be able to produce their best against this particular foe.
They had a fair-bit of il-fortune today with those early injuries to Finn Russell and Darcy Graham, but Ireland had controlled affairs until then and seldom looked like slipping thereafter. They seize control of the championship.
FULL TIME: Scotland 18-32 Ireland
Scotland 18-32 Ireland 80 minutes
Final score here in Murrayfield 32-18 for Ireland as they win their 11th consecutive Six Nations game vs Scotland, topping the table after the second week of the tournament
Scotland 18-32 80 minutes
Sam Prendergast the Man of the Match for Ireland as they look to see out the final minutes of the game.
They make ground off a solid scrum but Scotland turn it over. Scotland try to attack from deep but cannot hold on.
Irish scrum which could be the final act of this game
Scotland 18-32 Ireland 76 minutes
Try Ben White for Scotland. A clever snipe from the scrum half and he takes two Irish men over the line with him.
Kinghorn adds the extras and Scotland race back to their half to prepare for the kick off.
An interesting final few minutes to come
Scotland 11-32 Ireland 74 minutes
Scotland with a penalty advantage on the Irish 22m line as they continue to fight to take something from this game.
They kick to the corner and have an attacking lineout
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