Six Nations: Ireland 32 Scotland 14

Ireland battled their way through this difficult fixture, scoring four tries to see off an awkward, but somewhat subdued, Scotland.

I’d expected to see more from the Scottish who, despite their results, had been playing well in this series but Ireland proved much more clinical making the most of their opportunities to score through Rory Best, Eion Reddan, Andrew Trimble and Fergus McFadden. Sexton chipped in with 3 conversions and two penalties.

Scotland went into a  –  lead through two Laidlaw penalties but Ireland captured the lead with their first real opportunity. Ulster’s Best, captain in the absence of O’Connell, had the courage to turn down a kickable penalty and opt for a kick to the corner. The resulting line out saw a well planned front of the line move with Best blasting over in the corner for Ireland’s first. Sexton converted from out wide and Ireland led 7 – 6.

Sexton and Laidlaw swapped penalties to move the score on to 10 – 9 with the game getting a bit scrappy and Ireland’s second try owed something to the untidy nature of the game.

Heaslip charged upfield off a quick tap penalty and it looked as though he . . .