Ireland overcome stubborn Scotland to clinch Triple Crown
Guinness Six Nations
Ireland 43-21 Scotland
Ireland pulled away from Scotland in a pulsating Six Nations Triple Crown decider to keep their championship hopes alive and end the Scots’ trophy dreams.
In a breathless and full-blooded Dublin encounter, Ireland held off a spirited second-half surge from Scotland to deny Gregor Townsend’s side a first Triple Crown since 1990 and a possible first championship since 1999.
While a 12th successive loss against Ireland ended Scotland’s ambitions, the bonus-point victory moves the Irish three points clear of holders France, who face England in Paris in Saturday’s Six Nations finale (20:10 GMT).
In a raucous Aviva Stadium atmosphere, Ireland full-back Jamie Osborne and Scotland wing Darcy Graham traded early tries before Dan Sheehan and Robert Baloucoune crossed to give the Irish a 19-7 half-time lead.
Scotland, who came into the game on the back of a stunning 50-40 victory over France, raised hopes of a first win in Dublin since 2010 when Finn Russell and Rory Darge scored either side of Darragh Murray’s bonus-point score for the hosts.
But Scotland were left shattered following a rousing finish from Ireland as Tommy O’Brien scored twice to spark ecstatic celebrations among the home support.
The win seals Ireland’s fourth Triple Crown in five years and leaves Andy Farrell’s side with an anxious wait to see if England can do them a favour at the Stade de France.
Given the stakes, a cagey start would have been excused, but these old rivals had other ideas during a thunderously captivating first half.
As has often been the case in this fixture recently, Ireland struck first when the in-form Osborne ran in under the posts in the third minute for his fourth try of the tournament. A scrum penalty against Zander Fagerson had given the hosts their platform to attack.
But Scotland scored 40 unanswered points after falling behind against France last week and they were unmoved by Ireland’s early salvo as they expertly navigated 19 phases before Graham scampered clear in the corner.
Graham was caught offside following the restart, however, and Jack Crowley kicked to the corner, with Sheehan peeling off the resultant maul to score.
Scotland again pushed for immediate retaliation, but their momentum was killed when Stuart McCloskey’s crunching tackle on Russell turned the ball over in Ireland’s favour.
Then, in Ireland’s next meaningful attack, McCloskey swung a killer pass out to Baloucoune, who shrugged off Graham to score in the corner.
Scotland were unable to narrow the deficit in the second quarter, leaving head coach Gregor Townsend with an enormous half-time team talk.
Going into Saturday’s game, Ireland were unbeaten in 30 Six Nations home matches when leading at the break, illustrating the scale of Scotland’s second-half task.
But the men in blue gave it a good crack at the start of the half with Russell shrugging off a frustrating start to the match to cross at the end of a sustained spell of Scottish pressure.
Six Nations debutant Murray then sniped over for Ireland’s bonus score, but the home side’s mettle was tested again when Darge capped an excellent Scotland attack to bring the visitors back to within five points.
At that point it was anyone’s game, but Farrell responded by unloading his bench – including a first appearance for Bundee Aki after suspension – and it breathed new life into the Irish challenge.
O’Brien collected Ciaran Frawley’s pass and extended the hosts’ advantage, meaning the Scots required a big final push. It was beyond them.
After Crowley’s penalty gave Ireland breathing space, O’Brien raced away for his second score in the dying minutes as the Fields of Athenry rang out to complete a superb win and leave Scotland’s bid for silverware in tatters for at least another year.
While Ireland celebrated a 15th Triple Crown – and ninth of the Six Nations era – captain Caelan Doris admitted they will be cheering on England when they take on holders France in Paris in the conclusion to an enormously entertaining championship.
Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Tommy O’Brien; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher (for Sheehan, 65), Michael Milne (for O’Toole, 65), Finlay Bealham (for Furlong, 65), Darragh Murray (for Beirne, 50-60 Blood and for McCarthy, 65)), Nick Timoney (for Van der Flier, 52), Craig Casey (for Gibson-Park, 77), Ciarán Frawley (for Baloucoune, 65), Bundee Aki (for Ringrose, 65).
Scotland: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn; Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Max Williamson, Grant Gilchrist; Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman (for Turner, 17 HIA), Rory Sutherland (for Schoeman, 69), D’Arcy Rae (for Z Fagerson, 69), Alex Craig (for Williamson 61), Magnus Bradbury (for Dempsey, 61), George Horne (for White, 61), Kyle Rowe (for Graham, 61), Tom Jordan (for Rowe, 69).
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
