Ireland vs Scotland LIVE: Result and latest reaction from Autumn Nations Cup
Follow the latest updates from the third-place play-off at the Aviva Stadium
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates as Ireland take on Scotland in the battle to claim third in the Autumn Nations Cup as Finals Weekend continues.
After Georgia and Fiji raised the curtain on today’s action, it’s the turn of the two group runners-up to take centre stage in the third-place play-off. It’s of course not the game that either wanted to be in, with Ireland coming unstuck against England earlier in the tournament while Scotland lost their decider to the French, but both sides have signalled their intent to end the year on a high with the Six Nations just around the corner.
Ireland will be led by returning captain Johnny Sexton who has recovered from a hamstring strain suffered in the opening game against Wales, while Scotland turn to debutant fly-half Jaco van der Welt in the hope of finding a replacement for injured duo Finn Russell and Adam Hastings. Follow the live updates below.
49 mins: Ireland 18-9 Scotland
Ireland are starting to shift through the gears as they win another penalty with Gray offside, and Sexton turns down the shot at goal to kick to the corner as they go for the jugular.
44 mins: Ireland 18-9 Scotland
The replays show Cian Healy picking from the base and, with the help of Herring, Doris and Roux, he powers over to score. That could really suck the wind out of Scotland’s sails, as Sexton adds the simple conversion.
44 mins: Ireland 11-9 Scotland
Doris goes close as he slips out of a tackle, and Ireland are camped at the base of the uprights in a pile of bodies … Healy goes and Ireland are celebrating … we go to the TMO again!
42 mins: Ireland 11-9 Scotland
Scotland safely negotiate the start of the half and find touch, and Taylor returns to restore them to a full compliment. However, it hasn’t changed the flow of the game as a net Sexton kicks pins Hogg deep, with Earls and Henshaw combining to drive the full-back into touch and give the Irish a big chance in the Scottish 22.
41 mins: Ireland 11-9 Scotland
Ireland kick off to get the second half under way!
Half-time: Ireland 11-9 Scotland
Despite the relative lack of try-scoring opportunities, I have to say that was quite an intriguing half of rugby there. Scotland were clearly in the ascendancy for the opening 20 minutes, with Van der Walt taking three of his four shots at goal after Sexton’s early miss, but they never really looked like scoring a try and that proved the problem.
Having kept their try line intact, Ireland grew in confidence and the yellow card to Taylor for deliberately blocking Aki’s pass with a huge overlap proved the catalyst for the swing in balance, with Sexton’s creativity and Earls’ refusal to let the opportunity go resulting in the late try at the end of the half that has put the home side in front.
40 mins: Ireland 11-9 Scotland
Ireland safely negotiate the restart and find touch to bring an end to a half that has really swung around!
Ireland 11-9 Scotland
38 mins: Ireland 11-9 Scotland
That’s incredibly smart stuff from Sexton! He kicks to the blindside off the inside of his boot, and Henshaw soars over the head of Graham that forces the Scotland wing to knock the ball forwards, which in turn allows Keith Earls to react first and dive on it to score the first try of the match. Sexton misses the conversion though, so the lead is only two points, and to add to things Henderson is going off injured with Quinn Roux on in the second row.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments