Ireland vs Australia LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from autumn international as Ireland edge to tight win
Ireland 13-10 Australia: Ross Byrne’s late pressure penalty was enough for the hosts to edge to victory after Bundee Aki got their only try
Ross Byrne landed a dramatic late penalty as Ireland overcame the loss of captain Johnny Sexton to cap a stellar year with a disjointed 13-10 win over Australia. Replacement fly-half Byrne nailed a difficult kick from wide on the right with just three minutes remaining in Dublin to earn Ireland a record-equalling 12th successive home victory.
Andy Farrell’s men struggled for large parts of a disappointing contest and could easily have ended 2022 with a serious reality check against opponents beaten by Italy just last weekend.
Ireland centre Bundee Aki marked his return from an eight-game ban with the opening try but the game remained in the balance in the closing stages after Jordan Petaia crossed for the Wallabies.
A difficult evening for the Irish began with talisman Sexton withdrawing through injury, with his deputy Jack Crowley booting five points on his maiden Test start before Byrne, who was elevated to the bench at the 11th hour, proving to be the match-winner.
Relive the action from the autumn international between Ireland and Australia below:
Full time! Scotland 52-29 Argentina
A fine send-off for Scotland as they conclude their 2022, the Murrayfield crowd enthralled by a day of delightful dancing from their side. Finn Russell starred, with Sione Tuipulotu and Darcy Graham joining in on the frolics and fun, and that’s a great way to close the year for Gregor Townsend’s side.
Right - swiftly onwards. Action is fast approaching at Twickenham, with the All Blacks visiting for the first time in four years.
TRY! Scotland 52-29 ARGENTINA (Ignacio Ruiz try, 87 minutes)
Argentina finish with a flourish!
It matters not beyond the final accounting, but after a sustained spell of phases on the Scottish line, Ignacio Ruiz manages to force through. The conversion adds two more points to the tally - and that’s all she wrote.
Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 85 minutes
Argentina are initially repelled, pushed back and forced outside of the Scottish 22. Juan Cruz Mallia bounces away ffrom Blair Kinghorn’s shoulder.
Murphy Walker gets over the ball...penalty to Argentina! Walker looked in strong position there but Karl Dickson wasn’t happy. One more go for Argentina.
YELLOW CARD! Sione Tuipulotu is sent to the sin bin! Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 83 minutes
Tuipulotu’s tackle tilts Mallia beyond the horizontal - it’s another yellow.
Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 82 minutes
Scotland are wise to the replacement number eight’s threat, and the danger of his burly mates, tooo, forcing Argentina to play wide.
Oof! Juan Cruz Mallia is deposited on his back by Sione Tuipulotu and remains down. Karl Dickson brings proceedings to a halt with his whistle and wanders over for a look at the footage.
Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 80 minutes
Time enough for a final Argentina score? Maybe, as Emiliano Boffelli shimmies up the left.
The forwards can’t make much headway but there’s a penalty for Los Pumas. Facundo Isa taps and goes.
Scotland 52-22 Argentina, 79 minutes
Scotland are having a bit of an end-of-term party now, flinging the ball about with glee. Stuart Hogg jives between a couple of defenders before Ben White hurls a low pass. Argentina’s ball with a minute left.
TRY! SCOTLAND 52-22 Argentina (Darcy Graham try, 78 minutes)
Scotland hit fifty!
A superbly executed strike move from Scotland. Finn Russell takes a pull-back pass, shifting on to Blair Kinghorn, who has the extra horsepower to really stretch the Argentine defence. Kinghorn gets to the outside in the 13 channel, forcing the wing to step in and allowing Graham enough room to slide into the corner.
Scotland 45-22 Argentina, 76 minutes
Argentina win a crossing penalty after the restart, but make a hash of the lineout, Jonny Gray playing spoilsport as the visitors eye a last hurrah.
Los Pumas are then pinged at a ruck wide on the left, and some words of complaint sees them marched back a further ten metres.
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