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Scotland vs Ireland LIVE rugby: Final score and result from Six Nations game today

Ireland took another step towards the Grand Slam

Harry Latham-Coyle
Sunday 12 March 2023 14:46 EDT
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Irish Rugby captain leads team training ahead of Scotland clash.mp4

Wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe scored a try each for Ireland as flyhalf Johnny Sexton became the joint leading scorer in Six Nations history following a pulsating 22-7 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Replacement number eight Jack Conan scored Irelandā€™s third try as they turned up the heat in the second half despite the loss of both hookers to injury, leading to flanker Josh van der Flier throwing in at the line-out and three props in the front row of the scrum.

Scotland were in the game at halftime as they trailed 8-7 having scored a try through centre Huw Jones, which will give them some confidence heading into the Rugby World Cup where they face Ireland and South Africa in their pool with only two teams to advance to the quarter-finals.

Ireland, who have claimed the Triple Crown and have their sights now set on a Grand Slam, lead the Six Nations table with 19 points from four games, four ahead of second-placed France.

They host England in their final game next Saturday while Scotland welcome Italy.

Scotland vs Ireland

Stuart Hogg wanders out of the Murrayfield tunnel with his two sons alongside him and daughter Olivia in his arms. Heā€™s greeted with a great roar, and there is also a wonderfully warm reception from the crowd for Garry Ringrose.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:55

Scotland vs Ireland

The two sets of players begin to ready themselves in the dressing rooms, slapping one another to charge their muscles ready for the contest.

Garry Ringrose will lead Ireland out as he wins his 50th cap; Stuart Hogg likewise heads the Scottish line as he hits double that tally.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:53

Scotland vs Ireland - Applause in memory of Siobhan Cattigan

Before kick off, a pause for applause in memory of the late Scottish number eight Siobhan Cattigan, who died in November 2021. Cattiganā€™s family have launched a legal case against Scottish Rugby and World Rugby after revealing to The Times that they felt the Scottish union had mismanaged a brain injury that ultimately led to the 26-year-oldā€™s death.

An overdue moment to remember a talented player whose life ended much too soon.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:53

Scotland vs Ireland

We havenā€™t really touched on the two fly-halves yet, but the influence that Finn Russell and Johnny Sexton exert on their respective sides requres little further exploration. Sexton needs only eight points to surpass Ronan Oā€™Gara as the top points scorer in competition history, while youā€™d think that a Scottish win may require more Russell conjuring.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:45

Scotland vs Ireland - Match Officials

It is an all English team of officials in Edinburgh this afternoon, with Luke Pearce given the whistle and two more international referees supporting him from the touchlines. Kieran Crowley was pretty punchy about Damon Murphyā€™s contribution to Italyā€™s defeat in Rome yesterday - Pearce, whose uber-communicative style and preference for haste in all facets tend to be liked by most players, will be hoping that neither head coach is quite as riled come the full time whistle.

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)

ARs: Wayne Barnes (RFU) & Christophe Ridley (RFU)

TMO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:44

Scotland vs Ireland - Andy Farrell is next in front of the microphone

ā€œWe are here now and there is an expectation of what we want to deliver ourselves today,ā€ the Ireland head coach says to the BBC. ā€œGame day is all about delivering.

ā€œThey have threats all over the field and are playing some fantastic rugby at this moment in time.

ā€œIt takes all sorts to win a championship. We expect the conditions to be a bit blustery out there, but weā€™ll adapt to that.ā€

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:41

Scotland vs Ireland - Gregor Townsend speaks to the BBC

The Scotland head coach says: ā€œYouā€™ve got to play close to your best level. Weā€™ve got to win the contact, slow down Irish ball, stop them getting into phase shape. Weā€™ve got to get quick ball - it is the best way of attacking for any team and help get our weapons into the game. Weā€™ve got to be consistent right throughout the 80 minutes.

ā€œThey are very cohesive as a team. Teams that start really well are confident with what they are doing. We feel in the England game and the Wales game we were in place with our effort and energy, and maybe werenā€™t ambitious enough. We certainly want our players to go for it today if there are opportunities.

On Stuart Hoggā€™s 100th capā€ ā€œMassive. He was the best player for Scotland in a number of teams when the team wasnā€™t going well. Heā€™s beeen a very good connector on the field. Heā€™s the loudest player on the field defensively. This week heā€™s been flying in training. Heā€™ll thrive in todayā€™s atmosphere - we hope it is a great day for him.ā€

Head coach Gregor Townsend wants Scotland to be ambitious
Head coach Gregor Townsend wants Scotland to be ambitious (PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:33

100 up for Stuart Hogg

Stuart Hogg becomes only the fourth Scotsman to hit 100 international appearances this afternoon, the full back bringing up his century at only 30 - youā€™d think heā€™ll still have plenty more caps to come. Hogg hasnā€™t perhaps been at his bubbling best in this campaign but heā€™s knitted things together neatly when required, and heā€™ll really fancy a standout performance today.

In a lovely touch, Hoggā€™s match shirt was presented to him this week by Scotlandā€™s other three male centurions - Ross Ford, Chris Paterson and Sean Lamont.

ā€œIt is going to be a hell of a challenge for us but one we are ready for and excited about,ā€ said Hogg ahead of this encounter. ā€œWe have prepped well for it.

ā€œYou want to play against the best players and the best team, and to have Ireland here, the number one ranked team in world rugby, is just quality for us.

ā€œWeā€™re hugely excited for it. Ireland are up there for a reason - theyā€™re incredibly good individually and collectively as a rugby team, and their record speaks volumes.

ā€œMyself and the rest of the boys respect them and admire them hugely, but we also know we can do a job on them and thatā€™s one that weā€™re excited for.ā€

ā€œIt is incredibly special. As a kid all I wanted to do was to play for Scotland. To be sitting here ahead of my 100th, I donā€™t know what to make of it as yet.ā€

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:25

Garry Ringroseā€™s return a major boost for Ireland

Somehow it feels like Garry Ringrose, such a consistent and well-rounded performer for both club and country, has always gone a little under-the-radar, but his importance defensively to this Ireland side was never clearer than in Rome. Italy repeatedly exploited a lack of lateral mobility in the visiting midfield to cut Andy Farrellā€™s side open, and Ringrose will have a key role to fix any fissures against a dangerous Scottish midfield.

The 28-year-old wins his 50th cap today, a fortnight later than planned after being forced to withdraw from the starting side initially named to take on Italy. Ringrose tends to take more plaudits for his work in attack, and Farrell will be glad to have Ringrose and Johnny Sexton back together on the pitch having been sat alongside one another in the Stadio Olimpico stands. Their intuitive understanding is vital to the way Ireland play.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:22

Can tweaked Scottish back row match Ireland?

It looks an intriguing little tweak from Gregor Townsend at the base of the Scottish scrum, with the Scotland head coach pushing his captain to a seven shirt he is more than comfortable filling to accommodate Jack Dempsey in the starting side. Some coaches would have been tempted to pick a couple of fetchers to try and slow Irish ball, but that is a strategy that didnā€™t particularly work for Wales. Instead, Townsend has a trio of grafters with a nice blend of athleticism and size, with Hamish Watson more than handy to have in reserve for the final quarter.

Dempsey and Matt Fagerson work well in combination for Glasgow, but this will be a major test of Scotlandā€™s chosen three against an Irish back row that works so cohesively and cleverly together, maximising their different strengths.

ā€œItā€™s more because of what Jackā€™s been doing off the bench and in training,ā€ Townsend replied when asked this week if it was an Ireland-specific selection decision. ā€œHeā€™s been really consistent in how heā€™s performed in training and heā€™s taken that into the bench.

ā€œWe feel that this is the right time to see this blend. Theyā€™re all ball carriers as is Hamish and heā€™ll have a big role to play in the last quarter of the game or longer potentially. Weā€™re playing the top side in the world and the last 20 minutes is going to be very important.ā€

Jamie Ritchie (left) has been shifted to openside flanker by Gregor Townsend
Jamie Ritchie (left) has been shifted to openside flanker by Gregor Townsend (AFP via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle12 March 2023 14:19

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