A NATIO AGAIN
It’s back-to-back Championships for green giants
SWEET 16 for Ireland as they finally broke Scotland’s resistance to lift the Six Nations trophy.
After a series of near misses, the hosts’ second half dominance finally delivered Andrew Porter’s killer try with 15 minutes to go after Dan Sheehan touched down in the first half.
But it was a nervy encounter to the end for Andy Farrell and his side against the Triple Crown chasing visitors, whose 78th minute try left the Aviva Stadium crowd on the edge of their seats.
Fortunately for those hoping to party into the night, Ireland held firm in the closing moments to finish on top in a bruising, scrappy encounter.
James Lowe’s kick to touch ended the agony and Ireland’s 16th title triumph - only their third ever back to back - was secured.
The celebrations that followed swept away the disappointment of Twickenham - and the lost chance to make it an historic back to back Grand Slam.
There was drama before kickoff as speculation grew that Ireland skipper Peter O’mahony was going to retire from the Test arena after the game.
The sight of the skipper crying as Ireland’s Call came to an end only added to the intrigue.
Furthermore, Hugo Keenan had to cry off after suffering a hip injury in the warm-up.
Keenan’s absence opened the door for Jordan Larmour’s first international start since the 2021 Six Nations - and his first at fullback since the 2019 World Cup.
A first minute Dan Sheehan turnover failed to settle Ireland - and a poor lineout in Scotland’s 22 added to frayed nerves.
The Scots were unlucky not to draw first blood when an inspired Andy Christie charged down James Lowe’s clearance and the ball ricocheted into touch.
The hosts impinged at the lineout, gifting their rivals a free five metres from their line - but Joe Mccarthy turned the tide, ripping the ball from Zander Fagerson. Ireland went on the offensive. Jack Crowley pinned the Scots back in their own 22 with two grubber kicks and a penalty.
Then George Turner’s overthrow to Grant Gilchrist sailed straight into Sheehan’s arms for his 10th Test try in. Ireland got their passing game going but were frustrated by Christie in particular at the breakdown.
For their part, the Scots had an inkling of an opening when Stafford Mcdowall broke Bundee Aki’s tackle in midfield but they failed to take advantage.
The last scoring chance of a scrappy half went to Jack Crowley, who took aim from the Scots’ 10m line after Christie was pinged for crossing, but the No.10 fired wide.
But the home side came out firing from the restart. James
Lowe did superbly to make hard yards on the wing before passing inside to Aki, then O’mahony kept the move alive off a poor Crowley pass.
The Scots went off their feet at the ruck and Crowley tapped over to make it 10-6. Finn Russell kicked straight to touch from the restart, Ireland won a penalty from the scrum on half-way and suddenly the home crowd were as energised as their team.
Sensing blood, Ireland piled into the attack with their best move of the game and, off a five metre penalty, Tadhg Furlong thought he scored.
Ref Matthew Carley and his officials, however, felt that he lost control just before dotting down - with Christie’s touch crucial to his side’s cause.
Another chance went a-begging in the 54th minute - once more it was Christie who was there, this time denying Calvin Nash after his swerve inside beat four defenders. And Ireland blew a third opportunity on the hour when Garry Ringrose, who had just come on for Nash, knocked forward close to the line.
Ringrose redeemed himself with a lung-busting charge up the right wing as the Scots coughed up possession.
Farrell’s side couldn’t find a way through but the Scots conceded a close-range penalty and, with Ewen Ashman sent to the sin-bin, Sheehan’s tap set up Porter to crash over.
That, with Crowley’s conversion, gave Ireland the cushion they needed, especially when Huw Jones’ 78th minute try was converted by Russell.
Ireland held firm in a brusing and scrappy affair to get party started
IRELAND: Tries: Sheehan (13), Porter (65) Conversions: Crowley (14,65), Pens: Crowley (43) SCOTLAND: Tries: Jones (77) Conversions: Russell (78), Penalties: Russell (8,18)