Irish miss the bonus but stay on course for Slam

Harry Byrne converted, in addition to an earlier penalty, to make it 10-0 at the break.

That was how the score remained until 15 minutes remaining when Irish No.8 John Hodnett gave them a bit of breathing space when he crossed for a converted effort to make it 17-0.

Skipper Connor Boyle bagged an unconverted try for Scotland, but a brilliant individual effort from winger Jonathan Wren, again converted by Byrne, saw Ireland home, but without a bonus point. DYLAN Tierney-Martin made it three tries in two matches to help Ireland to this clinical win over Scotland.

The Irish built on their stunning victory over England last time out with this 24-5 victory at Gala’s Netherdale ground.

Ireland head coach Noel McNamara said: “Scotland made it very, very difficult for us, but on the balance of it we’re two from two – we’ve come away from this game with four points when a lot of Irish teams in the past have maybe struggled to get a result.”

Opposite number Carl Hogg said: “I felt at halftime if we could get some field position we were very much in the game, but I don’t think we managed the conditions to our benefit.”

Connacht hooker Tierney-Martin, who switched from the back row only last season, backed up his brace against England with the opening try in a tight first half, forcing his way over from close range.