5 things we learned

Scots far too eager

Scotland shot themselves in the foot early in the game by getting on the wrong side of referee Pascal Gauzere. They conceded no less than seven penalties in the first 25 minutes — most at the the breakdown — gifting Ireland nine points. The sequence ended with John Barclay being sent to the bin, Ireland then scored 12 more points while he was away. With Dunbar in the bin later Ireland scored another seven.

Hogg is pride of Lions

Perhaps the player of the tournament — not just for Scotland, Stuart Hogg scored another masterful try. He will face competition from England’s Mike Brown but Hogg has a gift that anyone would want in their side. Off-the-cuff brilliance. Could become one of the greats.

Ireland hit their straps

This was Ireland’s most complete performance since the Pool stage of the World Cup. Johnny Sexton proved once again why he is the best 10 in Europe — a running threat as well as laser-pointer accurate with high kicks. The back row dominated Scotland with CJ Stander the star.

Weir just an understudy

How Scotland missed Finn Russell. Duncan Weir did not take the ball to the line in such a manner as Russell does and his kicking from hand was wayward. A kick-off out-on-the-full was Weir’s lowest ebb – he can never quite fill the shoes of his Glasgow team-mate.

We must demand more

This Championship has been so much better for Scotland — more verve in attack, more confidence and more tries. But they concede too much — an average of 23 points-a-match this tournament must improve. It is fine to be free-flowing, but a more miserly defence is required.