Ireland beat Scotland to keep title hopes alive

Men’s Six Nations

Ireland (19) 43

Tries: Osborne, Sheehan, Baloucoune, Murray, O’Brien 2 Cons: Crowley 5 Pen: Crowley

Scotland (7) 21

Ireland pulled away from Scotland in a pulsating Six Nations Triple Crown decider to keep their championship hopes alive and end the Scots’ trophy hopes.

In a breathless and full-blooded Dublin encounter, Ireland held off a spirited second-half surge from Scotland to deny Gregor Townsend’s side a first Triple Crown since 1990 and a possible first championship since 1999.

Ireland: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, O’Brien; Crowley, Gibson-Park; O’Toole, Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy, Beirne, Conan, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).

Replacements: Kelleher, Milne, Bealham, Murray, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, Aki.

Scotland: Kinghorn; Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Steyn; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Gilchrist, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Referee: Luke Pearce

Assistant referees: Angus Gardner & Damian Schneider

Television match official: Andrew Jackson