Ruthless Ireland reinforce dominance over Scotland

Men’s Six Nations

Scotland (5) 18

Tries: Van der Merwe, White Cons: Kinghorn Pens: Kinghorn 2

Ireland (17) 32

With an 11th victory in a row over a dismal Scotland at Murrayfield, Ireland maintained their Six Nations Grand Slam hopes.

With tries from Calvin Nash and Caelan Doris, both of whom were converted by Sam Prendergast, the visitors took on their hosts and took a 17-0 lead.

Finn Russell and Darcy Graham collided early in the second quarter, making their fate worse. Both were taken off the field, with the wing being stretchered off after receiving extensive treatment on the pitch.

Scotland regained some hope after Blair Kinghorn added two penalties early in the second half thanks to Duhan van der Merwe’s spectacular finish at the end of the opening half.

Ireland were ruthless from there, though. They were utterly dominant. Within seven minutes of each other approaching the hour mark, James Lowe and Jack Conan had scored.

Having lost 10 in a row against Ireland, the hosts needed the start of their dreams. The nightmare they encountered was just the beginning.

Ireland predominated in the aerial battle, which was always going to be significant. The majority of the collisions were inevitable, and Ireland triumphed in most of them.

Scotland had to create a lead and make Irish people doubtful, but they did so first, and only their defense and some good fortune prevented them from conceding again in good faith.

From the get-go, it was all Ireland. Green waves and waves fending off Scottish errors. The visitors had been pounding on the door for a while before Nash scored. Scotland waited until they could no longer hang on.

Playing another penalty advantage, Prendergast whipped a long pass out to Nash, who had kept his width. In his splendid isolation, the Munster wing scored easily. It was 7-0 thanks to Prendergast. So much for Scottish fire and brimstone.

Early in the second quarter, Ireland kicked on again with purpose.

It followed Kinghorn, having a deeply unpleasant time, getting charged down and, when Robbie Henshaw hacked it downfield, there was a chase for the loose ball between Nash and Van der Merwe.

Had the Scot deliberately played his opposite number before the ball hit the other player and went dead? A penalty try, perhaps? No, said the officials. Nash wouldn’t have touched down had there been no collision, but it was mightily close.

Van der Merwe was still imprisoned for excluding Nash from the action. Cue more Irish heat.

Once, twice, they were held up over the Scottish line. The Scots only had a small amount of defensive resistance, but that was before they lost it.

Early in the second half, Russell and Graham collided with one another in an effort to stop Jamison Gibson Park before crashing into each other in a terrifying situation.

After an HIA, Russell did not return, so Graham was taken away on a stretcher. Two critical operators, gone. And then, to top it off, Prendergast gets three more points.

More than anyone had anticipated, the visitors were winning.

At the conclusion of the second half, Scotland received a lineout close to the Irish line, so they went straight ahead, passed Jack Dempsey, and discovered the holy grail of quick ruck ball and precise hands.

Huw Jones fed McDowall, who slipped it out the side door to Van der Merwe. His finish was sensational.

Early in the new half, there was a further sliver of hope. Scotland was penalized for a strong start. Kinghorn banged it over. A nine-point game now.

Still a mountain to climb, but there was an edge to the Scots now that wasn’t there before.

Ireland scrambled as a result of Kinghorn’s deep attack. Henshaw came within a whisker of being done for a deliberate knock-on, a yellow card and possibly a penalty try, but like Van der Merwe, he escaped.

From the posts, Kinghorn cut the gap to six before the penalty advantage was imposed. At Murrayfield, there are eleven unanswered questions and rising expectations.

Ireland were having none of Scotland’s revival, though. They finally settled the conflict in the seven minutes leading up to the hour.

After Scotland were dragged right and left, Lowe completed it. Kinghorn, who had jumped out of the line, was escorted by the wing.

After taking advantage of a woefully flat Scotland defense with a kick over the top, Prendergast converted to make it 24-11.

Ireland didn’t have to do a lot of work to turn Conan over for the bonus point try with no backfield players.

The White and the Prendergast Penalty attempted to arrive, but they were academically incorrect.

I thought the players were returning, but once Ireland broke into our 22 they showed how patient they are. When you are behind on the scoreboard against a quality side, you need to make sure they don’t get more opportunities.

“We’ll get learnings. The first thing would be accuracy.

Ireland’s interim head coach, Simon Easterby, stated, “We did what we set out to do in the game. Scotland had a few chances in the first half despite a strong start.

” We were good at not giving their individuals opportunities. Finn Russell and Darcy Graham were both hurt, but we made it right by launching an attack.

Replacements: 16-Ashman, 17-Schoeman, 18-Hurd, 19-Skinner, 20-Brown, 21-Ritchie, 22-Dobie, 23-McDowall.

Ireland: 15-Keenan, 14-Nash, 13-Henshaw, 12-Aki, 11-Lowe, 10-Prendergast, 9-Gibson-Park, 1-Porter, 2-Kelleher, 3-Bealham, 4-Ryan, 5-Beirne, 6-O’Mahony, 7-Van der Flier, 8-Doris (capt).