Scotland edge out Ireland with last-minute McGhie try

Women’s Six Nations

Scotland (12) 26

Cons: Nelson (3) Tries: Skeldon, Orr, Malcolm, McGhie

Ireland (7) 19

Scotland won the Women’s Six Nations game in dramatic style thanks to Francesca McGhie’s late try.

Ireland started the second half dominating and scoring first with a try from Amee-Leigh Costigan, but scores from Emma Orr and Lana Skeldon gave Scotland a 12-7 lead at half-time.

Before McGhie’s score in the final play sealed an extraordinary win for Ireland, Linda Djougang and Emily Lane both scored for the hosts on either Rachel McLachlan try and the hosts’ try.

Before Italy hosts Wales on Sunday, Scotland moves up to fourth place while Ireland are still in third place.

The Irish made the perfect start to the championship, winning three games away against Italy and Wales.

After finding Costigan for a brilliant try, Molly Scuffil-McCabe noticed a gap in the Scotland fringe defence and turned the burners to break free.

Scotland’s only chance to win the game was when they were battling to get back into it.

After touching down for her 19th try in Scotland colors, hooker Skeldon was left holding the ball as the rolling maul rumbled over the line.

Scotland were clinging on, and Ireland seemed to be going to burst the dam until second row Sarah Bonar pounced for an interception and kicked the ball past the Ireland 22.

In the final minute of the second half, Ireland scrambled back but was unable to remove the ball.

Orr slalom through for a superb score to give the home side an unlikely five-point lead at the break thanks to the Scots’ incredible composure and engineered space.

When Rhona Lloyd was sent to the sin bin for head-to-head contact with Costigan in the lead-up to the score, Djougang was not denied her try and went on to level things at 12-12. Further, Scotland’s cause was further hampered by this.

The Scots persevered throughout the game, even when there was some accuracy, and excelled when they had a chance to make a special entrance into Ireland.

Chloe Rollie fended off a tackle before sending a stunning pass over the back door for McLachlan to dive over in the corner.

The home team now had a 19-12 lead in a game in which they had endured prolonged periods of cosh dominance.

However, Ireland remained unaffected and continued to exert pressure on Scotland, particularly during rush hour.

When another player received a yellow card, this time for an infringement at a ruck, the home side were barely able to recover from their defeat as the Scots fought more valiantly to defend their try line.

When substitute Lane dived over and O’Brien slotted over the conversion to make it all square again, the pressure eventually came to an end.