Six Nations 2014: Ireland 28-6 Scotland

IRELAND (11) 28

  • Tries: Trimble, Heaslip, R Kearney
  • Cons: Sexton 2
  • Pens: Sexton 3

SCOTLAND (3) 6

  • Pens: Laidlaw 2

Ireland recovered from a nervous first-half display to run out comfortable winners against a disappointing Scotland side in the Six Nations clash.

With Paul O'Connell a late withdrawal for the Irish, Scotland bossed early possession but Andrew Trimble's try put the home side 11-3 ahead at the break.

Greig Laidlaw's second penalty gave the Scots hope but Jamie Heaslip's try left Ireland in firm control.

As the Irish attack improved, Rob Kearney notched a third home touchdown.

Scotland's early dominance of possession against the hesitant Irish suggested than an upset could be on the cards but the visiting attack had little penetration as the home side ran out comfortable winners.

Facing into his first Six Nations match since taking charge of the Irish, Joe Schmidt looked to have been dealt a major blow when captain O'Connell was ruled out after a chest infection worsened overnight.

With Ulster lock Dan Tuohy replacing O'Connell, there were particular questions about how the skipper's absence would impact on an Irish pack already minus injured Lions star Sean O'Brien.

However, the home side still had talisman Brian O'Driscoll out on the field as he celebrated earning an Irish record 129th cap.

With Heaslip assuming the Irish captaincy, early Scottish pressure yielded a fifth-minute penalty but Laidlaw's effort from 45 metres struck an upright.

A butchered Scottish line-out then gifted forward momentum to Ireland just short of halfway and the home team rolled a maul to within inches of the opposition line before over-prevarication resulted in a relieving scrum.

Sexton did kick the Irish into the lead on 14 minutes but it was a somewhat nervous opening by the home side as they were showing little of the invention which characterised their display against the All Blacks in November.

The Scots were back on terms in the 19th minute as Laidlaw slotted from just inside the 10-metre line after Devin Toner had been penalised for not rolling away.

Probably influenced by O'Connell's absence, the Irish were reluctant to kick for touch in the opening 20 minutes but that was giving the Scots opportunity to run with ball in hand.

An off-side infringement allowed Sexton to restore Ireland's lead in the 23rd minute but the Scots were continuing to boss possession.

The Scots turned down a kickable shot at the posts in the 29th minute but after losing their initial line-out, the Scots then went close to scoring the game's opening try as Dave Denton was bundled into touch by a last-ditch Peter O'Mahony tackle.

Scotland wing Sean Maitland had to be replaced by Max Evans because of an ankle injury in the 31st minute after landing awkwardly following an aerial duel with Dave Kearney.

The key period of the match then came before just the break as firstly Sexton's magnificent break from the edge of his own '22 ended with Heaslip being forced into touch at the corner flag by Evans as he attempted to ground.

Scotland's resultant misfiring line-out saw the Irish earning a penalty to keep the pressure on the visitors.

The gamble of taking the line-out was rewarded as Irish numbers out wide ended with Trimble crossing after fast hands from Marshall and Rob Kearney.

Sexton missed the apparently straightforward conversion but after having playing second fiddle in the possession stakes for all the first half, the Irish suddenly found themselves 11-3 ahead at half-time.

Scotland needed to score first after the break and they managed it with Laidlaw's second successful penalty on 43 minutes.

But the Irish effectively put the game to bed three minutes later as another rolling maul breached a powder-puff Scottish defence with Heaslip touching down after the Irish had turned down another probable routine three points to opt for a line-out.

Sexton added the conversion and as the Irish attack was finally finding some fluency, the fly-half added another three points in the 57th minute to extend the advantage to 15 points.

As the Irish emptied their bench, Rob Kearney broke through some more weak Scottish defence to notch the home team's third try 10 minutes from time.

TEAMS

Ireland : 15-Rob Kearney, 14-Andrew Trimble, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Luke Marshall, 11-Dave Kearney, 10-Jonny Sexton, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Mike Ross, 4-Devin Toner, 5-Paul O'Connell, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Chris Henry, 8-Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Jack McGrath, 18-Martin Moore, 19-Dan Tuohy, 20-Tommy O'Donnell, 21-Issac Boss, 22-Paddy Jackson; 23. Fergus McFadden

Scotland : 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Sean Maitland, 13-Alex Dunbar, 12-Duncan Taylor, 11-Sean Lamont, 10-Duncan Weir, 9-Greig Laidlaw; 1-Ryan Grant, 2-Ross Ford, 3-Moray Low, 4-Tim Swinson, 5-Jim Hamilton, 6-Ryan Wilson, 7-Kelly Brown, 8-David Denton

Replacements: 16-Pat MacArthur, 17-Alaistair Dickinson, 18-Geoff Cross, 19-Richie Gray, 20-Johnnie Beattie, 21-Chris Cusiter, 22-Matt Scott; 23-Max Evans

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee : Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Touch judges : Jaco Peyper (South Africa) and Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

TV : Carlo Damasco (Italy)