Ireland have bounced back from their week one loss to England to notch a hard-fought 22-13 win over Scotland.
Ireland survived the loss of Jonny Sexton to injury in the first half to grind out a tough victory.
Scotland started brightly at Murrayfield but a mix-up at the back gifted the visitors an early try to Connor Murray.
Tommy Seymour threw an unnecessary pass and Murray pounced to score.
Scotland lost Stuart Hogg to injury, and then went further behind after a brilliant set backline play.
A planned move unleashed Jacob Stockdale and he raced away from 45 metres out to touch down.
Ireland took a commanding 12-3 lead in the 17th minute.
But Scotland, after Joey Carberry replaced Sexton, hit back through Russell. The fly-half intercepted Carberry’s pass and offloaded to Sam Johnson for a quality try.
Greig Laidlaw converted to make it 12-10.
Ireland withstood huge pressure right before half-time to keep their two-point buffer at the break.
In the second half the visitors found a second gear to close out the match.
It was the sub Carberry who burst through the middle and set up Robbie Earls for the try in the corner.
In the 62nd minute Laidlaw cut it back to 19-13 with a penalty goal.
But with 12 minutes left Carberry nailed a penalty of his own to take it to 22-13.
Scotland pushed for a response but their handling let them down. The hosts made 14 errors to just seven for Ireland.
The victory moves Ireland up to fourth spot on the Six Nations table with four points.
Final score
Scotland 13
Ireland 22
Ireland bid to get their Six Nations campaign back on track as they visit Murrayfield to meet Scotland. Join The Roar from 1:15am AEDT for live scores and a blog of the match.
Ireland suffered a stunning 32-20 loss in Round 1 in Dublin. Battered and bruised, they will be out to rebound in a positive manner in Round 2.
Scotland notched a solid 33-20 win in Edinburgh over Italy last weekend. The Scots will be full of confidence as they ready to host the Irish on home soil.
Joe Schmidt has made several changes to his squad, with injuries to backs Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw meaning they will miss the match.
In their place Rob Kearney returns at fullback and Chris Farrell comes in at outside centre. There is also several changes in the forwards with Quinn Roux taking the place of the injured Devin Toner at lock.
Jack Conan has replaced CJ Stander at No.8, while Sean O’Brien comes in for Josh van der Flier in the back-row.
Gregor Townsend has made his own changes to his team, surprisingly dropping Blair Kinghorn after he grabbed a hat-trick of tries against Italy.
Kinghorn has been dropped to the bench with Sean Maitland taking his starting spot. Simon Berghan replaced Willem Nel at tight-head, while Jonny Gray takes Ben Toolis’ spot.
Josh Strauss starts at number eight, with Ryan Wilson moving to blind-side.
There is more shuffling on the bench with hooker Fraser Brown taking over from Jake Kerr and D’arcy Rae coming in at tight-head cover with Berghan promoted to the starting team.
Rob Harley replaces Gary Graham as the back-row option, Pete Horne takes over from Adam Hastings as cover at fly-half and centre with Chris Harris omitted from the 23-man squad.
Prediction
Ireland will be hurting after their stunning loss to England. They need to win this one to have any chance of lifting the Six Nations in 2019.
Ireland to win by 12 points.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the match from 1:15am AEDT.
Where: Murrayfield
When: 1:15am AEDT
TV: beIN Sports
Betting: Scotland $2.25, Draw $28, Ireland $1.47
taylorman
Roar Guru
Maybe because I tend to think before I post...:-)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
You are funny and, as always, you are also full of top-notch BS.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I could, but kids from the islands dont have the same profound desires playing for the best side in rugby when theyre 4. Their inspiration will be playing for the ABs as well. Good try though.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ok, read that comment somewhere, shouldve checked for myself, I usually do.
Joseph
Guest
T-Man.. ABs and Boks cannot meet in the semis with the way the draw has eventuated. After pool play.. the next time they can meet is ONLY the final.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Does the same logic you use to explain Carbery's success translate to all the AB players that has been born (and raised) on the "Islands" but moved to NZ when they are kids or teens?
Harry Jones
Expert
Can’t happen.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Not if they both meet semis.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Really enjoyed the game again, proper test match stuff, but by gee Irish are taking the lets squeeze the life out of the opposition to the max. They certainly don't risk anything, and good on them ,play to your strength I believe, and as I said last week with Sexton and Akee at 10 & 12 it is always going to be a pretty set pattern of how they play. Scots although not as successful as they would like are still playing a good style of rugby, and perhaps lack a little bit of depth, but I imagine any young fans over there would be seeing a lot of the game they play as attractive, which will only help get more kids wanting to play the game. All in all another bloody good game I thought.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Young Auckland born and AB supporter Carbery looks the goods, has a real kiwi inspired like for attacking rugby. Moved to Ireland at 11 but took with him a love for rigby that was never going to be held back. Set to take the reigns from Sexton and then we’ll get some real attacking play once he’s settled in. Took that ball from poor play behind the gain line, crashed through a lock and prop and hes off. The ‘other moment’ was the nice timing of sexton to latch onto Stockdales well timed run for his try. Two moments that separated the two sides. The rest....very lacklustre, the expected attrition, lets sort eachothers bicep size out stuff.
Joseph
Guest
I agree Harry. My prediction remains: no matter who wins their pool play match, the Boks and ABs will contest the final.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT Ireland have bounced back from their week one loss to England to notch a hard-fought 22-13 win over Scotland. Ireland survived the loss of Jonny Sexton to injury in the first half to grind out a tough victory. Scotland started brightly at Murrayfield but a mix-up at the back gifted the visitors an early try to Connor Murray. Tommy Seymour threw an unnecessary pass and Murray pounced to score. Scotland lost Stuart Hogg to injury, and then went further behind after a brilliant set backline play. A planned move unleashed Jacob Stockdale and he raced away from 45 metres out to touch down. Ireland took a commanding 12-3 lead in the 17th minute. But Scotland, after Joey Carberry replaced Sexton, hit back through Russell. The fly-half intercepted Carberry’s pass and offloaded to Sam Johnson for a quality try. Greig Laidlaw converted to make it 12-10. Ireland withstood huge pressure right before half-time to keep their two-point buffer at the break. In the second half the visitors found a second gear to close out the match. It was the sub Carberry who burst through the middle and set up Robbie Earls for the try in the corner. In the 62nd minute Laidlaw cut it back to 19-13 with a penalty goal. But with 12 minutes left Carberry nailed a penalty of his own to take it to 22-13. Scotland pushed for a response but their handling let them down. The hosts made 14 errors to just seven for Ireland. The victory moves Ireland up to fourth spot on the Six Nations table with four points.
Harry Jones
Expert
Well done, Ireland. They’ll feel confident in September in Yokohama. But Hansen and Erasmus can see how to win the QF. Score don’t have the cattle to do it.
Highlander
Guest
Job done Ireland, had to get the win here and did enough but not sure they will take any real encouragement from the performance. Scotland continue to be infuriating to watch, must drive the coaching team nuts, moments of real class combined with errors the French would be proud of. Wouldn’t be happy with Mr Poite if I was a Scotland fan, esp refereeing the breakdown.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Thoughts on that one, folks?
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
That last error summed up the 2nd half for Scotland. Cheers for the call John.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME It was close at half-time but Ireland have found a second gear in the second half to notch the nine-point win. Scotland 13 Ireland 22
Highlander
Guest
PO’M man of the match? I wouldn’t have picked that one, had him in the quiet bracket.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’81 Scotland win it back. One last attack. Ireland’s defence meeting them at the gain-line at every opportunity. Now a forward pass from Scotland, and that’s it! Scotland 13 Ireland 22
John Davidson
Roar Guru
’80 Scrum feed for Ireland. This will be the last play of the game. An important win for the men in green. Scotland 13 Ireland 22