Scotland drew first blood in the 8th minute with Finn Russel slotting over a penalty. Shortly after though a big line-out mistake by Scotland gave Ireland the first try, with hooker Dan Sheehan going over the line and Jack Crawley converting for 7 – 3 lead. Five minutes later, Finn Russel succeeded with another penalty to make it 7 – 6 going into half-time.

Jack Crawley was successful with another penalty at the beginning of the second half.  In the 65th minute, Scotland did themselves no favours when substitute Ewan Ashman got sent off with a yellow card.

Ireland made full use of only 14 men on the field and prop Andrew Porter scored for Ireland.  Jack Crawley made no mistakes with the conversion, taking the score to 17 – 6.  A last desperate try from Scotland’s Huw Jones was too little late, too late for Scotland. 

Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park was Man of the Match.  He later told Virgin Media:  "It was a good game, with two good teams going at it. They had a Triple Crown on the line, and we were going for a Championship, so it was tough going and two good teams were going at it.”

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger