Soft try: Andrew Trimble scores Ireland's third
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Ireland scored four tries at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday in a convincing 32-14 Six Nations victory over Scotland.
Having lost narrowly (and somewhat controversially) to Wales before being held to a draw in Paris, Ireland will head to Twickenham in confident mood next weekend.
Scotland meanwhile are faced with a Wooden Spoon showdown in Rome.
An entertaining first-half saw four tries being scored as Rory Best, Eoin Reddan and Andrew Trimble touched down for the hosts while Richie Gray showed great power, pace and skill to cross for Scotland to leave the hosts leading 22-14 at the break.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said for a gritty, error-strewn second half as the hosts struggled to come up with the knockout blow.
In fact, the only knockout of the second period involved Scotland wing Lee Jones's lights going out after a vicious (though entirely unintentional) clash of heads with Trimble.
Replacement centre Fergus McFadden did eventually secure a deserved win for Ireland with a try under the sticks in the dying minutes.
A hamstring injury in the warm-up meant that Nick De Luca was replaced by Max Evans in the Scottish midfield, with uncapped Edinburgh back Matt Scott named on the bench.
Fly-half Greig Laidlaw kicked the visitors into an early 6-0 lead as Scotland held onto all the possession in the opening 10 minutes with the expansive style which has been the hallmark of their approach throughout the championship.
Ireland's positive mindset was evident when they opted to kick for the corner rather than take three points on the quarter-hour mark.
After a simple line-out, the ball was sent down the blindside and Best went straight over Mike Blair to score the first try in the corner.
Jonathan Sexton and Laidlaw exchanged penalties before Ireland struck again as Reddan escaped the clutches of opposite number Blair, Sean Lamont and David Denton to wriggle his way clear and score following a ruck five metres out. Sexton converted to put the hosts 15-9 ahead.
Scotland's reply wasn't long in coming though as giant second row Gray broke through attempted tackles from Reddan and Tommy Bowe before selling Rob Kearney a dummy and sprinting 25m for his first Test try. Laidlaw missed the conversion.
Ireland would take the momentum into the dressing rooms however, scoring their third try when Trimble made a mockery of the Scottish defence out wide - and Lee Jones in particular - to dashed over in the corner.
Sexton's conversion was wide but the hosts would have felt confident of victory with an eight-point lead at the break.
Bowe came desperately close to claiming Ireland's fourth try early in the second period but was wrestled onto his back by Graeme Morrison and the TMO ruled that he had made an illegal second movement in grounding the ball.
But overall the second forty minutes failed to live up to the standard set in the opening period. Scotland fought bravely but never realistically looked like having enough to claim victory.
Max Evans was sent to the sin bin for impeding Keith Earls without the ball on 72 minutes and Ireland made the most of their numerical advantage as McFadden burrowed over the line with three minutes left on the clock.
Man of the match: A few candidates here and a mention must go to Rory Best for leading Ireland to victory. Stephen Ferris and Donnacha Ryan were also outstanding for the men in green but we'll break with convention and go with someone from the losing side because Richie Gray was phenomenal. For a lock, his try was simply brilliant. It's a sign of his class that he often seemed like the Scots' most dangerous runner.
Moment of the match: Scotland were right in the game in the first half but Andrew Trimble's try just before half time took the wind out of their sails. While a lot of credit must go to the Ulster wing, Trimble should never have been allowed to score. It was the kind of defensive glitch that has ruined Scotland's campaign and it put Ireland in a position from which they could control the game.
Villain of the match: We'll change this one to "Ballerina of the Match." The dive from Keith Earls after being 'interfered with' on his way to the line by Max Evans would have made Christiano Ronaldo proud.
The scorers:
For Ireland:
Tries: Best, Reddan, Trimble, McFadden
Cons: Sexton 3
Pens: Sexton 2
For Scotland:
Try: Gray
Pens: Laidlaw 3
Yellow card: Evans (Scotland - 73rd min - playing man without the ball)
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Peter O'Mahony, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Shane Jennings, 20 Tomas O'Leary, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Fergus McFadden.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Max Evans, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair, 8 David Denton, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 John Barclay, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross , 2 Ross Ford (c) 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Euan Murray, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Ruaridh Jackson, 22 Matthew Scott
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Romain Poite, Greg Garner (England)
Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy)
Comments
damo says...
@ ronanmeagher says...
10 mins of pressure in the French 22 how did it end?
darcy threw a ball 5 yards forward with no one on him, he played only 57 minutes vs Scotland why? He was rubbish, and your comment BOD only has so long left is funny considering Darcy is 31 and has been playing progressively worse every game ROG playing at 10 and $exy at 12 would have had a shot at the RWC but Kidney is a useless manager and has failed to identify your kicker needs to convert points and your 12 needs to tackle and fix the opposition defence Darcy must be the ideal opponent for any 12 knowing he can't pass and he can't make a break
Posted 22:12 13th March 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
I haven't checked, but a lot of people have suggested that the rules do not require the tackler to release in the in goal area and, given the fact that a try can be held up, it would make sense that the try wasn't scored.
Was watching the pre-match coverage of Scotland's tournament stats says everything that is wrong with Andy Robinson's coaching at this level. England had the same problem under him, specifically they could retain possession very well, they just couldn't do anything with it other than wait for penalties. Not good enough any mor.
Posted 14:53 13th March 2012
ronanmeagher says...
@damo - thanks for the history lesson, but I didn't need it. I know well how poor D'arcy has been over the past few seasons.
However, like most people commenting on a match report, their comments refer to the match being reported not games played 6 - 18 months ago.
I'm sure you can post your stats to the comments of the matches you mention by searching the article history.
D'arcy wasn't bad against Scotland and hasn't played poorly in any of the matches to date, with the exception of Wales - where the whole defensive effort was rubbish.
I'm not advocating that D'arcy should stay on, I would rather he was dropped for a better played, namely McFadden but Kidney was never going to pair McFadden with Earls for this 6 Nations, and it could be the Summer or more likely next Autumn before we see D'arcy being moved aside.
I don't dislike the idea of ROG at 10 and Sexton at 12, but realistically Sexton is the long-term choice at 10. ROG will be hanging up his boots within 15 months, so its probably best to find a long-term 12 as well. Sexton certainly needs to brush up on tactical kicking, and he may never be as good as ROG was at this but his goal-kicking is much improved this year
Posted 14:11 13th March 2012
Kevin83 says...
Damo I agree with you on Darcy but the stats you have provided are not a fair representation on a player who is simply out of form.
For one thing 67 CAPS over 13 Years is down to the fact that he has been one of the unluckiest player with injury during his career.
Then you mention his try scoring record, Ok not the best but you're not going to find many inside centres who have top try scoring records (yes I am aware there may be exceptions).
Where Gorodn's value has come over the years is getting his team the hard yards needed to get to the line. If you would look up stats for yards gained in the carry you may find Gordon is not far off in that regard.
So to with assists, do you think Brian O'Driscoll has scored nearly 50 tries by sheer dumb luck. he has had a partner inside him willing to play for his team and put people into positions to prosper. I effect doing his job as an inside centre.
Nor do you mention the endless breakdown work Darcy has done over the years alongside his back row and BOD. How many turnovers has Gordon influenced over the years.
Gordon Darcy was/is not going to set the world alight as a try scoring machine but was/is the quintisential team player.
It is heartbreaking to see people turn on a player, regardless of how poor he's playing, and forget the stellar contribution he's made to Irish and Leinster rugby.
I really hope he regathers form in the near future but unfortunately I don't think Darc is going to do that as I don't think he is far off retiring and I for one will be sad to see him go.
Posted 11:49 13th March 2012
leinster_goy says...
@norm
a shame we've had to resume hostilities once again, but it should be pointed out that it was you who broke the agreed ceasefire following constant provocations AGANST MAY COMMUNITAH
i have to say norm it doesn't surprise me to see you siding with liam2me, your fellow brother in arms. you've so much in common: trapped in a besieged enclave on the aylind of airlind, with the jackboot of perfidious albion/west brit dubliners firmly on your throat...ever thought of bringing your disparate dissident groups under one unified paramilitary command? if you do it now it'll be just in time for the next skirmish on saturday at 5pm
@JamietheProp
i'd check under my car the next few mornings if i were you
Posted 10:14 13th March 2012
damo says...
@ ronanmeagher says...
You for real I read your comments a number of times "Darcy hasn't played badly" have you watched any of the games the past 2 years?????????????
Here is what darcy has done the past 2 years!
1. Lost last years 6 nations by missing the tackle vs Rougerie home to France
2. Knocked on the ball 6 times vs Italy 2011 and 1 forward pass (7 touches in 77 mins)
3. Intercept pass vs USA in RWC
4. Missed tackle vs Phillips cost us the RWC 1/4 final
Kidney should go as he has consistently picked out of form players , Luke fitz was rubbish 2011 and played out of position too often, he hit form later in 2011 before the RWC and he dropped him??????????
O'Callaghan is past it and holds the team back from hitting top form, most of all darcy has the worst try scoring record for a 12 in the history of the game 7 trys in 70+ games, Earls has 12 in 30 games for Ireland, Fofana has 4 in 4 games!!!
$exton at 12 ROG at 10 could have won the RWC for the time that those 2 have been on the field Ireland have always done well 9-0 vs Oz, France in the final warm up game before RWC they alost made a 18 point deficit when Darcy was taken off
Posted 22:26 12th March 2012
leinster_goy says...
@curatesegg
you're flogging a dead horse (hairse?) there, buddy. i think liam2me and his mates down in the people's republic are still a bit sore about king dermot macmurrough of leinster inviting the normans to invade ireland in 1169. in his eyes we dubliners will always be mendacious west brits, you see
as for all the anti-heaslip bile, maybe its the fact that jamie was born in israel - you know the sympathies they harbour down in cork
Posted 17:14 12th March 2012
curates_egg says...
@liam2me do you even watch the games? Your posts here bear so little relevance to reality, its seems you just recycle the same tired old arguments, even when they have been refuted and the actual rugby completely disproves them.
Sexton's kicking average has been fine this 6 Nations - no different to O'Gara's. He only missed one easy kick. When he has played with Reddan - and got decent service - it is the only time Ireland have actually offered anything going forward (and that holds true of the past 2 1/2 years). The whole ROG 'debate' is a straw man that is only relevant for Corkmen.
We do of course need to be developping a new 12 but that is a different debate and the answer is not going to be Sexton.
As for your Heaslip trolling, you really reveal your complete ignorance of the game. Heaslip has been in decent form for Ireland and was again on Saturday, supplementing his huge defensive and break-down work with some decent carries.
With Ferris on a different planet, the real question is how to complete the back row? O'Mahony had a relatively good first start but both he and O'Brien are 6s. If Kidney wants to persist with picking two 6s, then the game plan needs to be changed, so they are used as more explosive, second phase ball carriers from deep. An alternative might be to move Heaslip to 7 and encourage to be more of a link man, while continuing his break-down groundhogging.
Posted 15:42 12th March 2012
Kevin83 says...
"We'll change this one to "Ballerina of the Match." The dive from Keith Earls after being 'interfered with' on his way to the line by Max Evans would have made Christiano Ronaldo proud."
Planet Rugby, I urge you to name the "Journalist" responsible for this ridiculous, outrageous and hanus comment of a player such as Keith Earls.
How dare he suggest that Keith, who was:
A) Brief pulled back by the left hand of Evans
B) Cut off by a player perfectly conscious that he was running directly across Keiths Line.
C) Tripped by the tangle of legs caused by said Evans running across his line.
The People should be condemning sir are Max Evans and Ross Ford for claiming innocense over blatant guilt.
Another point; Ritchie Gray was superb on saturday this is true but MOTM?
Over Donnacha Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy, Steven Ferris?
PR shame on you for publishing this Drivel.
Posted 13:27 12th March 2012
JamieTheProp says...
Saw nothing here to worry England next Saturday! It is going to be a very, very depressing St. Patricks Day for those in green!
Which can only ever be a good thing!
Posted 12:44 12th March 2012
Dingbat32 says...
Both teams were pretty poor, but I get the sense that Scotland can improve from this point, whereas Ireland seem a bit stale.
Keith Earls appeared to spot covering player, and then made the most of minimal contact to dive. I cant find slow mo video to look at this again, but if he did dive then he should be given a long ban to send out a message. Lee Byrne did it against Scotland a few years ago, and I applaud PR for making a robust statement on this issue.
If you add in the behaviour of England in NZ, ref abuse at WC, QC abuse, some recentish drug scandals in UK, and Samoa's answer to Joey Barton's Twitter-ing, then the game is looking ever more similar to the round ball game. This has to stop!
Posted 12:39 12th March 2012
tritonmike says...
"Ballerina of the Match." The dive from Keith Earls after being 'interfered with' on his way to the line by Max Evans would have made Christiano Ronaldo proud.
I am glad that you reported this-it is a fair and reasonable assessment. Perhaps Klinsmann was the man who would have radiated in such showmanship?
Posted 08:41 12th March 2012
blametheref says...
@JeanLucJoinel
Think you should reflect on France's quality of rugby during this 6 Nation's rather than Ireland's....At least we are scoring tries....Also your "generalization" that Ireland are a cynical team has no basis in fact and smacks of begrudgery
Posted 18:49 11th March 2012
curates_egg says...
@ronanmeagher I would agree with everything you say except - in case you hadn't noticed - Ireland did have only average success last decade. We won one tournament, just like in the 1970s, but far away from the 1980s. Given the players we had, we definitely had average success at best.
Posted 18:05 11th March 2012
Welshy says...
Wow! Lot's of rankle over the Earl's incident etc. Why all the hot air over a match that has little or no bearing on the chamionship between 2 sides in decline?
Posted 17:15 11th March 2012
liam2me says...
@ ronanmeagher,
How can you say Sexton is a better OH then ROG when his kicking percentage is so bad, worse when you exclude 'lesser teams' and his kicking from hand is so poor (straight out on the full last week, right into the hands of the oppo 15 in their 22 both of the last 2 games) and his game management is average? He's not a young lad learning his trade.
When ROG was pushing Humphreys it was always a case of which was better but in this battle its a case of the old hand v the young lad with question marks over key parts of his game.
Where Sexton is excellent is in his defence which is why some of us have been advocating putting him at 12 instead of the hapless D'Arcy. With either Madigan or Keatley on the bench.
As for the back row Heaslip was his anonymous self again yesterday, he needs dropping when SOB is back with a back row of Ferris, POM and SOB.
BTW, how was Ryan the MOM yesterday? he was good but Healy was awesome and deserved it a lot more
Posted 16:02 11th March 2012
atg77 says...
probably one of the worst Scottish performances in recent memory. Inability to complete simple passes doesnt help as did simple things like holding onto the ball in contact. Evans is definately not a centre and Lee Jones defence is really starting to cost Scotland. It still comes down to the same old depressing problem... Scotlands inability to threaten the try line. Yes there was one from Gray but apart from that there was not much to suggest our attack is improving. Perhaps shifting Hogg to midfeild alongside Matt Scott would help things...
Posted 13:38 11th March 2012
shoedogg says...
@curates_egg
Exactly: he may immediately reach out and ground the ball on or over the goal line. Wasn't allowed to because Morisson was all over him. If he had been allowed then he would have definitely scored, hence penalty try as he was illegally impeded.
Posted 12:56 11th March 2012
marzie says...
@JeanLucJoinel - "Ireland... depend entirely on slowing down the opponents ball- they don't do anything else well".
A cursory glance at the table and our 13 try haul, 112 points scored and points difference of +48 - all superior to any other team's by decent margins - would seem to suggest we at least do something right, even if in dribs and drabs.
All this whilst negotiating a congested fixture made so by - at a guess - your countrymen's astonishing yet predictably lax grasp of organisation on a frozen night in Paris.
Posted 12:49 11th March 2012
ronanmeagher says...
Some Leinster supports need to start concentrating on the team and performance, rather than the supposed Munster bias, specifically @sextons_on_fire - your comments are worn out and lame.
Ireland would have had average success over the past decade if O'Gara hadn't been around, he was a great out-half, but never had the full package. Sexton is now without doubt the better out-half, but O'Gara can offer plenty of experience and guidance towards the end of matches - O'Gara learnt alot from his tussle with Humphreys 10 years ago, and I think Sexton is benefiting from O'Gara now, last year it was a bit much for him.
@sextons_on_fire - can I get your opinion on Earls? I think he's had a great 6 nations so far, his suspect defence seems to have fixed itself.
Regarding O'Leary, he wasn't a bad scrum-half 3 years ago, but he shouldn't be anywhere near the squad now, he's devoid of confidence. Paul Marshal needs to be called up for the summer tour, along with Reddan and Murray. Kidney wont change anything for next week.
I think Ryan has proved he should be a starter, and should have been 1st choice since the start of the 6 nations. O' Mahony has proved that he deserves his bench spot.
D'arcy hasn't played too bad, apart from the Wales match, and he had plenty of company there. I would have liked Kidney to try McFadden at 12 during one of the matches instead of moving Sexton out everytime.
Posted 09:55 11th March 2012