Ireland v Scotland: Winners and losers as Scots fall predictably short while reports of Irish demise ‘grossly exaggerated’
Following Ireland’s 43-21 victory over Scotland, here are our winners and losers from an entertaining Six Nations clash.
Winners
Ireland and Andy Farrell
An ageing squad, written off, given little chance, but a team that ends their 2026 Six Nations campaign with the Triple Crown and in a position to still win the Championship, though they will need a favour from France.
Andy Farrell stuck to his guns and was vindicated, and reports of Ireland’s demise were grossly exaggerated. The only thing that can be written off from this Six Nations for Ireland was the start of it, losing to a quite brilliant French team.
Stuart McCloskey
Ireland endured their fair share of highs and lows this season but from the first whistle until the last, Stuart McCloskey was simply sensational. Bundee Aki’s ref-bashing and Robbie Henshaw’s latest injury setback gave him a clear run to the number 12 jersey and after being the pick of the lot in defeat to France, he retained that starting role throughout the tournament and rightly so.
Throughout his career, McCloskey has played well but been dropped or rotated out, never really being given a proper opportunity to stake a claim to become a regular starter until now and boy did he take his chance this Six Nations.
He was simply excellent in every single game, and fronting up against one of the best number 12s in the world today, he did not wilt but continued his rampaging form. Come July, he has to be given the opportunity to extend his run of form. He has a full box of tricks; he can do the old-school, up the guts in your face crash ball 12 job, he has the passing game that takes a ton of pressure off the fly-half, and then he adds in his breakdown work and aggressive defence.
All of that was on full display at the Aviva Stadium as he played in every one of Ireland’s Championship matches for the first time in his career.
Jamie Osborne
No Hugo Keenan, no problem. Jamie Osborne’s first featured at full-back for Ireland in the July series against the Springboks, where he proved that he had the mettle to do a job in the position, a point that he drove home this Six Nations.
The 24-year-old was one of the Ireland players who were consistent throughout the Championship and were duly rewarded with selections because of it. He wasn’t always doing the flashy, sexy bits that dominate YouTube highlight and tribute reels, but he was effective and consistent in the execution of his skill set. His versatility was a huge asset too, as he could easily slot into the centres or on the wing when required. He is making it difficult for Farrell not to include him in any matchday 23 in the future.
Caelan Doris
A mammoth performance from the Ireland skipper, who set the tone on both sides of the ball, physically imposing himself in every facet of the game. He is truly world-class when he is on top form and today, he was and duly picked up the man of the match award.
His class extended to the post-match on-field interview, where he was sporting an infectious smile and was presented with his man of the match award – a gong that he believed that he didn’t deserve, singling out his forward pack warrior Tadhg Beirne as the man who deserved it more.
Robert Baloucoune
Fulfilled Ireland’s need for speed as he grabbed tries against Italy, England and today against Scotland with a breath-taking finish.
His efforts were rewarded with the Six Nations Rising Star award, an anomaly for a 28-year-old, a fact he noted himself in an interview with the broadcasters, but one he truly deserves. Injuries to Mack Hansen and James Lowe opened up the opportunity for him to take the spotlight and he did not disappoint.
Josh van der Flier
At one point, Josh van der Flier may as well have tattooed the number seven onto his back, as Farrell barely looked beyond the tireless back-rower sporting a red scrum-cap. However, that changed somewhat this Six Nations with Nick Timoney forcing his way into the coaching teams’ thinking and rightly so.
But given one more opportunity to stamp the mark on the jersey that he has dominated for so long, the 32-year-old did not let it slip. He charged around the Aviva Stadium green grass like a man possessed, cleaning up any loose ball that he could, landed a mammoth 23 tackles during his shift and was a real menace at the breakdown. Like many of his Leinster and Ireland teammates, he had a bit of a Lions hangover, but that is not evident anymore.
Rory Darge
After his gaffe to give Dan Sheehan a free route over the try-line in the first half, Rory Darge bounced back to produce a fantastic overall performance and cap off an equally impressive Six Nations campaign.
When Scotland have faltered, Darge has not, and that theme continued today as the Glasgow star cantered over for an impressive try.
He was up to his usual tricks at the breakdown too, pilfering over for the ball and being an all-round nuisance. Ireland will be pleased to see the back of him.
Finn Russell
Another who certainly wasn’t to blame for the defeat. Everything flows through Finn Russell on attack and he deserves massive credit for the Scots’ first try that took 18 phases of battering away, being patient before finding the killer blow.
When Scotland needed something to get back into the game and it was the man himself who dummied the pass and delivered the five points that were needed and despite being clearly annoyed that Luke Pearce made the ensuing kick more difficult for him, he calmly dissected the sticks.
Darragh Murray
24-year-old Darragh Murray was a shock inclusion in Farrell’s matchday 23 but ultimately a masterstroke as the Connacht lock enjoyed a dream Test debut.
It started with a cameo replacing a bleeding Beirne and during that stint he burrowed over for a crucial score. He came on sometime later and was hugely impactful in everything he did, finishing with eight tackles, two carries, one lineout won, five points and a Test victory.
Steely Ireland win Triple Crown as Scotland’s Six Nations dreams evaporate in Dublin
Losers
Gregor Townsend
This Six Nations has painted the perfect picture of the entirety of Gregor Townsend’s time as Scotland’s head coach. They promised so much, stumbled, recovered but ultimately fell well short.
It all started with a shambolic defeat to Italy, a game they really should have won. A bounce back against England, a team they have routinely beaten in the Championship under his tutelage, an underwhelming performance against Wales – where they were saved by individual brilliance and some fortunate referee calls – before the performance of the tournament against France.
The last of those gave Scotland hope and as any fan knows, it’s the hope that kills you. Maybe this year will be Scotland’s year, were the dying words as Scottish fans hoped that the men in navy blue would finally, finally end their losing streak to the mighty Irish. But no, the script under Townsend doesn’t allow for that.
The board backs Townsend. The response after losing to Italy suggests that he has the squad’s backing too. The calls for his head have been hashed in recent weeks, but the whispers remain and so does the question: has Townsend taken this team as far as he can? Another third-place finish in the Championship suggests that the answer is yes.
Scotland have been brave and brilliant to watch under Townsend. That is a fact but at the same time, they have little to nothing to show for it besides third and fourth place finishes in the Six Nations and a few Calcutta Cups. 12 straight defeats to Ireland and throw in two pool stage World Cup exits and the picture looks even more grim.
George Turner
Lasted just 17 minutes before he clattered headfirst into Max Williamson’s noggin. That friendly fire ended George Turner’s performance as he wobbled around before being helped off the pitch.
It’s never a nice sight to see a player struggling in such a manner but a tip of the hat to referee Pearce, who stopped the game despite the complaints from the Irish players. Rugby is a collision sport and incidents like this unfortunately do occur, but player safety must be paramount and in this case, it was. We wish Turner a speedy recovery.
Duhan van der Merwe
Nigh-on undroppable just 12 months ago, but fast forward to 2025, and he featured just once in the Six Nations. The powerhouse winger’s form for Edinburgh hasn’t been fantastic, but that hasn’t always mattered for Townsend. However, Kyle Steyn has been unignorable.
The Glasgow skipper has been unreal under the high ball, which has become a paramount skill in a winger’s arsenal, particularly at the highest level. Steyn certainly has the advantage there, but has been equally brilliant in every other facet of the game too.
Jamie Dobie’s selection earlier in the tournament also showed just how far Duhan van der Merwe has fallen out of favour and brutally exposed the areas of his game that he has to get better in to reclaim a starting place.
With Scotland taking on the likes of South Africa, Argentina and Fiji in July, it’s made all the more difficult for Van der Merwe as that trio can absolutely expose the shortcomings in his game.
Scotland
What could have been. Two late tries last week from France meant that the odds were against Scotland winning the title for the first time since Italy joined the Championship but Townsend’s charges still needed to do their part and failed.
It was a cracking game of rugby overall, showing that there is no need to further tinker with the laws, but as has been the case since 2017, the winner remained the same team.
Scotland could have finished 2026 as Six Nations champions and/or as Triple Crown victors. Instead, they leave Dublin empty-handed another common theme. Ireland remains their bogey team and a monkey on their back.
READ MORE: Ireland v Scotland: Six Nations result, stats, line-ups and more
