No. | Name | |
---|---|---|
15Simon Zebo, - | ||
14Andrew Trimble, - | ||
13Jared Payne, - | ||
12Robbie Henshaw, - | ||
11Keith Earls, - | ||
10Johnny Sexton, - 3 3 | ||
9Conor Murray, - | ||
1Jack McGrath, - | ||
2Rory Best, - | ||
3Mike Ross, - | ||
4Donnacha Ryan, - | ||
5Devin Toner, - | ||
6CJ Stander, - | ||
7Tommy O'Donnell, - | ||
8Jamie Heaslip, - | ||
Replacements | ||
16Richardt Strauss, - | ||
17Cian Healy, - | ||
18Nathan White, - | ||
19Ultan Dillane, - | ||
20Rhys Ruddock, - | ||
21Eoin Reddan, - | ||
22Ian Madigan, - | ||
23Fergus McFadden, - |
*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold
Match Commentary
ESPN's Rob Bartlett has this to say from Dublin:
Scotland came to Dublin as the least penalised side in the tournament: how ironic that two timely yellow cards sparked their downfall at the Aviva Stadium. Conor Murray and Richie Gray both traded second-half tries before Scotland became unhinged. With his side piling on the pressure, Alex Dunbar's moment of madness turned the second half on its head -- quite literally. The centre flipped Johnny Sexton over at the ruck and was rightfully sin-binned -- he could have seen red -- and Ireland took full advantage in that time before losing their fly-half for the final 10 minutes. It was a heated battle which, between beautiful passages of free-flowing rugby, boiled over numerous times. Just the amount of fire needed for Ireland before a tough tour to South Africa.
Fight! There's some aggro after the try is scored which threatens to spill over into a proper punch-up. It's all getting a bit nasty in Dublin.
Tommy O'Donnell initially looks like the man best-placed to score as he carries the ball towards the Scottish tryline at the back of the maul. Some huge defence from Scotland first halts O'Donnell and then backrow partners CJ Stander and Jamie Heaslip, before Murray spots an opening from the base of the ruck to nip over and extend Ireland's lead.
ESPN's Rob Bartlett has this to say from the Aviva Stadium press box:
After last weekend's disposal of Italy, this was always going to be the tougher test for Ireland. Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton have pulled the strings once more, delighting the Dublin crowd with a string of inside passes and superb kicking. It's been a real virtuoso performance from the half-backs. Stuart Hogg's try is up there with the best of the championship, but a yellow card for John Barclay -- on his 50th cap -- has proved most costly. In that time, CJ Stander bundled over before a calamitous mix-up in the Scottish defence allowed Keith Earls the easiest of chances and mark his own 50th cap with a score. Scotland were the least penalised side before kick-off today: their lack of discipline has been their downfall so far.
Try! Johnny Sexton sends a chip into the Scottish 22 and there's confusion in the ranks as the dark blue shirts of Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour go crashing into each other rather than gather the ball. Keith Earls, on his 50th Ireland appearance, collects the loose ball and saunters over for a chancer's try.
Try! The answer from the TMO is one to warm home fans' hearts. In truth, the video evidence is inconclusive at best, so Gauzere goes with his gut and awards the try.
...which, would you believe, he misses! That just moments after bettering David Humphreys' tally for Ireland.
This time last year Ireland were flying and Scotland down in the dumps, but 12 months on things are a little different. Joe Schmidt's men are in something of a transition phase and play today merely to save face after defeats by France and England. Scotland, however, are hunting a rare third win in the tournament, having put Italy and France to the sword in their last two outings. Victory in Dublin for Vern Cotter's side would be some achievement, but the squad certainly has the talent to pull it off.
ESPN's Rob Bartlett is our man at the Aviva Stadium and he'll be providing nuggets of insight throughout the afternoon. Give him a follow here and keep it with ESPN for the latest updates and commentary from Dublin.