Sunday, February 24, 2013

Ireland at Murrayfield

**
 Sean Lamont of Scotland and Luke Fitzgerald of Ireland collide in mid air trying to claim a high ball during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
****
Planet Rugby Match Report:
Scotland kept their Six Nations title hopes alive thanks to a hard fought 12-8 victory over Ireland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
It's the first time since 2001 that the Scots have won back-to-back Six Nations matches.
After trailing 8-0 early in the second half, the hosts put 12 unanswered points past their Celtic rivals thanks to the boot of scrum-half Greig Laidlaw that helped his team to an unlikely win and that effectively ends Ireland's Six Nations challenge.
*
 Wing Craig Gilroy of Ireland barges over to score the opening try during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(February 23, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)
**
Man of the match: Scotland lock Jim Hamilton won the official gong, and his hard work at the set-piece was a real standout for the hosts. But we've opted for hero of the day Greig Laidlaw, who's four perfect kicks at goal handed Scotland victory.
Moment of the match: There weren't many. But those last few minutes that so nearly ended in heartbreak for the hosts was a real nail-biter.
Villain of the match: Ryan Grant's sin-binning didn't prove as costly as Paddy Jackson's three missed kicks at goal which ultimately cost his side dearly.
 ***
Craig Gilroy of Ireland is tackled by Tim Visser and Johnnie Beattie of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
**

 Craig Gilroy of Ireland is tackled by Tim Visser and Johnnie Beattie of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
****
RBS 6 Nations Match Report:
Greig Laidlaw kicked all the points as Scotland staged a fine comeback to sink Ireland 12-8 and chalk up back-to-back RBS 6 Nations victories for the first time since 2001.
Trailing 8-0 just after the break and having been outclassed in the first 50 minutes, Scotland romped back and Laidlaw's clinical kicking edged out Ireland, who slipped to a second straight Championship loss.
In complete contrast to Laidlaw, Ireland fly-half Paddy Jackson enjoyed a difficult debut, missing three kicks at goal before he was replaced.
For Scotland, having defeated Italy in the previous match, their hopes of clinching the RBS 6 Nations title remain very much alive after a first Championship victory over Ireland at Murrayfield in 12 years.
Despite Jackson's inaccuracy from the tee, Ireland were very much in the ascendancy in the first half but for all their knocking on the Scotland door, they could only take a three-point lead in with them at the interval.
***
 Sean O'Brien of Ireland breaks through the tackle from Jim Hamilton of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
**
Sean O'Brien of Ireland breaks through the tackle from Jim Hamilton of Scotland during the RBS Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on February 24, 2013 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
(February 23, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
****
next test:
Scotland v Wales
Murrayfield - Edinburgh
9th March
*
Ireland v France
Aviva Stadium - Dublin
9th March
****

SIX NATIONS 2013

PlWDLPFPA+/-Pts
1England33007337366
2Wales32016445194
3Scotland3201645684
4Ireland31024446-22
5Italy31024278-362
6France30033762-250