Rugby World Cup: Ireland top Pool B with 36-14 victory over Scotland

PA Sport Staff

Ireland have ended Scotland’s World Cup campaign with a 36-14 victory in their Pool B match in Paris.

Ireland made a good start as they led 5-0 midway through the first half.

Andy Farrell’s side took just over a minute to seize command when James Lowe bounded over for an easy score on the left after excellent play by Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen to create the opening. Johnny Sexton missed the conversion attempt.

Scotland responded positively to this early setback and enjoyed sustained pressure in front of the Irish line but they were unable to capitalise. Their task was heightened further by the loss of both full-back Blair Kinghorn and captain Jamie Ritchie to injury in the first 20 minutes.

Ireland were firmly on course to securing their quarter-final place as they scored four first-half tries to lead Scotland 26-0 at the break in Paris.

Following Lowe’s early score, Hugo Keenan extended their lead in the 27th minute when he finished off a lovely move on the left. Johnny Sexton converted.

Iain Henderson added the third when he forced over from close range, with Sexton again on target.

And the Irish had the forlorn Scots staring elimination in the face when Keenan dived over for his second try of the evening moments before the interval.

Two minutes into the second half, Scotland were reduced to 14 men when substitute Ollie Smith was yellow-carded for petulantly tripping Johnny Sexton off the ball, an act that sparked a mass brawl.

The Irish took full advantage of the extra man as they got their fifth try of the night just minutes later when Dan Sheehan bounded over on the left.

Sexton missed his conversion attempt and was immediately substituted afterwards to rapturous applause from a huge Irish support in full celebratory mode.

Sexton’s replacement Jack Crowley then laid the sixth try on a plate for Garry Ringrose with a lovely kick out to the left. Crowley hit the post with his conversion attempt but it mattered little as Ireland led 36-0 on the hour mark.

Scotland finally got themselves off the mark in the 64th minute when hooker Ewan Ashman scored shortly after coming off the bench as he darted clear on the right to finish off a move sparked by Finn Russell, who subsequently converted.

And just a minute later, the Scots reduced the deficit further when Ali Price raced over the line, with Russell again converting.

The Irish calmed their opponents’ mini-resurgence, however, to secure a 36-14 win and set up a quarter-final showdown with New Zealand. The result ended the Scots’ involvement in the tournament.