Ireland v Scotland Six Nations Rugby

UK He has played more Six Nations minutes than anybody else, scored

more tries, captioned his country on more occasions, and today Brian

O'Driscoll begins his final campaign.

Scott Hastings with the chip through. A try for Scott Hastings!

D'Arcy takes the tourist route to Geordan Murphy. And D'Arcy Scoresby

Triple Crown winning try. It is a try for Scotland.

Up to the ten yard mark, Gibson, Duggan kicking infield. A try by

Gibson! A chance for Townsend. Townsend has

scored. A lovely pass that time. He has

broken through, and guess who, O'Driscoll. He has written his name

over the game. Two home victories on the opening

day of the championship so this Irish team will be hoping to make it

a hat-trick on not just for O'Driscoll but to kick-start their

coach's Six Nations rear in style. Johnson was asked about Scotland's

Six Nations record he replied that he treated statistics like a drunk

treats a lamp post, therefore support but not for illumination.

Blue skies, white clouds and if it is possible to have a balmy day on

the first weekend of February this is it. If you can't play rugby on a

day like this, you can't play rugby. Jonathan Davies, Keith Wood, Andy

Nicol looking forward to this first weekend of the Six Nations

championship. Raking in the last half-hour, Paul O'Connell, the Irish

captain, out with a chest infection. -- breaking in.

He was calling the line-outs through the week, he is a key

decision-makers and he adds confidence to the group so we have

two -- we have to roll our sleeves up and enjoy the game. I was

probably looking forward to this more last night before I heard that

but it is all part of the challenge and we have to put together the best

funds we can. How big a blow is this for Ireland?

Huge. You can replace him as a player but it is -- it is his

presence and intensity. Let's look at the highlights of two tremendous

games kick-starting this year's championship.

second try. He can chase it down himself! It is

going to be a try. Interception, and it is going to be

a run for the line. Under the posts, it will be seven points.

First touch, Yoann Huget for France. France have turned over England.

Yoann Huget again. Brown smashes into him. Follow! A second try for

Yoann Huget and for France. The penalty was taken quickly. He

tries to get the pass away quickly. Brown! It is Mike Brown's first try

for England. Luther Burrell cams away. England

are level. -- comes away. Gael Fickou! The finish by Fickou.

He is going round under the posts. Two tremendous games to start this

year's championship. We kick off at 3pm at the Aviva

Stadium. Italy really rattled Wales

yesterday. Yes, they did well. Wales tried to keep the ball in play and

have the better fitness level but I thought they were very tired, a

scrappy performance. They did not build pressure and I think they went

wide to early. But they got the result and that is the important

thing, start off with a win. A lot to work on before they come here

next Saturday. In Paris the general consensus was that England were the

better team but they lost. It was an amazing performance because France

came out of the blocks really flying and they got away from England.

England did really well to come back into it. I think they were the

better team but they never closed the game out. What a fantastic final

try. An amazing atmosphere in the Stade de France. You watched both

games on your couch, what did you think? I thought the intensity of

both games was phenomenal. I think it was the best opening yet. We did

not have time to go into the ramifications of yesterday and

analyse the key moments so we will do that in a forum tonight on the

red button. If you want to get involved in that, the hashtag is

below, or Facebook, however you want. Your opinions about England,

Wales, or the championship generally. First talking point has

to be the last time we were here, the last time Ireland played the all

Blacks, almost the first time that they beat them.

Murray! He is down. Wonderful start for Ireland.

He knocks it on and away comes Rob Kearney.

Slides past the post. New Zealand have one one of the most pulsating

games in rugby union. Ever, was perhaps the word he could

have added. When you look through the Irish front row you need all

carrying and accuracy for all three. carrying and accuracy for all

There is a massive hole in this second row. Dan Tuohy, there is a

lot of pressure on him. Chris Henry, you know he will be a nuisance. The

two generals, Connie Murray is growing into his role, and Jonathan

Sexton, after a hard start to the year in France is back to his best.

The three at the back, are they nimble enough?

Jonny Sexton only has 38 appearances to his name and be number ten jersey

is firmly his. He has broken the mould by going to play in France but

Keith took him back. You are back where it started,

pretty much. Great memories, I have not been back in a while because I

have been in Paris. I am recalling all of the fond memories. How much

did you enjoy it? Fantastic. It was the best trip I have ever been on,

if we had lost that 1... You build up relationships. You learn so much

from the other players? Yes, Leigh Halfpenny, you learn from it. Then

you pack your bags and off you were gone. Was it a big shock to the

system? It is pretty easy to settle into the club because everybody is

doing their best to make you feel at home, you have guys you know, but

you don't know where the petrol shop is, the local corner shop,

everything is a stress. There was some games where I was thinking, I

am telling them I am going home. In other games I came off and I

thought, this is brilliant. I am going to be here forever. We have

seen the well publicised signing of two Irish players back to the

Republic of Ireland. Did they come to you for advice? One of them did.

I think it is great. It is important for Irish rugby, for the provinces

and also the national team that they stay. I sound like a hypocrite but

that is the bottom line. New Zealand, and the kick that did

not go over. How do you deal with that? I don't know why I missed. I

was having trouble with my hamstring but that is just an excuse. It

should have gone over. It is important that we learn the

lessons, as hard as it is to take. I should use it going forward into the

Six Nations. How is Joe getting on, not being in contact with players on

a day-to-day basis? He has even more energy. It is rare that you get a

coach who is good technically and a good map -- man manager but that is

what makes him special. But his big strength is on the pitch, putting

guys through the moves. In November we wanted to be known as more

consistent and that is the bottom line, we need to improve that going

forward. Some impressive honesty in that

interview. What do you think the move to France has done to him,

Keith? Opened up his experience level. It gives him a wider

perspective. Those statistics tell a big story. He has played a huge

number of games. He was injured for a lot of last year. He feels he

needs to play a lot more games than he was last year. It just seems to

me elements of the media think about it more than he does. Has it

impacted on his interaction with the rest of the team? I wouldn't think

so. Having played away for most of my career, it's just great to get

back. That was three minutes of a 90 minute interview. He was honest for

that whole period. He seems to have matured an awful lot.

Let's go back in time to 1984 which, depending on who you are, could mean

all sorts of things - George Orwell or the miners strike. Or it could

mean a Scottish grand slam. The referee hasn't given penalty

try. Yes, he has. He's done it again. Two tries for

Roy Laidlaw. A brilliant try! There's an overlap. Another

brilliant Scottish try! They've done it again. 46 years of waiting are

over. The first Scottish Triple Crown since 1938.

A momentous occasion replicated six years later and only three of this

team were alive when all that happened. A familiar look to the

Scottish row. Tim Swinson gets the nod against Richard Gray, who is

alongside Jim Hamilton. Dave Denton is the number eight with Ryan

Wilson. Kelly Brown, the captain, is only going to be considered at open

side by Scott Johnson. Greig Laidlaw is Roy Laidlaw's nephew. Matt Scott

is on the bench, not back from injury yet, so Duncan Taylor

continues at 12, alongside Alex Dunbar, an exciting prospect. The

back three could repeat the rugby we saw from 1984.

Scott, a beautiful day in Dublin. Does that is suit Scotland? It suits

both sides. It encourages intent and I'm sure we will both have intent.

Hold onto your seat belt! What kind of intensity are you expecting from

Ireland? It's hard to handle. We just have to make sure we are good

and the tackle and the tackle area are the two biggest areas that

contribute to the success of this game. Scotland have traditionally

struggled in their opening fixture of the Six Nations and struggled

away from home - why and what can you do to change that? It's been

drummed into me all week! If I knew the reasons, I'd fix it. We can only

control what we can control. No excuses out there. The weather, the

pitch - everything is fine. We have to put on a good performance. If we

are in this contest, it favours us. We have to make sure we are in the

contest. Let's talk about Tim Swinson in the second row for

Scotland, a big man. And interesting way of warming up for a game!

Hopefully he finds his way to the pitch in a wee while! He is there on

merit. Scotland have a loss of strength of the second row. He

played in the autumn test against Japan in the first game and has

played really well for Glasgow. He brings a real workrate to the pack

and is running the forwards. He has a big day. Is that the Scottish

bench? At 19.5 stones, he is not to be messed with! Let's talk about

Duncan Weir - how important is the? Scotland have an exciting back five

with Alex Dunbar and the back three I mentioned. There's no doubt he's

been picked to get Scotland playing the right areas of pitch. He's

tactically very good picker so he's going to get Scotland playing the

Irish half. I think the Scotland force have always been dominating.

The back three have got a very good line-up but when they have the

opportunities, they don't always use them. They have to be equivocal and

keep their composure. As we've said for the last decade, if Scotland

start scoring tries they can beat anyone. They have to start scoring

tries in the back three. If today is about how Scotland compete, because

they are the underdogs, is there a danger that because of the

extraordinary match against the all Blacks there is an unnecessary and

exaggerated expectation from the crowd about how Ireland will

perform? That is the big fear and every element about it for Ireland.

The players don't think that way and the pundits don't think that way.

Anybody who has been close to international Rob the don't do it.

You can't overrate your own performance. It can't happen. If

they play well, they can beat most sides. If they don't play well,

chances are they're going to lose. Only South Africa and New Zealand

can play 50% of the time and win games. Some serious firecrackers to

welcome island onto the field for the opening match of this year's Six

Nations. The players are out a lot earlier than almost every other

match because there are all the formalities to take place. We have

three anthems to come up. As Brian O'Driscoll lines up for his 129th

cap for Ireland, when you first saw him as a callow youth, did you think

there was something special? The first time I met him I thought he

was totally out of place and had no business being there. Then I saw him

in a rugby jersey on the training field and he blew everybody away. He

had something about him - a touch of magic, and ability. I think he's

been a brilliant player. You look at his physique when he started off and

he had pace, guile and balance. He's adapted as the modern game has

changed and been a standard player since he started. There is an

announcement taking place for the presidential salute. At Fitzgerald

alongside Michael Higgins. -- Pat Fitzgerald.

I was reading earlier on about Michael Higgins who is a sports fan

and a regular at the Galway races and former president of Galway

United but all club. He is meeting the players now. -- football club.

We can talk to our commentators up in the box. Phil, I overheard a

conversation you were having earlier about the repercussions and the

aftermath of the All Blacks game. Where do you put this Irish team at

the moment? By the end of the day, I'll give you a better answer. It's

a testament to the All Blacks that it takes the All Blacks to bring a

performance like that. I'm not sure any other team in world rugby could

have produced a performance out of Ireland and I think today we'll see

whether Joe Schmidt's detail as we be embedded itself in this Irish

side because the accuracy that is going to be required, and the

intensity without Paul O'Connell, is going to be a big ask. Chris, we see

the Irish President meeting the Scottish players. As a former

fullback yourself, how important is Stuart Hogg and a returning Stuart

Hogg and a Stuart Hogg inform? Very important. He's alongside a big

backline for Scotland. Alex Dunbar and Duncan Taylor are both big

players but you need that bit of magic to beat the national defences

and Stuart Hogg has that. If he's on fire today, he can launch a lot for

Scotland and hopefully score some points. Sometimes we overplay the

importance of coaches but how strange must it have been for

Scotland, knowing Scott Johnson is therefore a finite period and they

are almost waiting for a Messiah, Vern Cotter, to come in? There has

been communication between Scott Johnson and Vern Cotter. He's been

appointed since last May so there has been communication and will be

through the Six Nations but ultimately, it's about today, about

Scott Johnson getting his players ready for this massive match this

afternoon and they have to deliver. As he said in the BT, there's no

excuses. It's a beautiful day. I'm so jealous looking out on a glorious

sunny day in Dublin! We saw Gordon D'Arcy in action at the start of the

programme. He's been left out of date - what do you make of that? He

did incredibly well last year. He had a series of concussions which

were frightening to watch but has been back and forth. But he had the

spark. His movement from foot to foot is far more oppressive. --

impressive. It gives a bit more space to Brian O'Driscoll. We

haven't mentioned Sean O'Brien. O'Brien O'Connell missing for

Ireland. The players lining up for the anthems and after this, we'll

have the final match of its opening weekend of the Six Nations

championship in the company of Philip Matthews, Chris Paterson and

Andrew Cotter. # O Flower Of Scotland.

# When will we see your like again. # That fought and died for.

# Your wee bit hill and glen. # And stood against him.

# Proud Edward's army. # And sent him homeward.

# Tae think again. # The hills are bare now.

# And autumn leaves lie thick and still.

# O'er land that is lost now. # Which those so dearly held.

# And stood against him. # Proud Edward's army.

# And sent him homeward. # Tae think again.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE # Sinne Fianna Fail.

# A ta faoi gheall ag Eirinn. # Buion dar slua.

# Thar toinn do rainig chughainn. # Faoi mhoid bheith soar.

# Sean tir ar sinsear feasta. # Ni fhagfar faoin tioran na faoin

traill. # Anocht a theam sa bhearna baoil.

# Le gean ar Ghaeil chun bais no saoil.

# Le gunna screach, faoi lamhach na bpilear.

# Seo libh canaig amhran na bhFiann #.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE # Come the day and come the hour.

# Come the power and the glory. # We have come to answer.

# Our Country's call. # From the four proud provinces of

Ireland?. # Ireland, Ireland.

# Together standing tall. # Shoulder to shoulder.

# We'll answer Ireland's call?. # Ireland, Ireland.

# Together standing tall. # Shoulder to shoulder.

# We'll answer Ireland's call. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

You it has been a long time to fester after the opening start

against the All Blacks. -- it has been. Joe Schmidt once that

performance repeated in every game. Paul O'Connell is out with a chest

infection. The loss of Sean O'Brien will be felt as well. O'Driscoll is

partnered by Marshall in the middle. Dave Kearney is filling in at left

wing. Tim Swinson gets a first taste alongside Hamilton. Duncan Weir is

given the fly-half role. Alex Dunbar will also be experiencing this

competition for the first time. Strong replacements for Scotland on

the bench. The referee having a secret word with Duncan Weir. Craig

Joubert, a South African. Fluffy clouds above, blue sky. A full

stadium and we are just about ready for the final game of the first

weekend of the 2014 RBS Six Nations. Who will claim the third victory?

Following Wales against Italy and that late victory for France against

England. The whistle-blowers and we begin at Lansdowne Road. -- the

whistle blows. A bit of early continuity for

Scotland. Scotland poking around side to side

at the moment, not making too much ground. They are being smothered

between the ten metre line and halfway, Scotland.

Scotland finding a bit of space now, confident carrying early on. They

are beginning to make a bit of progress. Seeing the advantage of

the good conditions here, handling early on.

Up to the 22 comes Scotland. A roar from their supporters. Good early

play from the visitors. And still they come. A penalty to Ireland.

Very, very promising from Scotland but good offence from Ireland.

Patients from both teams. -- patience. Scotland showed a lot of

composure on the ball, did not panic when nothing was really coming

through. John Sexton not going to the line-up from the kick-off. --

the line-out. Henry getting the plaudits from his team-mates. We

talked about Sean O'Brien being that big loss.

Ireland's chance to try to string a phase or two together.

Penalty this time to Scotland and this time it was the Scottish

players to miss timed it, Chris Henry gives away the penalty. --

mistimed. Dave Denton and then Murray low making nuisances of

themselves and they won a penalty. -- Low. Both sides really

concentrating on those first moves. Just beyond the ten metre line so

quite stretching things. Decent effort from Laidlaw but no

three points from him. The crowd responds to that and tries to lift

the home side. Taken comfortably by Sexton and he

is taken into touch. The ball is out and Ireland have it.

Kearney, a bit of a slice, so Scotland have the line-out on this

side. The early signs of some invention. They did not allow Sexton

to catch a high ball and bundled him into touch. Really positive intent

from Scotland. They have to get some pace into this game and not let

Ireland settle into any kind of pattern. It was long, bit too long,

beyond Wilson. Hogg has been busy in the early

exchanges. From Scotland's line-out, here come Ireland.

Their first real attack up to the 22. Hit by the blue shirts well.

From the angle it will be Ireland's line-out within the 22. Again it

came through a positive kick and a very good chase. One of the features

was the intensity of the New Zealand game. And also the kick chase. Rory

Best, scorer of that try against New Zealand. Still they try to keep it

up and roll it forward. And here they come with a mighty heave up to

within five metres, four metres. Murray is looking for it. No, not

yet. So close, Ireland. Still held in there. The Scottish defence

frantically rearranging. Not forward, says the referee. I am not

sure if there is enough urgency from Ireland.

Scotland spared there but that was very impressive from Ireland. A big

statement from Ireland early on in the game. The referee had no

option. There should have been the urgency to get that ball into Irish

hands. Joe Schmidt watches with the rest of us the first scrum of the

match. REFEREE: Stand up, please. The gap

is too big. It is a big scrum but we hope it is

a good, honest, competitive scrum which ends with the ball coming out

in some way. REFEREE: I want you outside, please,

loose-head. Low was trying to step outside him.

There is the drive, working well for Ireland. Scotland will do well to

survive here. Very, very promising signs for the Irish scrum early on.

Scotland trying to drive away a bit from their online. -- their own

line. It is sent high and just into touch. Laidlaw did well to get as

much distance as he did. Scotland coming under huge pressure from

Ireland. They are really getting Murray low moving backwards. So far

the Irish line has stood up pretty well, plenty of variety. Lost at the

back by Ireland this time, so boast line-outs looking a bit feeble. --

both. And penalty to Ireland. Brown is the man penalised. It is

frustrating for Scotland, they did so well to win the Irish line-out.

He fights through the contact and the referee penalises Brown.

Referees really want to focus on the contact area and get those bodies

out of the area and get a clean ball for the attacking side. They are

going to legislate in favour of the attacking team. That was a feature

of yesterday's game as well some if the referees have had a discussion

about that... -- as well, so if... Laidlaw hitting the upright already

in this game. Sexton picks it up and his work is

done. Three points on the board for

Ireland. They could easily have had a try but three points is the

return. You've got to say it was a fair reflection. Both sides really

setting out, particularly during the contact. The hits are coming in.

David Kearney takes it. Younger brother on the wing.

Duncan Weir tried to get his small frame of that. A comeback for

Ireland. Jonathan Sexton reluctant to kick

for the touch. It wasn't a great kick but the chase was good. Andrew

Trimble managed to recover it and Ireland are playing from very deep

with real intent. That was the afterthought of an off-load from

Brian O'Driscoll. Here he is in his farewell season.

He might carry on but just turned 35, Brian O'Driscoll, and there's a

bit of afters with the referee. REFEREE: I'm not happy with that

talk between you and me, thanks. So the yellow everything has to go

through the captain. Most of the game has been happening

just inside the Irish half. Ireland with the points so far.

REFEREE: Crouch! WHISTLE BLOWS

There's been a locking of horns there.

Cian Healy is a fan of the hit and the new laws to an extent have taken

away that because they have to bind and be much much closer. The chances

against Moray Ford of getting a hit against him... He's complaining that

Low's head is not in the right position.

REFEREE: When you come down, you stay there. Once you find your

place, don't move out. Almost an element of tenderness in it!

Almost! REFEREE: Crouch! Bind! Set!

A better scrum for Scotland. Maitland bounces off Jonny Sexton.

There was a gasp from the crowd and Ryan Wilson will take it if he gets

the ball back. The ball went to loose behind Maitland so Hamilton

scooped it up. Scotland being punched back by Ireland. Mike Ross

is down. Lansdowne Road a little bit silent

as Scotland come forward and get the penalty again. Ireland not rolling

away. Mike Ross still struggling over the far side.

REFEREE: I realise it's tough but I'm setting a high standard. He's

being consistent, Craig Joubert. You can see that Devin Toner isn't

making much of an effort to move away. If he released his tackling

arm, he would be seen to be making some kind of effort you really need

to do that with Craig Joubert. Laidlaw just inside the ten metre

line this time. That kick better from Laidlaw and

the scores are tied, 3-3. A fairly muted reaction from the crowd. If

you are seen to be using your legs and blocking the player out, that is

seen as OK. What you can't do is kick at somebody. Craig Joubert let

him away with that. 19 minutes gone and we're all even.

A fairly even contest so far. A long restart from Sexton.

Conor Murray thought about sneaking under the defensive line. Down goes

David Kearney and the crowd don't like it! O Driscoll was there as

Lamont delayed and Scotland are in a bit of bother inside their own 22.

Laidlaw chip it over the top out into touch. Much quicker possession

of the ball from Ireland. They've lost some big ball-carriers.

The referee and touch judge saw nothing in that.

Advantageous to Ireland. Scotland offside, so Ireland playing with the

advantage. WHISTLE BLOWS

So far, Ireland is working very hard off the ball in terms of running

some good lines. You get the sense that maybe the wall should be going

to the wall carriers. Rory Best and Luke Marshall are opting to hold

onto the ball themselves when there seems to be space for the runners.

That's something they'll start to use as it goes on, I think. The

Scottish defence is giving the space for the Irish defence and attack to

go to. We see Marshall taking it in, trying to fix the offence. Good

attack and good defence at the moment, almost nullifying each

other. No sooner had Scotland got back on level terms than Jonny

Sexton tried to put this one over. The same line as the first one but

closer. Never going to trouble Jonny Sexton

from a distance. 6-3, Ireland leads. There was a lot

of talk about Jonny Sexton's prep time preceding that fateful penalty

but he does take a long time anyway. I didn't felt he took overly long

over that penalty. It's amazing when 60,000 fall silent and wait and wait

and Sexton gives Ireland the lead again.

Rob Kearney is well brought down by Sean Lamont. Kelly Brown will come

away with it. Duncan Taylor brought down. It's not

coming back Scotland's way. Boat comes in and out it goes.

Duncan Weir does well but he's on his own.

The contacts in the outside channel are fierce. As soon as there's

opportunity for a turnover, they are firing bodies in. Scotland fighting

to keep the ball. A little bit of sense, understanding and knowledge,

as Laidlaw chips it over. Really aggressive work from the outside

channel, looking for that turnover. Difficult to call at the moment, in

terms of how it's going to go. Ireland seem to have the upper hand

in certain areas but Scotland moving forward nicely at certain times. A

bit of a break for some injury treatment. A big feature of the game

has been the stats in terms of possession. Scotland have had 68 and

the Lions share of the territory. Ireland are really living off scrap

this. They look a bit more dangerous when they have the ball but are not

getting the ball at the moment. Advantage to Scotland. The penalty

is theirs if they make nothing of this. Despite O'Driscoll coming up,

Scotland still have it. The move is still going as Craig Joubert called

them back for a penalty. REFEREE: Number one collapsing.

Brought down by Cian Healy. With so much of this game being

played within the two ten metre lines, no side really has the

try-line in sight so it's a very tame affair at the moment with, I

suppose, the contact area being the most competitive. Both sides need to

get themselves closer to the opposition 22 and creates scoring

chances to really open the game up. An interesting decision. Hogg could

have had a pop. Scotland have the line-out, didn't get too much

ground. A penalty rather wasted by Scotland. Murray clears.

Scotland flinging it about. Kelly Brown scooped it up.

The Ross Ford large as his way up to the halfway. -- Ross Ford. Great

play by the Ireland fullback. Very promising for Scotland. They are

getting some field position, frustrating Ireland. Rob Kearney has

given them a bit of breathing space with that kick. It is still

Scotland's line-out, though. Taken in the middle by Swinson.

Maitland had come back inside but into touch it goes. Hogg has looked

sharp, hasn't he? You see him putting it through and you can bet

your bottom dollar that Scotland will put some pressure on here.

Trying to get hands in their was Ryan Wilson but good save take for

Ireland. They muscle their way away from the try-line. And Scotland will

have the scrum. A feud tempers beginning to fray at the edges.

Scotland doing exactly what they need to be doing, getting men in

there, hands on the ball. It is the second time they have disrupted an

Irish ball. Swinson enjoying his first Six Nations. Real pressure now

on the Irish defence. The referee has come around to look

at the troublesome side. A roar from the crowd. An Irish Charvet and they

seem to have the better of that one but Denton comes off the line and

tries to get it down into touch. The power of the number eight nearly got

him there on his own. I think it was Conor Murray who came from the

scrum-half position. You can see that telescopic arm coming out ready

to get over the whitewash but a last ditch defended by Ireland and they

need to do it all over again. -- defence by baize. -- Ireland.

You see Dave Denton almost ready to reach out for the line. Good

defensive work coming across. So close. Scotland's line-out again,

lots of territory but they trailed by three points. A slight

overthrow. Maitland is instantly clutching his

lower calf after that collision. It did not look as he came down, the

challenge with Dave Kearney was fair.

I think that might be the end of Maitland's match. Kearney is

grimacing a bit. Let's get the thoughts of Keith Wood on the match

so far. I think the first ten minutes or so were pretty intense

but Scotland with all of the possession, they have one across the

field time and time again, have not seemed to have any kind of intrusion

into the Ireland line. That was hard to see Maitland landing on his

angle. Maitland goes off and a loss of pace in the back three for

Scotland, that will be. Max Evans will come on, I am sure. Most of the

decisions in the Irish defence have been to tackle low. Whether that is

a new Joe Schmidt initiative, who knows. Max Evans brings a certain

spark to play. Stand up, please. Let's have a look

at where this match has been played. Scotland with most of the

possession. There was a decision not to have a go with that early

penalty, a strange one. Most of the Scottish possession has been in the

Irish half, which is why the game is so closely balanced. Most of the

Irish possession has been in the Scottish half. There needs to be

some movement before the ball if and when it comes out of the scrum.

The scrum is crumbling but it is fine, held at the back there. The

Irish defence has to quickly reset itself.

Scotland finding themselves again in a good position. What can they do

with it? Options either side. A penalty to Ireland. Both defences

just cancelling each other out at the moment. Scotland when they are

getting the ball, on that occasion just being bottled up. Good work of

the ball by Ireland. A game of few points at the moment, five minutes

to go, 6-3 the lead for Ireland. Much of it has been inside

Scotland's half. Ireland's line-out looked a little

bit awry. Both sides making some basic errors, some good passages of

play but set pieces on both sides, they are struggling with the

line-outs on occasion. That was clearly down the Irish side

from Rory Best. Scotland's scrum but called for a

moment and then steadied itself. Denton has been very busy, very

powerful. The winger has done well. We spoke

about, as soon as he went on the pitch, he could do that. A good

clearance kick. They are meandering around out with V-22s on the pitch

at the moment. -- outwith the 22s. Lovely dummy by Sexton. Still

going! Hogg tries to take Heaslip. He's lips cause! Gets the ball down.

-- Heaslip scores! Fantastic by Jonny Sexton. I think the grounding

was OK but it was the touch-line that denied Heaslip. It would have

been a great captain's try. Max Evans just about get him down before

the line. That is a very tough one to call. That is not going to be the

angle. It is the original angle... Yes, he did put his foot in touch. I

have a decision, foot in touch, line-out. The crowd agreed that it

is the right decision. With two minutes to go, great position for

Ireland. Scotland's line-out misfires again. Penalty advantage to

Ireland as well. Conor Murray tried to get it free. Looking for a try

just before half-time. What a time to screw it would be for Ireland. --

to score. Sexton's kick did not give anybody a chance there. He looks

down in disgust, he knows that is poor execution. They say, three

points before half-time is not what we are looking for, we want more.

This last-minute is a very big minute. The line-outs have had their

troubles through the match as a whole. This is how they had some

near success earlier in the match. The crowd urging them on. Stalling

for a moment. Their body positions aren't low enough. A bit more room

to play with. Conor Murray held by Duncan Weir but Ireland getting

closer. Cian Healy at the heart of the drive. It goes wide. A great

tackle from Tuohy. The try is there for them and it's Trimble who

passes. They have their try as the clock goes red. What a time to

score! What a try from Andrew Trimble! They were able to get that

ball away quickly so the Scottish defence wasn't allowed to reset and

they made use of the extra man. From there it was a simple case of

putting the ball through the hands but it still had to be done. Maybe

Hogg was a bit tight there. Man for man, Scotland were OK. A bit too

narrow on the defence. You got the impression that Ireland were in

control from that drive. Lovely hands all the way along. Andrew

Trimble scored in the corner for his 13th try. Wonderfully executed.

Because Ireland had attacked the line so hard, it brought the

Scotland defence in. A good decision to go for a line-out. They knew they

had that coming. Rob Kearney is back on his feet. Jonathan Sexton with

the final kick of this first half. A groan from the crowd means the

final touch of the half is not successful but Ireland have the

lead. A great bit of enterprise from Jonny Sexton, who's been moving the

ball across the field most of the afternoon and got Scotland very flat

that time. More of that needed in the second half. That's given them a

healthy margin. But the match is still very much up for grabs.

Ireland 11-3 at the break. Two thirds of the matches in last

year's Six Nations were decided with less than two points. This could be

another one. -- less than ten points. The statistics say it has

been Scotland's match but it was three apiece after a Sexton penalty

and then a Laidlaw penalty. This was as close, you thought, as Ireland

would come but with the clock already having passed 40 minutes,

Trimble over. Sexton missing the kick and who is to say how key that

might be? As things stand at half-time, it's 11-3.

Andy Nicol has been talking about Scotland having Sony opportunities.

But it's like a football much. Yeah, what we've just seen is when they

got close to it. They've had the possession and some of the lines

have been good. They can get the ball in the right places but have

not been able to make the next step. They've not managed to get any

mismatches. What they want is Maitland and Hogg. They've got Hogg,

Lamont and Dunbar running at some of the forwards. It's no good me coming

to you and you coughing! I think their angles of running are wrong

because they create overlap but don't pick the right winners. This

is early on. They all run to the line but they are just targeting

O'Driscoll. The ball should go to this guy on the outside but because

they've held the defence, it's the wrong ball. That's good play but

they had the opportunity. Look at O'Driscoll. He's got to

straighten up, he's got to straighten up and they've got a

two-man overlap. Pathetic! You cannot do that. They are creating

the numbers but, as I said before the game, they're not clinical

enough and not picking the right options. The third man in cannot

appreciate the space he has to create for the outside man. If he

gets the ball, why Chuck is run when you've got an overlap? It's the

skill level and the awareness out wide. Everything else they are doing

exceptionally well. They are in total control but just

not clinical when the opportunities come. Let's talk about Ireland

because they are leading and if you're talking about clinical and

seeing an opportunity and make the most of it, Sexton - what a great

break. That was a fantastic break. His pace and acceleration and the

movement from left to right. It is fantastic. I was looking at Jamie

Heaslip in that. He slowed down to take a hit and I couldn't understand

that. You get off the touchline and you get your body position down. He

wanted to look for somebody to pass two, instead of having a ruthless

level to try to score in the corner. Credit to Stuart Hogg. He had full

commitment and it wouldn't stop him but he slowed down to allow Max

Evans in. Ireland did score. You make the call and you have to ask

whether it is a good call or a bad call. A good decision. You have to

score. Kicked into the corner and you can see from here, it's ran into

the middle of the field. We kept saying, " go wide, go wide". There

was a one-man overlap at the end of that but it was just making certain

that every pass went to the right place. The difference between this

and what you just pick up on a minute ago was that all the passes

were quick, with no running with the ball in hand. It was popping

straight in front of somebody. You had catch and give, catch and give.

In the previous round, they had an overlap. But when it came out,

Sexton made a late run which created the overlap. If you've got an

overlap, you put it through the hands and use score. That's been the

only difference, I feel, between Scotland and Ireland. Denton has

been outstanding in the Scottish pack and he almost sneaked over. He

had a lot of problems at the base of the scrum. You thought at this point

he would score but you can see from behind, O'Mahony and Murray come in

here and it's a good pick-up. He gets past Heaslip. Look at the

commitment from O'Mahony and Murray, coming in. It is a repeated

conversation that we have during these matches, about a line-out.

When a line-out stops functioning, whose fault is it? The thrower in,

the jumper, the opposition putting them off their stride? It was very

often my fault in my day! I will get that in before you say it. It is a

system and it depends how it works at different times. I looked at this

quite hard. That is the hooker's fault because the ball went a guard

to the right where he couldn't get it. -- a yard. It's the whole

system. It's like an accumulation. That puts into the mind of the

hooker at the very end... That one led to the try. It did. It puts into

the mind of the hooker, "I'm not very certain that the people are

going to be where they say they will be" . Andy was talking about having

possession and what they do with it. Every time they have his possession,

-- had possession, it led to a situation... They haven't been in

the 22, apart from Denton. Things like that are really crucial to

building the pressure, going through the phases, and eventually creating

an opportunity. It'll be very frustrating for the Scottish

management. We spoke earlier about how important a fit Stuart Hogg was.

He's been very involved as a crash tackler but also in open play but

should he have been off the field for a trip? He's been very busy and

done everything asked of him. Sean Lamont is getting the ball in play

here, trying to get the ball in hand. Scotland want players like

Stuart Hogg getting the ball in hand.

I think that is a coming together. I genuinely don't think so. I've

looked at a couple of times. I think he's the most excelling player that

Scotland have. I thought that was, but when you watch it again... He

has all the skills. He's a class act. The commitment there - he's

giving it so much. Every fullback needs to do that.

Where is the Ireland from the match against the All Blacks? The fear

that we have is that if they don't play with the full level of

intensity... I mean, Ireland have had the ball if you times but if

they play at that intensity, they will pretty much play Scotland away.

At the moment, they're plane from very deep. They did score from very

deep, with Jonny Sexton, but that's not where they want to play.

Scotland prevented them playing at that intensity because they

dominated the territory. They're dictating the tempo of the game.

When Ireland get in a dangerous position, they score, whereas

Scotland don't. Talking of what Scotland will do in the second half,

here's man who should know. What were the key messages at

half-time? We've played a lot of good rugby and just let ourselves

down at line-out time. Too much ball in their half but we had some good

possessions. Getting into great positions are not being able to

secure the line-out - how concerning is that? It is a concern. We've done

a lot of good work getting in there and put a lot of pressure in them.

Some good shape their and that's the biggest area that's let us down.

Some encouraging signs. Do you expect changes? We've got a strong

bench. We'll look to use the bench and keep the pace of the game really

high. Stick a white high-spirited? Definitely. There's been positives.

The line-out is something we have to work on. Thanks very much.

There is no match of the day to tonight because the biggest game of

the season so far is tomorrow night. He's done it again! Great finish!

Something else you will want to watch... Oh, sorry, there is Six

Nations, Ireland versus Wales next weekend, live on BBC One. France

versus Italy live from Paris next Sunday at 2:30pm. The thing I was

going to mention when I got ahead of myself was that tonight may be the

crucial singles. Andy Murray is playing in the Davis cup. That is

after James Ward's amazing victory. You can watch that on the red button

from 7pm and it moves to BBC Three at 8:20pm. If Andy Murray wins,

England with a group match in the Davis cup for the first time since

1986. What do Scotland have to do to win

here for the first time since 1998? Duncan Hodge mentioned it, I think

the bench will come into it. Max Evans is already there, I think we

will see Matt Scott come on in the centre. Scotland are winning the

ball, it is what they are doing with it. They can't let Ireland get away.

If Lace macro score first, that is it. -- Ireland score first. I was

told that you would have a shave if Scotland win. I will happily do

that. I think there is a sense of nervousness but I would like to see

the forwards carried the ball. I think they are missing Sean O'Brien.

They are looking to see who will carry it. It will be interesting to

see who it is. You can see Iain Henderson coming off the bench. He

has such unbelievable quick feet. In the last 15, 20 minutes, that could

be yet. We have a forum on the red button, any thoughts you have about

Wales' victory over Italy or the England - France match, let us know.

But we still have 40 minutes left to go.

The whistle of Craig Joubert blows and Jonny Sexton gets us under way

again. Maitland is off and Max Evans is in on the wing.

The bounce is quite good for Duncan Weir and for Scotland because up

come the centres and sends Dave Kearney into touch. Again Scotland

getting the advantage of territory and possession. Ireland unable to

feed off Sexton. Ford is feeling the pressure, the line-out has not

worked perfectly for Scotland by any means in the first half. Long is the

option this time, safely into the midriff of Jim Hamilton.

Scotland 15 metres out from the Irish line and they have the

advantage. Scotland's penalty. Rob Kearney is off, he gallops off

down the tunnel. We do need you, Rob. It will be a straightforward

pop at the bull's-eye, you would think. A chance to get back within

five points. Ross Ford through over the 15, a long throw to Jim

Hamilton, and a lot of control there, keeping the ball and putting

Ireland under pressure. I wonder how many rolling mauls generate

penalties like that. It is a cheap three points and all of a sudden

Ireland giving Scotland a very easy to kick opportunity.

Another three points for Laidlaw and for Scotland. Back within five.

Somewhere Ireland have to found that's -- to find that spark that

Laidlaw ignited. They are missing the likes of Sean O'Brien to get

them beyond that gain-line, but somebody has to do it. Sexton chips

straight down the middle on the restart. Very effective restart,

gives them this wonderful position. Can Ireland again be more effective

with their position in Scotland? -- with their possession than

Scotland. Sexton saw the Scottish defenders

coming up, held on. Chris Henry again. Still, Ireland's ball. Dave

Kearney going nowhere there. Too wide beyond Rob Kearney and

Scotland have a scrum. This time it is Ireland's attack. Chris Henry is

prominent, as is Kearney, but they not able to make the most of it.

Dave Kearney's run was very clear to the Scottish defence. It is very

obvious there that he is going to pass. I want to see him being more

direct and taking defenders on. First scrum of this second half.

These were fairly even affairs in the first half.

Straight down the middle so it is available to be hoped by Ireland. --

hooked. Dave Kearney is brought down by Hogg. And a penalty to Ireland.

That is what a straight put-in an scrum can do. -- in a scrum. A

wonderful pastor Dave Kearney. This is the pressured the Irish front row

are putting on the Scottish. -- the pressure. Ireland have gone once

again for this position, they go for the line-out. The line-out works,

and it is a gallop towards the line. Surely a try! It is! Two men there

and a try for Ireland. The Scottish defence have been good with the

Irish maul so far. They did not really get men there in numbers when

the ball was one by Dan Tuohy. -- was taken. Immediately it is slipped

to Heaslip and it is driven over the line. As much as that try is worth

five, perhaps seven, points, they know that they have very much the

upper hand. Ireland up to 12 points ahead. It

was virtually tackled into touch. Too easy for Ireland there from

Scotland's point of view. Scotland near to set -- need to

score a try if they are to remain in this match. Very easily read by the

Irish defence. A couple of green shirts to meet Wilson.

Taylor trying to get this back, and he does.

Trimble wins the aerial battle. A little knock-on, Scotland will have

the scrum. He did so well to take it but again it was good Scottish

pressure on the ball. That was good, by what looked like Kelly

Brown, getting in there quickly. There is Sean Maitland, his right

ankle in a protective cast. It obviously does not look good for the

rest of the Six Nations for Sean Maitland.

Free kick to Ireland on that occasion. That is clearly an

overhang from the last scrum, when they were pushed off the ball. A bit

too eager there. Taylor might have gone too long...

It has. Things are not working for Scotland. Disappointing. The kick

was read well from Conor Murray. Scotland need to keep the ball,

build possession. There was a fair bit of space there for him to have a

cut at Luke Marshall and he chose to kick the ball. That for me shows a

bit of lack of confidence on the ball.

Heaslip nearly through again. More players arriving now.

Marshall into the 22. Ireland looking far the better side at the

moment. Rory Best again, the pirouette.

Ireland's scrum. Marshall has taken a bit of a knock. Scotland have

looked a lot sharper. Marshall is having an enormous impact on this.

Ireland have improved their game. Dickinson in their for Ryan Grant as

the Scottish loose-head. -- in there. Occasionally you win matches

by penalties that more often than not you need to score tries. The

position has been almost between the ten metre lines but Scotland have

had possession, they just have not had the confidence, the ability to

take it on. Possession has turned around in the second half. That has

been key. 61% to Ireland. Not a bad start to the Six Nations for

Ireland. They play against Wales next weekend. Held at the back by

Heaslip. More ground made. Good tackling

coming in from Scotland. REFEREE: Move your feet! A little

loop around by Sexton. Ireland within ten metres now.

Advanta had Ireland. An attack to nothing for Murray. -- advantage

Ireland. There is the penalty. No advantage

comes. Scotland not rolling away in the tackle.

REFEREE: Come here, please, Jim. Listen, you've tried to explain to

me that you are mates with them and that kind of thing. The fact of the

matter is, every time there is a something, you are involved. Do you

understand? Big Jim Hamilton having to stick up for himself! I've heard

everything now. The level of intensity from Ireland when they are

on the ball... It's really stretching the Scottish defence and

they're having to give away the penalties. The last two or three

attacks, if you were watching Leinster, the Joe Schmidt

influence... A lot of movement. Maybe in the 3-34-macro months he's

had in charge, he's begun to set his mark on how he wants to see it. They

are not looking back inside so much. Sexton again goes into the long,

thoughtful pause and the silence is in the stadium again.

This one is good! It moves Ireland beyond 20 points and their lead is

looking very strong now. This is the penalty and here's the pressure.

Sexton putting the ball into there. They're looking to the outside

channels again. Rob Kearney hitting the wide channels and you can expect

to see a lot more of that if Ireland get field position. Johnnie Beattie

is on, Kelly Brown is off. Richard Gray is on as well in the second

row. So, Richard Gray is on for Jim Hamilton.

Scotland got away with one there. The referee didn't spot it. The

touch judge is still waiting in field because he spotted that.

Scotland in the 22. Here they come up with a bit of space. Still touch

judges infield but it's a turnover for Ireland anyway.

WHISTLE BLOWS And a penalty now to Ireland.

Scotland holding on. REFEREE: I'm happy he got to his

feet. That's my call. Chris Henry looks to have, perhaps to, damaged

himself a bit. That's where the turnover happened. I think it was

John Beattie's carry. Chris Henry getting in there. He's been pretty

much first to the breakdown but because Scotland have been hitting

that breakdown, it's been himself against a couple of Scottish players

that he's won the turnover. It looks as if the third match of

the weekend is going the way of Ireland but still some distance to

go with 20 minutes. Scotland haven't shown yet that they have the

creative sparkle that might help bridge the gap. I noticed a change

in Ireland's kicking. In the second half, Conor Murray and John Sexton

are just keeping the ball. Almost there for the interception by a

Driscoll but taken down by Kearney, who did well.

Duncan Weir tackling his heart out for Ireland.

Such a creative, skilful prop forward, Cian Healy. Ireland again

into a menacing position. Mike Ross surely expected that.

REFEREE: Turnover good. Picked up by Johnny Beattie.

Nobody there for Scotland but the ball is still in there, according to

the referee. A penalty as Sexton came through. A pretty clear no from

Craig Joubert. REFEREE: I shouted as loud as I can.

That ball is still in, I think. Did it popped out at the last minute? As

long as the foot is over that ball, it's still deemed to be in and

Scotland have the penalty. Cian Healy has been bumping one of

two players and then thundering towards Stuart Hogg. He'll be

delighted that Duncan Weir got back and made that wonderful tackle.

Scotland's line-out. Richie Gray takes it for Scotland.

O'Driscoll puts his foot on. It's kept in play, just. He's brought

down eventually by Chris Henry and gets the ball away.

Taylor did well to stand up there in the challenge.

Decent play by Scotland. So eco-green that's what Scotland need

to do, as much out of desperation as anything. Showing good enterprise.

They need to keep that intensity. More changes being made.

Mike Ross is coming towards the end of his career. Martin Moore is

coming on to take his place. So eco-green turnover signals the entry

of Martin Moore. I say he's nearing the end of a

career but props can go on for a long time. If Scotland are to have

any chance of this match, they have to score now. A little move through

the middle. Conor Murray clears again. Sean Lamont takes it. A long

kick by Murray. They decided to put that deep. A good kick by Conor

Murray. His kicking has improved so much in the last couple of years. A

real strength now. Cian Healy is coming off and Jack McGrath is

coming on. Cian Healy will remember his little scamper through midfield.

A good day in the scrum, as well. We've seen him winning the ball so

often. This line-out works at the back again for Scotland but they

have to build from deep again. Duncan Weir pops it on and it is

well directed by him. He's controlled his backline quite

well, Duncan Weir. He is getting to the wall a bit quicker and wrote of

possession. -- a bit more possession. Matt Scott comes on for

Duncan Taylor. He's been out with injury for a while and struggled for

match sharpness. Ireland, importantly, get the line-up with

Devin Toner doing well again. Driscoll had to be up very sharply

there because the defence was looking shaky. Charged by the fresh

on the field, Jack McGrath. -- by the man fresh.

Matt Scott getting a touch of the ball, and penalty to Scotland.

Players looking tired on both sides now. The time and the ball slipping

away from Scotland. It is quite similar to the France versus England

game but the control was slightly better. It is more enterprising from

Scotland, they still have a lot of possession but they can't break out

of defence. It is such a physical game, particularly in the first

half. A lot of players showing the fatigue of the first half effort. A

couple of changes for Scotland, Moray Low is off and we saw Rory

Best going off as well. Sean Cronin is an. A completely new Irish front

row, against an almost completely new Scottish front row. Ford is

still there. Neither side giving quarter there.

Somebody do something. Driscoll is still full of running

strength. A penalty to Ireland. Not staying on their feet as they come

through. He is fully committed, but he has to stay on his feet. Gives

Sexton the chance to bring Ireland deep into the Scotland half.

That was the try from Jamie Heaslip earlier in the second half.

Smiles from Rory Best, who is off the field now.

We saw Jamie Heaslip's try a moment ago. Wonderful pick-up there.

The kick nearly taken by Rob Kearney but Greg Joubert has given this. I

think he was a bit quick to give that. You could say both players had

it. Kearney and Laidlaw. How well-placed is this kick? Very

well placed. Marshall came up. It looks like he's enjoying it now,

Jonathan Sexton. A reasonable first half but he really came into his own

towards the end with that wonderful kick. This is wonderful, two or

three yards short of the line. He is enjoying being back with Ireland. It

was hard for him at times, the French experience. This line-out has

to work well. It does, to Wilson. Beattie takes the thump eventually

from O'Donnell. Some lovely wraparound played by

Ireland. -- play. The Scottish back line keeping it alive. Ireland

looking for one more try to put this game beyond all doubt.

Always testing and tiring the Scottish defence. Once again Jack

McGrath is there. Chris Henry is there, finds support

from Sean Cronin. Still there for Ireland. Kearney has gone over the

line! Try for Rob Kearney. Ireland will without doubt be the winners of

this match now. He has done well, getting back into the Scottish

defence. It is the off-load, Henry gets in behind, sensible, keeps the

ball. That is great strength and power from Rob Kearney. Lovely cut

back inside. He is running against forwards at that stage. He did well

to get to the line, you could see him stretching and straining. As a

fullback you look to try to get the ball, try to get your hands in the

game. A wonderful place to attack and he deserves his try. He loves

playing for Joe Schmidt in Leinster and here now. Try for Rob Kearney

and it is beginning to look a very comfortable for Ireland.

Applause for players coming off the pitch, waste-macro about to make

changes after this kick. -- Ireland. Ireland 22 points clear.

Sexton is off, Paddy Jackson is on in his place. All changes have been

made now for Ireland, nothing more to give. Paul O'Connell is coming

back for the next match against Wales. Ireland have six days before

that match and Scotland have six days before they face England at

Murrayfield. Devin Toner is going off, to be replaced by Iain

Henderson. Chris Cusiter, so all of the replacements have been used for

both sides. Scotland trying to take something

from this match but three tries tells enough of a tail. -- tale.

Turnover good, says the referee. Scotland refused to release it,

penalty to Ireland. A whole new set of halfbacks for

Ireland. A whole new front row, some key positions, because Joe Schmidt

will be conscious of building depth in this squad, with a World Cup

ahead. Tight-head prop, Brian O'Driscoll, he has to find a

successor for him. Jack McGrath has really proved himself to be a sound

backer. A decent attacking a physician here. -- attacking

position. Confidence flowing through the Irish

players here. Penalty to Scotland. Quite often the midfield centres and

the back row guys, he has led by example. A lot of good work in the

first half but nothing clinical by Scotland. Not that final pass and

that really positive decision towards the end. They have come up

against a good side in Ireland and I think Ireland will be a top side in

this year's tournament. Things become more clear after the opening

weekend and Ireland's prospects looking ahead? I think Joe Schmidt

will be relatively happy. He will want to look at some things in the

first half. When they were in the opposition half, there intends to

was good but they will want to improve ball retention, aspects of

the game in the first half, because they will not get away with that

against France away, England away. Ireland are much more effective with

the ball. They will have the ball for a scrum. Ireland got a try just

before half-time, which was a big positive for them, and they scored

quickly after half-time on a Jamie Heaslip with that fantastic try, so

when they score is really important. Ireland have been the more confident

team. It is between the last 15 and the first 15 For Ireland that has

got them into this position. A scrum in the final minutes of this match.

A reminder again that the forum comes up after this match. You can

discuss this match, France against England, Wales against Italy.

The scrum a fairly even contest. Heaslip with a flip through the legs

and Ireland again. Advantageous to Ireland as Dunbar

came through. Back they come for a penalty. Petering out little bit now

and Ireland are looking comfortable. That was a good idea by Paddy

Jackson. He kicked a little bit low but he knew he had the penalty

coming. Important game time for him. Weir The RBS Six Nations man of the

match as Jamie Heaslip. That announcement was met with

general approval. The RBS Six Nations man of the match is Jamie

Heaslip. Heaslip has led the side well. As you might expect for a

player of his experience and calibre. The line-out does not work

but eventually comes back to Ireland.

Into the final minutes of this match.

Will there be a fourth try for Ireland? Jackson found support

outside. Already, this win will take Ireland

to the top of this Six Nations table but looking to improve their points

difference still further. Jack McGrath merely through the

middle. Seconds remaining in the match. Ireland looking for another

try and the crowd willing them on. Scotland defending only for pride

now. Cronin for the line but just repelled. Still they come, Ireland.

So close! A little chip through and it might work well for Ireland.

Kearney - did he get it down? WHISTLE BLOWS

There may well be a final try to celebrate for Ireland. If he has got

this down, try or no try is the question. Well, it looked unlikely

when Paddy Jackson put the kick in that anybody was going to get it.

There was the bounce. I think it's a try. He's got it down but where did

it bounce? It was a wicked bounce. Logic would have said it should have

kicked on but it didn't. I think it's inside the line. It has bounced

on the line, though. Has it? We can't see. No, that's clearly out.

So, no final try but a great effort to get it down from David Kearney.

It's not a try. Touchline. REFEREE: The ball has bounced in and

gone. No try. A whistle goes immediately to end the match and the

blues will turn to cheers for a good Irish effort. -- the brewing will

turn to Cheers. They found their way in the second

half and started taking Scotland a bit deeper in their own 22 and the

points came from there. A long way ahead in this Six Nations for

Scotland. They have six days to dust themselves down and take on England.

Ireland grew stronger and stronger as the game went on. Scotland have

to go back home, look at it and it's a big challenge next Saturday at

Murrayfield. Ireland convincing winners, 28-6.

Keith, your thoughts on that? I think Ireland will be happy. The

increased the intensity. They put Scotland under pressure all the

time. They seemed to have a lot of space. I think Scotland lost any

intensity that they had. The defensive line started drifting back

and it was a facile win at the end. Ireland topped the table at the end

of this first weekend on points difference. Ireland have a chance to

follow it up against Wales next weekend. Andy, what do you say about

that from a Scottish perspective? Disappointed. In the first half

there was some good build-up but no cutting edge. Second half, not even

any good build-up play. A lot of effort and endeavour but that's a

given, the bare minimum you could expect. There were five points in it

after 46 minutes and then suddenly, the waves parted. Let's hear from

one of the key figures in Ireland's victory.

Many congratulations. A great way to mark your 50th cap. It's nice to get

off to a winning start. It's something every team wants to do in

the Six Nations. We're really happy with that. A big second-half - what

was the key message at half-time? We needed to go after it. We had a bit

of breathing space and we felt that we could just keep building phases

and attacking and if we got off to a good start in the second-half, we

could build on it. Your little brother nearly got on the scoresheet

at the end of the second half. When you saw the try-line, there was no

holding you. I think that Dan Tuohy made a great off-load. Scotland's

defence was struggling a bit so I saw a bit of a gap. The rest

happened from there. A quick six day turn around before you take on

Wales. A massive challenge for us. We're under no illusions. We have to

recover well. They've had an extra day's recovery so we certainly know

it's a massive challenge coming. They have won three in a row

Championships, as Warren Gatland has alluded to. A bit of extra spice? I

think so. Did Scotland get worse audit Ireland

get better? I think Ireland got better and they picked the tempo up

and dominated every facet of play. They didn't look tired. I think they

tried just before half-time to put it out of Scotland and they scored

straightaway after six minutes. It must be very difficult when you go

two scores behind, not only are you struggling to score tries yourself

but mentally trying to get back in the game. You must feel a little bit

flat. They kept on trying but just haven't got the spark. Regular

viewers, who've been listening to Brian Moore four years talking about

putting the ball in straight at scrums, will almost have taken

pleasure in what was almost the defining moment of the game. Explain

what's happening. The ball has to be struck and it isn't. I've done a

couple of sessions with forward packs over the last few months and

their 3-34-macro elements of skills that are gone from the game, of how

to drop your right shoulder to make certain you get the angle. The panic

is lifting one foot off the ground. They haven't had to do that for

nearly ten years. That was genuinely down the middle. He was delighted.

It's all he ever wanted. They would want to get the ball to Dave

Denton's feet as quick as possible. That comes from a quick strike,

which is a lost art. They don't do it. The net result of that was the

position that allowed Ireland to score the decisive try. A really

good setup and a fantastic take at the back. It's the pace. You don't

really know who scores this - whether it's Rory Best or Jamie

Heaslip. You can see them fighting for the ball and I'd say they had a

good scrap about it. It's between Jamie Heaslip and Rory Best. But

technically, for Scotland, if they're going to compete, they need

somebody else to stop the ball. They competed in the air and there was a

gap for Ireland. They defended the first half ready well, Scotland, but

three of them took to ground. Suddenly there was nobody defending.

There was a shift and Ireland moved it away. As a neutral, you were

getting very area it is about Kearney being allowed to score the

try. Watch this. He always does it. He gets the ball. There is no way he

should score there. Five defenders, fullback, three tackles. He fend

them off an scores. He said himself that he shouldn't score there. That

sums up the contrast between the two teams. It's not just the cutting

out. Scotland's intensity in defence dropped off. When you get a sniff of

an opportunity, you've got to raise the pace of the game. Look at the

best sides in the world - once they've seen the opportunity, Wang!

They switch on and score and start again. -- Bang. We have our forum

coming up. Give us a shout with our hashtag or on our Facebook site.

It's very unfair in a way to pick up one incident and say it sums up how

Scotland's formed a generated, but... The penalty is given. Greig

Laidlaw gets it. He goes and Max Evans comes in, comes across,

off-load it to Sean Lamont. He goes across. There's no pace. We have

just highlighted a ten second piece but that really summed up

Scotland's performance. Nobody was joined up, there was no execution,

no cutting-edge. Here we are in the first instalment of this year's

championship. We had a great day yesterday and perhaps that was the

flattest of the three. Where is the balance of power after what we've

seen? I think the balance of power may have been in Paris. The two best

performances were from England and France. Great games coming on next

week and in many ways, teams just want to get the first game out of it

and still have a lot to play for. I would say Ireland, Wales, England

and France all have a lot to play for. I thought England played

exceptionally well and should have won yesterday. A big game next week.

Wales come to Dublin. With Gatland and O'Driscoll and everything else

that goes on between Ireland and Wales, a massive game! Quite a gig

Wood big game at Murrayfield. I don't think Scotland supporters will

be looking forward to it. They've got to get it right. Plenty more

sport for you on BBC TV over the next 24 hours.

Thanks to people from Dundee who said that I said the USA were

playing England in the Davis Cup. Great Britain, obviously! The

matches on the red button from 7pm this evening and is then on BBC

Three after that. Talking of the red button, if you have any thoughts on

the events in Dublin, Cardiff or Paris over the last 24 hours, use

our hashtag and we'll talk to you in a few moments on the red button.

Goodbye.