Ireland wins in Scotland and jeopardizes the chances of a French victory

Despite a cascade of injuries, the Irish accelerated in the second half and rolled out their usual rugby. ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

Ireland received four out of four. Despite a disputed first half, the XV of Clover ended up taking the upper hand over Scotland this Sunday to win 22 to 7 at Murrayfield. After its big victory on Saturday in England, the French team revived its chances of final victory and counted on an Irish misstep this Sunday afternoon.

We will now have to wait until the last day (March 18) and hope for an improbable success for England in Dublin combined with an improved victory for the Blues over Wales. This last hope does exist.

A close first half

At the start of the match, the sequences of the XV of Clover marked the Scottish defense with a hot iron, which made a mistake in stride. Sexton converts the penalty and opens the scoring (13e). But Gregor Townsend’s men reacted through the three-quarter center Huw Jones, served blind by Tuipulotu at height (17e). Russell transforms and the XV du Chardon passes in front. Despite the outings of Doris, Sheehan and Henderson, injured, the Scots were never able to regain control of the game.

On the contrary, Josh van der Flier’s teammates will react to the half-hour mark. The forwards play in the back for Ringrose then Keenan, who extends his pass for Hansen. The winger accelerates and scores in a corner. Sexton misses the transformation but despite a last Scottish possession, the Irish lead at the break (7-8).

Two Irish tries in 4 minutes

Ireland will again accelerate in the second half. Lowe is the first to shine in corner (56e) after a long pounding streak before Conan drove the point home six minutes later. The Scots suffer and can no longer do it, like some rude forwards. Van der Flier, the usual flanker, turned into an almost perfect pitcher (two touches lost out of six) after the exits of the two hookers Sheehan and Kelleher. Sign of a team in full confidence…

Sexton’s teammates – who this Sunday equaled the record held by his compatriot Ronan O’Gara in terms of points scored in the history of the Tournament (557 points) – will push to register a last try synonymous with an offensive bonus, in vain. With this success, Ireland compromises a coronation of the XV of France in the competition one day from the end and will face in Dublin next weekend, an English team in crisis.

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