Ireland end campaign in style

Ireland 15 Scotland 3

Scotland, having suffered a 50-0 to the English a week beforehand, fared a bit better this time around, but struggled up front against a very mobile Irish forward unit.

The opening exchanges saw little in terms of attacking play but Ireland were nonetheless the dominant team with Mary Louise Reilly and Sinead Ryan very prominent in the lineouts.

Scotland, however, were first to make it past the gain line, with a nice chip through from Scotland’s number eight, Susie Brown, bringing her team just 10 metres short of the Irish line.

However, it was a full half hour before either team had a shot on goal, with Halfpenny pulling her attempt wide.

The Irish eventually went in front on 37 minutes with drives from Joy Neville and Reilly setting up a penalty for Niamh Briggs.

And the Clonmel girl duly obliged in front of the posts, before Halfpenny responded in kind at the other end to leave it 3-3 at the break.

However the second half was just four minutes old when Norah Stapleton squeezed over in the corner.

Ireland kept their foot on the gas, and following a sustained spell of pressure in the Scottish 22, eventually made the line on the hour mark.

Following a clean line out take by Reilly, Tania Rosser popped to ball out to wing forward Sinead Ryan for Ireland’s second try, which secured victory and an upbeat end to their campaign.

Scorers for Ireland: S Stapleton, S Ryan try each, N Briggs pen, con.

Scorers for Scotland: N Halfpenny pen.

IRELAND: N Briggs; A Davis, J O’Sullivan, G Davitt, N Stapleton; H Brosnan, T Rosser; F Coghlan, G Bourke, L Day; K O’Loughlin, ML Reilly; O Brennan S Ryan, J Neville.

Replacements: L Austin for Day half time, S Houston for Davitt 60 mins, C Staunton for Brennan 61 mins, C Mahon for O’ Loughlin 65 mins, L Beamish for Brosnan 68 mins, E Downey for Stapleton 73 mins.

SCOTLAND: N Halfpenny; C Hawthorn, L Millard, V Fitzpatrick, L Douglas, T Griffith, L Dalgliesh, H Lockhart, S L Walker, G McCord, L Moffat, L Wheeler, L Reid, D Kennedy, S Brown.

Referee: H Dubes (France)