Six Nations: Ireland's Triple Crown hopes in tatters

Ireland turned in a dreadful performance against Scotland that left their Triple Crown hopes in tatters.

An Irish victory, followed by a similar success against Wales, was to set up a grandstand finish to this year's foot-and-mouth interrupted championship against England.

But Ireland haven't won at Murrayfield since 1985 and never looked like they were capable of breaking that hoodoo today.

Both kickers began with two penalty misses before Pountney crashed through poor Irish cover to score the first of Scotland's two first-half tries.

Townsend booted the conversion before passing kicking responsibilities to Paterson, who quickly stretched the home side's lead with a penalty.

As half-time approached the Scots pierced Irish cover again with a Smith touchdown, which Paterson converted, to leave Ireland trailing 17-0 at the interval.

O'Gara finally got some points on the board in the second-half with a penalty (his fourth attempt) but no Irish comeback followed as Leslie added Scotland's third try and he was followed over the line by debut boy Henderson.

Ireland got a late consolation try from full-back Dempsey which Humphreys, on for O'Gara, converted.

Full time: Scotland 32-10 Ireland

Scorers

Scotland

Tries: Pountney, Smith, Leslie, Henderson

Cons: Townsend , Paterson (2)

Pens: Paterson (2)

Ireland

Try: Dempsey

Con: Humphreys

Pen: O'Gara