Rugby: Ireland defeat Scotland

Ireland ran in five tries, including three from man-of-the-match Brian O'Driscoll, to easily defeat Scotland at Lansdowne Road today.

Ireland 43, Scotland 22

Ireland bounced back from the misery of Twickenham and ran in five tries, including a hat-trick for man-of-the-match Brian O'Driscoll, to easily defeat Scotland at Lansdowne Road today.

Playing against the wind, Ireland took the lead with a second minute penalty by out-half David Humphreys but the Scot's soon overturned this with three successful kicks from Brendan Laney.

Ireland reduced the visitor's lead with O'Driscoll's first try on 25 minutes and hit the front 10 minutes later when Shane Horgan touched down after a wonderful passing movement, which was began by Eric Miller and Humphreys got the first of his two conversions.

Nearing half-time, O'Driscoll notched his second score when he gathered the ball in his own 22 and outpaced the Scottish cover. Humphreys landed the conversion and at the interval Ireland led 22-12 after Laney kicked his fourth penalty.

Laney gave Scotland a lift with his fifth successful kick on 43 minutes but Humphreys further punished the visitors with three second-half penalties before Simon Easterby bagged Ireland's fourth try on 66 minutes.

The Scot's finally got their opening try of the game on 72 minutes when Martin Leslie scored and Laney's conversion reduced the home side's lead with the conversion to 14 points but O'Driscoll completed his hat-trick close to full-time, which Ronan O'Gara converted.

Ireland:

Tries: O'Driscoll (3), Horgan, Easterby

Cons: Humphreys (2), O'Gara

Pens: Humphreys (4)

Scotland:

Try: Leslie

Con: Laney

Pens: Laney (5)