Ireland recover to trounce Scots

Scotland 13 Ireland 40

Ireland bounced back from a shaky start to beat Scotland 40-13 at Murrayfield to return to the top of the Six Nations table.

Hugo Southwell’s try capped a fine beginning to the game for Matt Williams’ men but Ireland came storming back with a try from Malcolm O’Kelly.

O’Kelly’s second-row partner Paul O’Connell then crossed just before the break as Eddie O’Sullivan’s side took command in Edinburgh.

In the second half a try from Denis Hickie, with a Ronan O'Gara penalty and conversion, stretched Ireland's lead.

Scotland replied through a Gordon Petrie try but Ireland scored two more tries: a rare John Hayes try and a Gavin Duffy try in only his second international.

"Five tries is a good return," Eddie O'Sullivan said afterwards. "The lads showed a lot of composure and we fought our way back into the game."

He saved special praise for man-of-the-match Malcolm O'Kelly, who clocked up his 70th Irish cap. "He's getting better and better with every game," he said.