Hickie relieved after Murrayfield win

Man of the match Dennis Hickie admitted Ireland were relieved to overcome Scotland and clinch the Triple Crown after a gruelling encounter.

The RBS 6 Nations Championship match at Murrayfield saw Ireland haul themselves back from 18-13 down to win 19-18.

Ronan O’Gara claimed all Ireland’s points, with a try, a conversion and four penalties, with Chris Paterson replying with six penalties.

Hickie told BBC1: “It was a bizarre kind of game for us, a very tough game.”

Scotland were coming into the match on the back of a shock defeat to Italy, but Hickie said: “We knew Scotland were going to come out a very different side. What happened (against Italy) wasn’t a very true reflection of where they are.

“We weren’t very disciplined today. We missed a few chances, myself included. We’re happy to get out of here with a win, especially when we were behind with 15 minutes to go.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have won the Triple Crown. It’s great to come up here and win.”

For Ireland it was a third Triple Crown in four years.

“It’s great – I’ve never won it,” said Hickie. “I wasn’t playing in the other two. I’m pretty happy to be involved in this one.

“We haven’t got so far ahead of ourselves that the Triple Crown all of a sudden doesn’t mean anything to us. We’re delighted.”