As it happened: Six-try Ireland smash Scots to seal brilliant Triple Crown
SCORCHING SPEED: Robert Baloucoune of Ireland dives over to score his side's third try. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
So, Super Saturday got us off to a bang with one hell of a contest. It'll be over to Wales and Italy in Cardiff next and then the one that will ultimately decide it all — France and England meeting in Saint-Denis tonight. Keep it here at Examiner Sport for reports, reaction and ratings from Lansdowne Road and whatever follows through the afternoon and evening. Here's how the table stands as we turn our eyes to Cardiff...
L'Irlande prend la tête du classement en attendant le Crunch 👀#GreatnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/EH3xDnfryt
— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) March 14, 2026
"It's priceless for us. That's my overriding feeling. It just shows what a strong group we have," says Ireland coach Andy Farrell, who's savouring this day. "That was a hell of a game by the way and a proper performance. I'm massively proud. There's been a bit of adversity thrown at us but the group has got stronger because of it. We're delighted with the campaign."
"Come on England," Farrell smiles. "Listen we've done what we can do today. What will be will be."
James Lowe, Edwin Edogbo and a host of other faces who featured in green across the championship are out there celebrating with teammates. Andy Farrell has found out plenty about squad depth these past few weeks. Not least that Ulster's form men could make one hell of a difference.
Doris accepts the Triple Crown and makes his way over to his teammates to toast a significant piece of silverware as the pyrotechnics ignite behind them. The Scots, who thought they were on the brink of a long-awaited prize, watch on glumly.
Ireland wing Rob Baloucoune is named rising player of the championship. He's been one hell of a positive for Andy Farrell but there have been many. It's striking to recall what the mood was like when Ireland limped away from Paris after the opening weekend. The generational, post-Lions hangover concerns have well and truly been brushed aside as they ran the table from that point on.
"It's a rare day where we're cheering for England," smiles Ireland captain Caelan Doris as he picks up his man of the match medal. "We've done our job, we can sit back now and see what happens."
There's a Triple Crown to be lifted, and we must not forget the prized asset that is the Centenary Quaich. A six-try, 22-point win. Will the Ireland players be returning to the pitch in the darkness later tonight? That will all come down to how England fare in Paris.
Ireland 43 Scotland 21: An exclamation mark on the game, the day and the Championship for Ireland. Fittingly, the final act of the campaign comes from the hands of McCloskey who scoops up a Tuipulotu knock-on and feeds O'Brien to race in to the corner. Crowley adds two more for one hell of a final margin of victory.
A lusty rendition of the Fields rolls around Lansdown as Ireland, with Craig Casey having belatedly joined the fray, count down the seconds now. Not to spoil the mood but we do know we'll be spending our Saturday night cheering for England now, right?
Lansdowne Road explodes as Pearce points his arm to the sky and whistles a penalty that means much more for Ireland. Heroic breakdown work by Beirne and Timoney stopped the Scots for once and for all. Call it a Triple Crown-sealing roar.
Tadhg Beirne almost pilfered another one. But either way, Ireland's defence is slowing things manfully.
Don't tell Scotland it's all over. They look for the instant try they desperately need and a penalty gives them deep position for a maul and some resulting phases. The clock is all on Ireland's side.
In keeping with a very tidy day off the tee for the Munster man, he slots it between the posts, his fifth from six today, and that's pushed the scoreboard out beyond two scores for the Scots.
Ireland are back inside the 22 and trying to put the whole thing to bed for once and for all. Alex Craig is pinged for not rolling away. Penalty Ireland and Crowley points to the posts.
Here's that Darragh Murray barrel-over that sealed the bonus, a hell of a way to mark a Six Nations bow. The scores have kept coming since...
☘️ Le bonus offensif pour l’Irlande avec Darragh Murray pour son premier match dans le Tournoi 👏
— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) March 14, 2026
➡️ Suivez le match en direct sur TF1 📺#GreatnessM6N #Since1883 #IREvSCO pic.twitter.com/8xi9RuQyOC
And it pays out as Scotland's exhausted defence is breached. Bundee Aki, how great to see him back doing his thing, makes great yards. Fellow replacement Ciaran Frawley goes next and Jack Crowley does brilliantly as Tommy O'Brien arrives right on time. Crowley adds the additional two.
Ireland are close to where they want to be — on the edge of the Scotland 22. McCloskey and Beirne are still carrying like maniacs.
Andy Farrell is going to all but empty the bench here. It's been soul-sapping stuff for over an hour so Kelleher, Milne, Bealham, Murray (again), Frawley and Aki are all brought in for the finale. The pride of Irish Lions trudging off absolutely exhausted tells you everything about the contest.
Momentum is a precious thing and just as Ireland look to have wrestled a little back some ferocious breakdown work from the visitors, with Russell in the thick of it too, wins a scrum for Scotland as Gibson-Park is smothered in possession. Sixteen-ish to go and we're on a knife-edge.
: To be fair to the Six Nations marketing crew, their Super Saturday slogan is fitting like a glove so far. What a cracking contest this is. The Scots find their incision as Rory Darge barges over. Tadhg Beirne is bandaged up and back in as the game swings back down Scotland's end. It's breathless!
We've now reverted back to the helter-skelter, end-to-end contest we saw in the opening quarter. It's breathless stuff as Steyn scorches down the left wing and Scotland look to stretch Ireland again. The crowd are getting louder and louder.
Well, well, well. Ireland could indeed get over and it's fairytale stuff as Connacht man Murray, mere minutes after coming in for his Six Nations bow, barges just on to the line to seal a try bonus-point and just as importantly get the two-score lead back for Ireland.
And they found it! Just a fourth visit into the Scottish 22 of the game brings a bonus-point try into view after some great work by Conan, Osbourne and many more. Can Ireland get over?
Ulster's Nick Timoney is in for Josh van der Flier as Ireland look to find momentum again.
With Scotland desperate for a spark it should be no surprise that it's Finn Russell who delivers it. After a plethora of phases and big carries from the forwards, it's the fly half who gets over on the shoulder of Dan Sheehan. Referee Luke Pearce pushes his him a metre wider than Russell wanted with the conversion but he makes no mistake.
Beirne is gone off with a nasty gash to the head which means Connacht's Darragh Murray is in for his Six Nations debut. Scotland are banging at the door right now.
Ireland skipper Caelan Doris is pinged for a high tackle which the officials are happy is "just a penalty". Scotland pass up the chance for three and kick to the corner. They go to the maul and Ireland stop the first flow really well. Scotland get penalty advantage again after referee Luke Pearce deems McCloskey offside.
Just as a few minutes of patient build-up from the Scots got them to the edge of the 22, Tadhg Beirne does Tadhg Beirne things and pilfers Zander Fagerson's pockets with a superb turnover. Still waiting for our first score of the second half but it's been just as absorbing as the first.
First scrum of the second half is solid then smooth for Ireland who whip the ball through the hands until McCloskey comes through the base of the ruck and is pinged. Scotland penalty is pushed into Irish territory.
And after everyone grabbed a much-needed deep breath, we're up and running again. Scotland have proven a hell of a second-half team in this championship. They're going to need to produce more of the same now. Finn Russell is trying to get them moving right away. But Ireland are sturdy.
"Ireland and Farrell will be very happy but it's a very crucial next 15 minutes for them," Shane Horgan says. "Next score for Ireland wins the game for them."
-: Nothing comes of it -- Conan knocks on -- and with the clock in the red, we go in after a hectic half of Six Nations rugby. Phew!
More sloppiness from the Scotland attack gives Ireland the chance to go for it from the scrum one more time this half...
Rob Baloucoune comes off his wing but the ball goes to ground.
Graham absolutely hacks the ball down the field and Kinghorn races with Baloucoune. Nothing comes of it but Ireland in control generally.
Great break, as I type, from McCloskey again, who types pumps his legs under pressure in midfield.
Andrew Trimble says Ireland are defending like a side who have their homework done.
'Really well organised and executing well'.
Finn Russell has the ball knocked out of his hands once more and moments earlier O'Brien got a foot to a Russell chip.
Gregor Townsend has his hands on his head after incredible defence from Ireland.
Scotland tried to rumble over the line in the corner but Tom O'Toole gets over the ball and draws a huge cheer.
Tuipulotu and his team are not happy after a perceived foul in the air but the ref isn't having it.
Rob Baloucoune makes it three tries for Ireland within 20 minutes.
McCloskey flings a great pass outside and the winger strides towards the line and stretches for the line under pressure. Crowley can't convert.
🏉 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 14, 2026
Robert Baloucoune blazes over from 30 metres!
IRELAND 19 SCOTLAND 7#IREvSCO | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/G50dL7ixl2
A break in play with I Love You Baby, pumped in for some reason, as
George Turner is treated for a head injury after a clash with Fagerson, I think.
Scotland will make a HIA sub with Ewan Ashman in.
The visitors pile on the pressure and work over 10 phases in the Irish 22.
Stuart McCloskey -- Ireland's player of the tournament? -- chops the ball out of Finn Russell's hands and Crowley clears.
This is breathless. Dan Sheehan takes the lineout, picks the ball from the base of the maul and darts over the line.
Crowley's conversion is spot on again.
Game on. Scotland strike back with a brilliant try finished by Darcy Graham, who backs up his big talk in midweek.
🏉 SCOTLAND STRIKES!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 14, 2026
Finn Russell’s slick passing frees Graham for the right corner 🔥
IRELAND 7 – 7 SCOTLAND#IREvSCO | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/f8ioXEoVCg
Finn Russells drills the conversion.
A superb start for Ireland as Jamie Osborne gets in under the post after a pass from Jack Crowley.
Ireland had earned a scrum penalty against Fagerson, Crowley kicked to the corner.
Off the set piece, they easily worked the opening.
That's a sixth international try for Osborne and the conversion is straight-forward.
We're up and running in this Triple Crown do-or-die clash.
We're ready to go in D4, strap in.
Before we do, remind yourself of the permutations on what could be a long, dramatic day yet.
Ireland must hope that France do not beat England, as they cannot catch up on points if Les Bleus take the win.
A France-England draw would mean that an Ireland bonus-point win would snatch the championship while they will also win the championship with any win over Scotland and if England beat France.
Simples.
As the president greets the team, it's worth revisiting Ronan O'Gara's column which provided a talking point for the TV panel moments ago.
"What we have at ten right now is simply not good enough for a nation ranked third in the world. I made the point here a few weeks ago around the toxicity of the out half debate between Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast, and the manifestation of that is now very real in all its ugliness. There is a dearth of quality, whoever plays and it’s not hard to see that they’re playing distracted. It is all too caught up in the negativity of whether it’s a blue or a red jersey that wears the green jersey but we now have the sobering reality that the man in possession, who wants to kick on I know, has a serious body of work to do."
Right here, right now.
The teams are on the way out to the sound of Fatboy Slim and plenty of fireworks.
Here are those line-ups:
: Jamie Osborne; Rob Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, Tommy O'Brien; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Tom O'Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Jack Conan, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Michael Milne, Finlay Bealham, Darragh Murray, Nick Timoney, Craig Casey, Ciarán Frawley, Bundee Aki.
: Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Kyle Steyn; Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson; Max Williamson, Grant Gilchrist; Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, D'Arcy Rae, Alex Craig, Magnus Bradbury, George Horne, Kyle Rowe, Tom Jordan.
Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien are in their seats at the Aviva, as always, ahead of this tournament finale.
Listen -- or watch -- their pre-game podcast here and read Simon's preview.
Andy Farrell has been speaking to Virgin nd says Ireland will attack the Scots.
"When it gets to the last day you might as well have a crack at it."
Let's dance.
A crazy Six Nations tournament will come down to a long Super Saturday with the triple crown and championship on the line for Ireland. We'll go minute-by-minute throughout with input from our team of experts.
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