Scotland's hopes of winning the Six Nations title for the first time were dashed as table-toppers Ireland proved too strong at Murrayfield during a 22-7 win.
Scots centre Huw Jones got the first try of the day, but the visitors hit back before half-time then dominated the second 40. Gregor Townsend’s side would have lifted the Triple Crown if they had won, as well as staying in contention for the Championship with just one round of games to go. Instead, it is Ireland who take the Crown and are now just 80 minutes away from claiming the title too.
A fiercely-fought first half saw Richie Gray go off injured after just seven minutes - and three Irishmen followed him before half an hour had been played. The visitors thought they had opened the scoring when they won a Scotland lineout and Dan Sheehan touched down. But the ref ruled that Scotland had thrown in with the long ball, so the score was chalked off.
Ireland opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a penalty from captain Johnny Sexton. But Scotland hit back when Huw Jones touched down from a pass by Glasgow team-mate Sione Tuipulotu. Finn Russell’s conversion made it 7-3.
A Mack Hansen try in the right corner put the Irish back in front - replays showed the winger just touched down before being tackled into touch by Duhan van der Merwe. Sexton missed the conversion. Scotland had chances to regain the lead late in the half, but the Irish defence kept them out to hold on to an 8-7 advantage at the break.
Ireland still had the upper hand in the early stages of the second half, but they were not able to make the pressure count. Scotland came back into the match more as the hour mark approached - but their attacks, too, were snuffed out before they could get close to the try line.
Then Scotland were too slow to get to a high ball. Hansen got there all right, starting an attack that ended with left winger James Lowe touching down in the left corner. Sexton converted to make it 15-7.
Five minutes later, Jack Conan got Ireland’s third try. Hansen played a vital role in the scoring move by coming off his wing, and back-row forward Conan held off Van der Merwe on his way over the line. Sexton added the two points again to make it 7-22, and with quarter of an hour left the game was all but over. Record Sport takes a look at three talking points.
Triple Crown dream dies
This was the first time since the Grand Slam year of 1990 that Scotland went into a match with the chance of winning the Triple Crown. And it would have been the first time they had ever beaten the team ranked No 1 in the world.
But while they have improved this season - winning their first two games for the first time in the Six Nations - they are still short of putting in the complete performance needed to win at the highest level.
Slam still on for Ireland
Ireland are now just one match away from their first Grand Slam since 2018, which is also the last year to date that they won the Championship. They will complete the Slam if they beat England in Dublin on Saturday - and they could still lift the title even if they lose that game. Andy Farrell’s team are four points ahead of France at the top of the table.
Ton up for Hoggy
Stuart Hogg may not have got the victory he wanted to celebrate his 100th cap, but it was still a landmark to remember for the full-back from Hawick. Only three men - Sean Lamont, Chris Paterson and Ross Ford - have played more often for Scotland. Hogg is on course to overtake Ford’s record of 110 at some point next year, and as he is still only 30 he looks set to end up closer to 150 caps.
