A rip-roaring start and a heap of tense, wonderful, hectic moments in between.
Ireland now lead the way in the Six Nations standings after putting the Scots to a broadsword in Murrayfield.
Here is how we rated the men in green.
Rob Kearney – 7
Guilty of hesitating with a Scottish grubber in the lead-up to Finn Russell’s try. Enjoyed himself in open play and was a counter-attacking threat but his defence was, at times, questionable.
Tommy Bowe – 8
Made one nice break and offload in the first half but a second attempt was snapped up by Stuart Hogg. Guilty, like many of his team-mates, of getting ahead of himself when the scores were flowing. Decent under the high ball. Stunning break and Hail Mary offload up the right wing.
Jared Payne – 9
Crashed through the Scottish centres to score a crucial second half try, his first for Ireland. Fortunate to get away with a caution after colliding with Scotland’s Ashe in the air.
Robbie Henshaw – 8
Absolutely butchered a two-on-one after only two minutes when he opted not to pass to Fitzgerald in support. Linked up will with the Leinster winger thereafter. Got his hands on the ball all day.
Luke Fitzgerald – 7
Should have scored an early try but Henshaw never passed. Offloads and grubbers should his attacking will. Great defensive tackle on a flying Tim Visser.
Johnny Sexton – 8
His first conversion had every Irish heart in every Irish mouth but it squeaked over. Targeted by Scottish flankers, like the Welsh did last week, but stood up to most charges. Well timed pass for Payne’s try. His kicking radar fell off badly in the second-half as Ireland threatened to bypass Wales’ total. Third time lucky edged Ireland in front.
Conor Murray – 9
A passing conduit for his backline and free-running loosies. Passed 39 times from 42 possessions and kicked the rest. His job was to get his team moving forward and, more the most part, he achieved it. Smart tactical kicking as Ireland teased with their slender points difference lead.
Cian Healy – 8
As good as Jack McGrath played in his four starts, Healy’s strike-running was vital to puncture the Scottish lines. Won a 32nd minute penalty for his team that Sexton converted.
Rory Best – 7
His lineout throwing was much improved and he contributed some important turnovers in the first-half. Conceded a penalty for not rolling away.
Mike Ross – 6
Made more tackles in open play, in the first 30 minutes, than he had for the entire championship. So it seemed. Conceded on scrum penalty in the first half. Off early with an elbow injury.
Devin Toner – 6
Big defensive hit outside the Scottish 22 halted a counter-attack that could have cost seven points. A lineout beacon. Fell off a couple of tackles.
Paul O’Connell – 8
What a start, delivered by the captain. Powered over for a nerve-settling try and made gains all afternoon with ball in hand.
Peter O’Mahony – 8
While Heaslip and O’Brien offered themselves up for more carries, O’Mahony settled on a defensive brief and tackled every Scot he saw. A superb aerial take and line break roused the entire Irish team.
Sean O’Brien – 9
Involved in the line-out [lifting] that led to his try. Beat two Scots to dive over and made another superb break soon after. Made ground all day, leaving Scots in his wake, and dived over for a second try.
Jamie Heaslip – 8
Conceded a couple of penalties at Scottish rucks. Quiet in the first half, with a couple of missed tackles. Improved after the break, getting his team on the front foot. SUPERB last-ditch tackle on Hogg gets him two extra points.
Replacements
Marty Moore
[On for Ross ’46] Won his first scrum on the pitch.
Iain Henderson
[On for Toner ’61] Strong carries and defensive hits.
Sean Cronin
[On for Best ’64] A perfect man – full of energy – to test the tiring Scottish defence.
Jordi Murphy & Ian Madigan
Not on long enough to rate.
More replacement ratings to follow.
