Scotland beat Ireland 36-10 in the Women’s Six Nations

• Scotland recorded back-to-back Women’s Six Nations victories for the first time in 17 years as they beat Ireland 36-10 on Saturday
• For Ireland, defeat in the final game of the tournament means they finish bottom

Scotland recorded back-to-back Women’s Six Nations victories for the first time in 17 years as they beat Ireland 36-10 on Saturday.

Tries from Meryl Smith, Rachel Malcom, Lana Skeldon, Francesca McGhie, Leah Bartlett and Chloe Rollie earned Scotland a comfortable win and fourth place finish in Six Nations. Scotland are guaranteed a berth in the second tier of the inaugural WXV tournament, which takes place later this year.

Scotland players celebrate. Photo/ RugbyPass.

Speaking after the victory, Scotland head coach Bryan Easson told BBC he was delighted with the performance displayed by his team against Ireland.

“Absolutely delighted. I thought second half they were relentless – they just stuck at it. We said at half time we had a couple of chances but we gave the ball a bit too cheaply. Second half, we said get our attacking positions better, squeeze them and they would break and I was really pleased with that second-half performance. I thought we were a bit more direct in the second half and some excellent finishes.” BBC Sports quotes Bryan Easson.

For Ireland, defeat in the final game of the tournament means they finish bottom. Ireland end their campaign without a single point.

How Scotland Beat Ireland 

Scotland faced Ireland at Edinburgh’s DAM Health Stadium in front of a record crowd of more than 4700. A good start from the visitors saw them earn a penalty in the fourth minute, which Dannah O’Brien kicked over to make it 3-0. Ireland were in control of the match for the 20 minutes; however, they were committing too much errors.

Ireland had the hosts worried when half Mairi McDonald had an attempted box kick charged down by their forwards. Ireland looked like they were going to score a try from a lineout drive several minutes later but Scotland got lucky as their second row got under the ball carrying just before the try line. It ended up being a home scrum.

Scotland exhibited what was arguably their best passage of play in the 35th minute when McDonald almost found a try after breaks from Coreen Grant, Emma Orr and Malcom. Ireland did a good job defensively to prevent McDonald from scoring.

Scotland had the match’s opening try right on the stroke of half-time. They booted a penalty to the corner and Smith went crashing over from the first phase after the maul was halted.

Seven minutes into the new half, Sheldon produced a powerful finish, which was a classic hooker’s try from the back of the line-out drive. Nichola Fryday’s try made it 10-8 before O’Brien’s conversion made things level. From there on, it was all Scotland.

Bartlett’s converted try put Scotland 17-10 up within no time and McGhie’s try made it 22-10. Malcolm extended the lead with six minutes left to play before Nelson converted to ensure Scotland had won the match. Rollie then completed the match with a classy finish.

Scotland beat Ireland 36-10 in Women’s Six Nations. Photo/ Scottish Rugby.