Scotland upset Irish in Six Nations opener

AFP: Two late penalties in the last eight minutes by Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw gave his side a thrilling 27-22 Six Nations opening win against Ireland on Saturday.

The Scots stunned the pre-Championship favourites with three tries in the opening 28 minutes – two by dazzling full-back Stuart Hogg and by centre Alex Dunbar’s ingenious intervention in a line-out – but then saw their 21-5 lead disappear.

Winger Keith Earls had already scored one try for Ireland and two more in the second half – by lock Iain Henderson and fly-half Paddy Jackson – put Ireland ahead 22-21. With the momentum against them, though, the Scots dug deep and Gloucester scrum-half Laidlaw nailed the two late penalties that secured their first opening round win since 2006.

For Ireland, November conquerors of the All Blacks, the only consolation was the first losing bonus point in the history of the championship.

Scotland looked sharp from the off and might have broken through after four minutes had fly-half Finn Russell been able to find Huw Jones as the centre looked to finish a threatening counter attack.

Scotland’s scrum-half Greig Laidlaw (C) holds the cup and poses with teammates after winning the Six Nations international rugby union match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland on February 4, 2017. Two late penalties in the last eight minutes by Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw gave his side a thrilling 27-22 Six Nations opening win against Ireland on Saturday – AFP

It proved to be a temporary reprieve for Ireland.  Scotland had them stretched in defence in the eighth minute and from quick ruck possession Russell shipped a bouncing pass out wide to the right for Hogg to score.

It was the Glasgow full-back’s eighth try in the Six Nations, taking him ahead of Chris Paterson as Scotland’s top scorer since the Championship expanded from five nations to six in 2000. 

Hogg also became the first Scottish player to score in three successive matches in the Championship since Gregor Townsend achieved the feat when Scotland won the last Five Nations crown in 1999.