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Ireland smother Scotland as Grand Slam train steams towards Twickenham
Ireland’s Grand Slam dream remains firmly on track after they downed Scotland in a muscular display at the Aviva Stadium.
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Scotland were the first to strike with an early Greig Laidlaw penalty but Ireland struck back with a 21st minute intercept try from in form winger Jacob Stockdale.
Stockdale would cross the whitewash just before halftime after a wraparound move from Garry Ringrose put the hulking winger in the corner for his 10th try in just his eighth Test.
A poor pass from Scottish centre Huw Jones to fullback Stuart Hogg with the line at his mercy saved Ireland’s blushes, and they went into halftime leading 14 – 3.
Ireland were first to score in the second half as Conor Murray was driven over in the 45th minute.
? Jonathan Sexton certainly enjoyed Conor Murray's try! ??#NatWest6Nations | #IREvSCO pic.twitter.com/F7Ui1n01JZ
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 10, 2018
Scotland hit back with a Blair Kinghorn try in the 51st minute after a well-worked move off a scrum, but Scotland were unable to reel in a dominant Irish team who had the lion’s share of territory and possession.
A 68th minute try from substitute hooker Sean Cronin sealed a crucial bonus point which puts pressure on England to do the same in Paris if they want a chance of lifting the Six Nations Championship in London next weekend.
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4? from 4?!@IrishRugby are heading to Twickenham for a tilt at a Grand Slam in Round 5?!
All the reaction to #IREvSCO: https://t.co/VE3F2xyYMW#NatWest6Nations pic.twitter.com/WU4Ndp1zfg
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 10, 2018
