Sunday, March 15, 2009
Ireland beat Scotland, keeping Grand Slam hopes alive
A powerful Scottish effort gave the home side a 12-9 advantage at the break after fullback Chris Paterson outkicked Irish flyhalf Ronan O'Gara by four penalties to three.
Ireland's recalled scrumhalf Peter Stringer sent replacement number eight Jamie Heaslip away for his second try of the campaign and O'Gara followed up his conversion with a drop goal. He traded penalties with Paterson before the visitors saw the game out.
Ireland faces defending champions Wales in Cardiff next week with a two-point lead on top of the standings and a much greater points-difference advantage as it hopes to at least end its long championship drought.
Time: 03:50
Credit: Reuters
Posted at 10:29 pm | 14 comments
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Viewing 14 comments
Anonymous March 16, 2009 12:29 am
Think the slam is Irelands but a win over Wales wont be easy
Matt March 16, 2009 1:12 am
cant wait for the 6 nations show down!im gonna say wales for the triple crown. and ireland for the championship.thank god this years been consisten for wales with wins:)not like the 2005 grand slam.
Bazza March 16, 2009 7:30 am
So close!So Frustrating!Just seems to be the same old story for Scotland, close- but not close enough.Good play by ireland hope you get the slam you deserve it. :)
JJM March 16, 2009 10:46 am
I don't see wales beating us by more than 13 points to take the championship. I think the game will be VERY close but Ireland will come through. Seems to be huge self belief in the squad at the moment, and they're back it up with results. Either way I think we will have quite a game!!
Kenny March 16, 2009 11:06 am
I think that Pressure on Wales will tell and that they will have a bad first hlf when they try to force the game to much and Ireland will see out the second half and win by 3/6 points with no tries scored by either team.I expect most of the game to be played in Wales half of the pitch.Hook to be brought on for jones by half time as Gatland gets nervous,and Wales fall apart.
Eoghan March 16, 2009 11:17 am
Credible win by Ireland & a decent performance by Scotland - could all have been very different barring O'Driscoll's tackle before half time.Hard to call Ireland v Wales...no more than a score in it from what I can see. Ireland with more to play for, but Wales at home and fancying themselves to score tries...squeaky bum time. Bar Ireland v France Ireland seem to have lapsed back into the slow-start mode of a couple of seasons ago which they can not do against the Welsh backline. If they come out firing I fancy the Irish pack to bully the Welsh around the park a bit and that might be enough, if o'gara kicks his goals and the Defence is as good as it has been to now. Come on Ireland !
James March 16, 2009 1:55 pm
I have said Ireland for the Grand Slam after watching them beat France in the first game!!Scotland were so unlucky but credit to Ireland they played well!!I think it would of been a different story if scotland had scored just before half time!!
TheRealSlimShady March 16, 2009 2:36 pm
Wasnt the best first half for Ireland but second was good and played mostly in scotland's half. I think we will get the Grand Slam but it wont be easy as wales at home are formiddable. But Ireland hav the quality to beat them.EIRE FOR THE SLAM
Anonymous March 16, 2009 6:13 pm
if wales frustrate o'gara like in 2005 then they should win.The home advantage should be enough for wales to squeeze a narrow win but its gonna be an epic game!!
Shane March 16, 2009 6:17 pm
Despite stringers good break I don't think he deserves to start against wales. Tomas o leary offers so much more than strings, and i have a terrible feeling that should stringer start he will have a howler. Should be a great game between 2 quality teams though
Anonymous March 16, 2009 6:47 pm
I said this before but I just think it's stupid that Wales needs a 13-point victory. Winning should be enough
Anonymous March 16, 2009 6:59 pm
Not convincing eh? Scotland played out of their skin in the first half but weren't in anyway threatening in the second.Ireland & Munster have a good record in Cardiff. It'll be a 50/50 game I reckon.
Anonymous March 16, 2009 7:03 pm
I think Stringer should take the first 55 - 60 minutes against Wales ... He lacks the physicality and I don't trust his kicking but his defending and physicality outshines Stringer.I say Stringer because he delivers far superior ball which unleashes the backs a lot better.
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