Ireland clinch Triple Crown but fall agonisingly short in Six Nations title bid

By Edward Elliot, Press Association, Dublin

Ireland claimed a fourth Triple Crown in five years with a gripping 43-21 bonus-point win over Scotland in Dublin before being denied the Guinness Six Nations title by France in agonising fashion.

Andy Farrell’s side continued their remarkable decade-long dominance over the Scots with a 12th consecutive victory in the fixture to temporarily move top of the championship table.

But Ireland’s dreams of reclaiming the ultimate prize – and igniting a St Patrick’s weekend party – were dashed after defending champions France defeated England 48-46 with the last kick of the tournament in the final match of “Super Saturday” to push them into second spot.

Scotland, meanwhile, finished third in the standings, having fallen short in their quest for a first Triple Crown since 1990 and a maiden Six Nations title.

Ireland full-back Jamie Osborne and Scotland wing Darcy Graham each claimed their fourth tries of the tournament during a frenetic start at a sold-out Aviva Stadium before scores from Dan Sheehan and Robert Baloucoune helped the hosts into a 19-7 half-time lead.

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell and co-captain Rory Darge crossed in the second period, either side of a finish from Ireland replacement Darragh Murray, but hope of a famous comeback was extinguished by Tommy O’Brien’s late double and a Jack Crowley penalty.

Scotland crossed the Irish Sea brimming with belief after setting up the three-way title tussle with last weekend’s stunning 50-40 win over France.

They fell behind inside three minutes when Osborne dotted down under the posts to score for the fourth successive match before swiftly hitting back when Blair Kinghorn sent Graham over in the right corner.

Hooker Sheehan finished a lineout maul to restore the hosts’ advantage in the 11th minute as the breathless beginning continued.

Ireland were winning the set-piece battle and duly increased their lead when quick ball from a scrum on the left touchline culminated in jet-heeled Baloucoune darting to the right corner and bravely stretching for the line under pressure from Graham.

Following the free-scoring opening 20 minutes, the remainder of the first half was a scrappy, chaotic affair, with persistent errors stifling the rhythm of both sides.

Scotland returned to the field trailing by 12 points and requiring a colossal effort to end the day with silverware.

Russell, who was subdued for large spells of the opening period, breathed new life back into the contest by sneaking over the line in the 52nd minute and then converting to reward persistent Scottish pressure.

Momentum quickly swung back the other way, with Connacht lock Murray marking his Six Nations debut by bulldozing over to secure Ireland’s bonus point, with Crowley landing the third of his five successful conversions.

Scotland moved back to within five points when Russell added the extras after quick hands from Grant Gilchrist teed up Darge to charge over.

Ireland head coach Farrell made six changes simultaneously with 15 minutes remaining, including bringing on centre Bundee Aki for his first outing of the tournament following suspension.

The switches paid dividends as wing O’Brien raced clear on to Ciaran Frawley’s pass to score before Crowley slotted a penalty as part of his 13-point haul to give the home team breathing space.

With the ‘Fields of Athenry’ ringing around the ground, the majority of the capacity crowd were delighted further in the final minute when O’Brien burst away down the left to cap a fine Ireland display and inflict more pain on Scotland.