Ireland 28-6 Scotland

Ireland recovered from a nervous first-half display to run out comfortable winners against a disappointing Scotland side in the Six Nations clash. With Paul O'Connell a late withdrawal for the Irish, Scotland bossed early possession but Andrew Trimble's try put the home side 11-3 ahead at the break. Greig Laidlaw's second penalty gave the Scots hope but Jamie Heaslip's try left Ireland in firm control. As the Irish attack improved, Rob Kearney notched a third home touchdown.cotland's early dominance of possession against a hesitant Irish side suggested an upset could be on the cards, but the visiting attack had little penetration as the home side ran out comfortable winners. Ahead of his first Six Nations match since taking charge, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt looked to have been dealt a major blow when captain O'Connell was ruled out after a chest infection worsened overnight. With Ulster lock Dan Tuohy replacing O'Connell, there were particular questions about how the skipper's absence would impact on an Irish pack already missing injured Lions star Sean O'Brien. However, the Irish back row trio of Heaslip, Chris Henry and Peter O'Mahony produced impressive displays as the Scots faded badly in the second half. The home side still had talisman Brian O'Driscoll on the field, the centre earning an Irish record 129th cap. With Heaslip assuming the Irish captaincy, early Scotland pressure yielded a fifth-minute penalty but Laidlaw's effort from 45 metres struck an upright.