It took Ireland fifteen minutes in the first half to secure their place in the quarter-final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, earning the needed bonus point for scoring four tries. Ireland led 26-00 at the halftime break, however, bulk replacements made by Ireland early in the second half, cost them most of their momentum but they still did enough to win 36-14.
It took Ireland sixty-three seconds to score their first try of the match. A brilliant break by Garry Ringrose resulted in James Lowe scoring in the corner.
Ireland absorbed pressure from Scotland for the first twenty-five minutes of the first half. Once again Ireland cut through the defence of Scotland to send Garry Ringrose away to score in the corner to extend Ireland's lead to 12-00.
The continuous Ireland green wave threatened to wash Scotland's hopes away. Iain Henderson brushed several defenders away on his way to Ireland's third try to extend Ireland's lead to 19-00 with eight minutes still to play in the first half.
Hugo Keenan scored Ireland's fourth and bonus point try with seconds left to play in the first half. Ireland led 26-00 going into the second half.
Ireland continued their dominance in the second half. A try by Dan Sheehan extended Ireland's lead to 31-00 after five minutes of action in the second half.
Bulk changes made by Ireland early in the second half cost them most of their momentum, however, after seventeen minutes of "action", Garry Ringrose scored his second try of the match.
Scotland, to their credit, never gave up. Hooker Ewan Ashman scored Scotland's first try with seventeen minutes left to play in the second half. Minutes later Ali Price scored Scotland's second try to reduce Ireland's lead to 36-14.
No points were scored during the final fifteen minutes of the match. Ireland cruised to a brilliant 36-14 bonus point win against Scotland.
Scorers:
Ireland: Tries: James Lowe, Garry Ringrose (2), Iain Henderson, Hugo Keenan, Dan Sheehan. Conversions: Johnny Sexton (3).
Scotland: Tries: Ewan Ashman, Ali Price. Conversions: Finn Russell (2)
Teams:
Ireland: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 Iain Henderson, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen, 15 Hugo Keenan. Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 James Ryan, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Stuart McCloskey.
Scotland: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 6 Jamie Ritchie (c), 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey, 9 Ali Price, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Darcy Graham, 15 Blair Kinghorn. Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 WP Nel, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Matt Fagerson, 21 Luke Crosbie, 22 George Horne, 23 Ollie Smith.