Ireland won their second World Cup warm-up game with a 28-22 victory over a fresh looking Scotland this evening.
The game started slowly with both teams making a number of handling errors, before some patient build up play saw Chris Henry, making his first start in an Ireland shirt, trundle over.
Ian Madigan added the conversion as Ireland looked to put the pressure on Scotland, especially at the scrum and in the contact area. Scotland hit back though after some good hands from David Denton and Richie Vernon found Blair Cowan on the wing to touch down unopposed.
Peter Horne converted as Cowan's try looked like the catalyst that Scotland needed. They started to play with some speed and flair, looking to offload at every opportunity, with Denton, Cowan and Grant Gilchrist carrying well.
Scotland started the second half as they finished the first and a solid lineout allowed the forwards to go through the phases and captain Henry Pyrgos nipped in to score.
Horne missed the conversion as Ryan Grant had to be helped off the pitch after injuring himself in the build up to Pyrgos' try, before fellow prop Jon Welsh also had to be replaced by debutant Mike Cusack after suffering a head injury.
A good Henry break got Ireland in a good position and Sean Cronin eventually crossed the line after a strong lineout maul. Madigan again converted before Horne hit back with a penalty.
Ireland got back in front after Dave Kearney, who had just come on as a substitute, ran a striking line before offloading to Simon Zebo who strolled over. Madigan converted before Scotland hit back after Sean Lamont counter-attacked a weak Irish defence before offloading to Horne who scored.
Ruaridh Jackson took over the kicking duties and converted, before a superb Madigan cross kick was plucked out the air by Luke Fitzgerald to go over untouched and give Ireland the lead once again.
Both teams flooded the match with their substitutes and the game inevitably bogged down, with neither team making much headway for the rest of the match.
Ireland's next match is at home to Wales on August 29, while Scotland travel to Italy on August 22.
Calum Gillon
