Scotland 18-32 Ireland - Six Nations result as reigning champions maintain perfect start at Murrayfield

Ireland make it two wins from two in this year's Six Nations following a 32-18 victory over Scotland.

The reigning champions resumed their quest for an unprecedented third straight title with a bonus-point win at Murrayfield.

Simon Easterby's side broke the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes with Sam Prendergast brilliantly offloading for the unmarked Calvin Nash - in for the injured Mack Hansen - to touch down.

Caelan Doris also went over for the visitors as they established a 17-0 advantage.

Scotland's difficult start saw Duhan van der Merwe sin-binned, while Darcy Graham was stretchered off and Finn Russell forced off after failing a head injury assessment.

Nevertheless, Van der Merwe crossed before the break, while Blair Kinghorn struck two penalties after the restart to reduce the deficit to 17-11.

However, Ireland regained control of proceedings with James Lowe and Jack Conan going over to secure another bonus point, rendering Ben White's late try a consolation for the hosts.

Ireland captain Caelan Doris says the competition for places is "continuously pushing the standard up during the week in training".

"There's definitely a feeling of satisfaction after that," he said. "We spoke about starting fast; we knew Scotland are a very dangerous team - one that's full of belief, and rightly so.

"We got a try in the first 10 minutes, and put quite a bit of pressure on. As expected with them, they came back firing and had a purple patch in the second half early on. But pleasing from us overall.

"I think the competition within the squad is great. It's continuously pushing the standard up during the week in training. It's very competitive.

"When we get out here - whoever's in the starting XV or on the bench - it's fighting for positions, and you need to perform on the day. That's been pleasing over the last couple of weeks."

You can watch every minute of the Gallagher Premiership, as well as selected Premiership Women’s Rugby matches, on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

Sam Prendergast embraced the big occasion with a player-of-the-match performance at Murrayfield.

"It was an unbelievable game and a savage atmosphere. The anthems were pretty special," he said.

"I thought we started unbelievably in the game. We put so much pressure on. We did really well in the second half when they got their purple patch to come back.

"It wasn't perfect from us, but it was better than last week, and we'll keep trying to get better week on week."

With two bonus-point victories and 10 points already on the board, Ireland's quest for an unprecedented third straight Six Nations title remains much on track.

Simon Easterby's side were too strong for Scotland, with the damage done largely in the first half as they established a 17-0 lead.

The hosts managed to reduce the deficit to six points following Van der Merwe's try just before the break, and Kinghorn's penalties upon the restart.

However, it proved a false dawn with Ireland restoring their authority on proceedings, and sealing what was eventually a relatively comfortable 11th straight win in this fixture.

Scotland 18-32 Ireland

The hosts push from the lineout and White neatly weaves between a couple of challenges to get the ball down.

Kinghorn converts to close the gap.

Ireland make a change and it is a landmark moment as Healy comes on.

The veteran prop becomes his country's all-time leading appearance maker in the Six Nations.

With his 66th such cap, he surpasses the great Brian O'Driscoll.

Another beautiful strike from Prendergast goes straight through the posts.

Scotland require three converted tries in the final 10 minutes if they are to avoid defeat here.

The hosts are penalised in the scrum, and Townsend's frustration is evident.

Ireland point to the posts as they look to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

That fourth try secures a second successive bonus point for Ireland, regardless of the result here.

Should this scoreline remain, they will be on 10 points after their opening two games.

Conan scores, but it's all about Gibson-Park!

Retrieving the ball from the ruck, the scrum-half punts into the space in behind the defence, and it bounces kindly into Keenan's grasp.

The full-back is challenge, but Ireland do not relent and Conan powers over.

Prendergast, though, proves he is human with his conversion attempt hitting the post.

The Irish are back in the ascendancy, while restoring their two-score advantage!

Prendergast and Keenan combine to tee up Lowe, who muscles his way over the line.

Once again, Prendergast makes no mistake with his conversion.

The visitors look to regain their authority on proceedings, and Gibson-Park chases his own punt in behind the Scotland defence.

Kinghorn manages to retrieve beyond the try-line, but is forced to the ground, and Ireland have a scrum on the five-metre line.

The hosts continue to apply the pressure, and Ireland are penalised again.

This time, Scotland opt to kick and Kinghorn sends a routine kick whistling between the posts.

Kinghorn leads Scotland's surge down the left, gaining extra yards following a clever dummy.

Ireland eventually get numbers back, but are penalised for a knock-on, and the hosts have a scrum in a decent position.

Ireland are penalised for not moving away from the ruck, and Scotland opt to kick for the posts.

Kinghorn makes no mistake in reducing the hosts' deficit.

Scotland get the ball rolling in the second half, as Kinghorn kicks it high into the Edinburgh sky.

You can watch every minute of the Gallagher Premiership, as well as selected Premiership Women’s Rugby matches, on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

Scotland 5-17 Ireland