Ireland 36-14 Scotland: Hugo Keenan stars as Irish set up Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash with New Zealand

Ireland produced some scintillating rugby to hammer Scotland and set up a quarter-final meeting with the All Blacks in a week’s time.

Both team’s World Cup destiny was in their own hands at the start of a much-anticipated meeting between nations ranked first and fifth in the world.

But it was Ireland who struck first, with James Lowe crossing the line with just 65 seconds on the clock.

And, despite extended spells of Scottish pressure deep inside Irish territory, there was no return of score before Ireland crossed the line again through Hugo Keenan.

Ireland’s relentless brilliance saw them pick up the try-scoring bonus point before half-time, and the punishment kept coming after the interval as Scotland were blown away by an Irish performance befitting of that World Number One ranking.

Scotland did run in some late tries to avoid the nil and restore some pride, but the game had gone before Finn Russell’s side had been able to convert their possession into points.

The big matches will come thick and fast, but on this evidence Ireland are ready to take on anyone in this competition, even the ominously in-form New Zealand next up.

There were spells during the match where Ireland looked under severe pressure from a Scotland team who came into the game looking to score tries. Three times early on Russell opted against kicking for the posts in favour of going for the corner, and each time Ireland denied them a return on that gamble.

It was that sort of defensive solidity that is why Ireland are just so tough to beat, and when the contest was on at the breakdown it was Ireland who repeatedly got the upper hand.

There were even some glimpses of play moves we’ve not seen before from this Irish group, which suggests they’ve got things up their sleeve for the knockout stage.

Ireland’s scrum-half was outstanding in the first half and showed his versatility when filling in on the wing to cover for injuries in the second half.

His ability to provide quick ball and sniping runs around the breakdown is key to Ireland ticking.

Speaking after the match he said: “I’m pretty lucky aren’t I? The hard work gets done in front of me and I am just thankful to have such a great pack and such a great backline really.”

Ireland: Hugo Keenan 8 ; Mack Hansen 7, Garry Ringrose 9, Bundee Aki 9, James Lowe 8; Johnny Sexton (captain) 8, Jamison Gibson-Park 9; Andrew Porter 9, Dan Sheehan 9, Tadhg Furlong 8; Tadhg Beirne 8, Iain Henderson 8; Peter O’Mahony 8, Josh van der Flier 8, Caelan Doris 8

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher 7, Dave Kilcoyne 7, Finlay Bealham 7, James Ryan 7, Jack Conan 8, Conor Murray 7, Jack Crowley 8, Stuart McCloskey 7

Scotland: Blair Kinghorn 5; Darcy Graham 6, Huw Jones 7, Sione Tuipulotu 6, Duhan van der Merwe 6; Finn Russell 7, Ali Price 7; Pierre Schoeman 6, George Turner 6, Zander Fagerson 6; Richie Gray 6, Grant Gilchrist 6; Jamie Ritchie (captain) 5, Rory Darge 6, Jack Dempsey 6

Replacements: Ewan Ashman 6, Rory Sutherland 7, WP Nel 6, Scott Cummings 6, Matt Fagerson 6, Luke Crosbie 6, George Horne 6, Ollie Smith 5

TRY! IRELAND 5-0 SCOTLAND

WOW, WOW, WOW! Ireland explode right at the start of this match, breaking the line and working the ball through the hands to send James Lowe over in the corner. It was Gary Ringrose whose moment of magic carved open the Scottish defence, and the noise has gone up another notch further inside the ground.

TRY! IRELAND 10-0 SCOTLAND

So clinical from Ireland. They’ve been under the cosh for much of this game so far, but click into gear with the ball in hand, make some space on the overlap thanks to beautiful work from the two centres, and Keenan crosses for a second Ireland try.

TRY! IRELAND 17-0 SCOTLAND

Ireland score again, and it’s Henderson who drives off after a string of patient phases on the Scotland line. The Scots have played well but Ireland are showing just why they are the top-ranked team in the world.

TRY! IRELAND 24-0 SCOTLAND

Ireland think they’re over again and it’s Keenan with it, sliding over the line for his second of the match and Ireland’s fourth of the match, securing a bonus point within the first half of the game. Terrific rugby.

Smith goes to the bin for a trip that the officials say started everything, which is true of sorts, but I’m sure the Scots will have some thoughts.

TRY! IRELAND 31-0 SCOTLAND

Ireland take advantage of the extra man, stretch the play, and Sheehan crosses in the corner.

TRY! IRELAND 36-0 SCOTLAND

An exquisite Crowley crossfield kick finds Ringrose in space and he picks the ball out of the air and touches down to add yet more gloss to this dominant scoreline.

TRY! IRELAND 36-5 SCOTLAND

Something for Scotland fans to cheer as Ashman breaks through a tackle out wide and bursts towards the line to get some points on the board for the boys in blue.

TRY! IRELAND 36-14 SCOTLAND

It’s another quickfire try for Scotland as a fizzing move sees the Irish defensive line carved open by Jones and Price finishes it off under the posts. Russell adds the conversion.

• Ireland have never led a World Cup match against tier one nation at half-time by as many points as they did in this match (26).
• Scotland have now lost nine straight matches against Ireland.