Ireland have beaten Scotland 7-22 in a tough Six Nations encounter with Scotland at Murrayfield, which saw a number of injuries for Ireland, forcing Cian Healy and Josh van der Flier into unfamiliar roles.
It was a first half filled with defensive lapses and missed chances from both sides, mixed in with phases of attacking brilliance, with Ireland narrowly coming out on the right side of an 7-8 scoreline at the end of the first 40.
Ireland thought they had taken the lead when Dan Sheehan went over after a line out blunder, before play was called back after a new ball was used for the quick throw.
Scotland were making yards with ease and got the first try of the game, before a sensational finish from Mack Hansen in the corner to add to Sexton's earlier penalty.
Ireland vs Scotland - Cian Healy And Josh van der Flier Show Great Character
Josh Van der Flier nouveau lanceur en touche côté irlandais ☘️
#SixNations | #SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/T6JWpsnJu3— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) March 12, 2023
Jack Conan gets over and Ireland are now in full control
📺 https://t.co/ppdfuAyEpa…
💻 https://t.co/KxwCwKaIv8…
📻 https://t.co/mrC9xR2nhx #RTErugby #SixNations pic.twitter.com/LeLR4lGuXp— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 12, 2023
James Lowe extends the Irish lead in Scotland!
📺 https://t.co/ppdfuAyEpa…
💻 https://t.co/KxwCwKaIv8…
📻 https://t.co/mrC9xR2nhx #RTErugby #SixNations pic.twitter.com/kUtaMwpVkg— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) March 12, 2023
I'm told by @lukefitz11 he played there at schools level, which wasn't today nor yesterday but it'll help https://t.co/Ps5J8Ym8V2
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) March 12, 2023
Josh van der Flier is now 5/6 with his lineouts. Makeshift hooker Cian Healy is 1 penalty win in his 1 scrum. This is remarkable
— Rúaidhrí O'Connor (@RuaidhriOC) March 12, 2023
Ireland score a try that originates from a scrum penalty with Cian Healy playing hooker.
Josh van der Flier then throws into the subsequent lineout.
Remarkable stuff.— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) March 12, 2023
READ HERE: Cheeky Johnny Sexton Comment To Luke Pearce Caught On Ref Mic During Scotland Game
In what was a bruising affair, a number of key Irish were forced off through injury.
Caelan Doris, Iain Henderson, and Dan Sheehan were all went off in the first half, with Jack Conan, Ryan Baird, and Rónan Kelleher coming off the bench.
Kelleher was soon in trouble, however, and was clearly struggling with a shoulder injury.
Cian Healy was seen practicing his lineout throwing at half-time, with Josh van der Flier taking over the throwing duties after the break while Kelleher was still on the pitch.
Kelleher was then forced off early in the second half, with Cian Healy coming on at hooker.
There were questions as to whether Ireland would opt for uncontested scrums (and play with 14 men), but they decided against it despite the fact that Healy had never played in the position for Ireland or Leinster.
Both players showed incredible character in their unorthodox positions, with Ireland winning a number of lineouts courtesy of van der Flier's throwing, while also winning two scrum penalties with Healy at two.
It gave Ireland a platform to put Scotland under pressure, and they pulled away with tries from James Lowe and Jack Conan.
SEE ALSO: The Shell-Shocked English Media Reaction To England's Humiliating Defeat To France
