Today's St Patrick's Day celebrations can continue untarnished, but it was a close run thing. The Scots produced an extraordinary 80-minute defensive effort nearly 240 tackles and a brilliant late try from Huw Jones raised the prospect of a pick-pocket win which would have put a dampener on the party spirit.
Ireland though stood firm and played out the last two minutes to get the party started, a poignant time for their skipper Peter O'Mahony and veteran replacement scrum-half Conor Murray who many expect to step down this summer while attack coach Mike Catt is moving on, and what a superb job the Englishman has done..
The Irish 'deserve' the Championship for the excellence of their opening day win over France in Marseille alone but they have had to dig deep over the last eight days, first in that narrow defeat at Twickenham and then again last night squeezing past the Scots. Perhaps they are not so far ahead of everybody else in Europe as some claimed.
Scotland, much chastened at again coughing up a big lead in Rome last week, started as they intended to continue in the first half when they combined resolute disciplined defence with fast and loose attack.
Clearly the Scots had been working hard in training because their line speed and physicality in defence was unrecognisable from last week when they started leaking points against the Italians.
It was the right approach against an Ireland team that were jolted a little by their defeat at Twickenham while also looking a little burdened by the expectation of them bringing home a second consecutive title against opponents they are habitually expected to beat. Prior to kick off the Irish had won 13 of the last 14 fixtures including nine on the trot. Scotland are their banker in the Championship.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Gallagher's late brace proves key for Caldy
CALDY built upon recent improved performances against London Scottish and Ealing to record a bonus point win against fourth placed Nottingham in a thrilling battle at Paton Field.
Leicester gunning to take down a legend
MICHAEL Cheika is aiming to take down a French icon as his Tigers attempt their Champions Cup mission impossible in Toulouse today and upset his children in the process.
Charnock the class has to end Havant resistance
A MUCH improved second-half performance saw Westevencombe Park tually overcome a spirited Havant side who looked like providing an upset for much of the game.
Quins turn on style to rip Sharks apart
A STORMING second-half mance saw perforQuins romp to a seven-try victory on the road.
Williams is poised to shift up a gear
TEDDY Williams will be looking to put his international disappointments behind him now his remarkable shift this season has been rewarded with a Wales call-up.
Mitchell back to his best and ready for battle
ALEX Mitchell is now eight games into his injury-delayed season and feeling full of energy for the Six Nations campaign ahead of him.
Borthwick: It's time to put our foot down
STEVE Borthwick insists he has come up with a solution to problem England's in closing out matches be even quicker out of the blocks in the upcoming Six Nations.
Watson: I had to quit, I was in so much pain
AS Anthony Watson trudged off five minutes into the second-half in Leicester's match at Sale in December, he knew deep down that his career was over.
Seabrook hat-trick as Saints edge a thriller
A STIRRING contest ended in Saints scrambling heroically to gain a last 16 home tie and gallant Munster facing a knockout tie on the road.
Barritt backing the new boys
BRAD Barritt won the Champions Cup three times with Saracens and believes the club are on course to be a powerhouse in the competition again.