JUST ONE MURR STEP

Victory in Edinburgh means a Grand Slam shot against England this weekend

- MICHAEL SCULLY

THE Grand Slam is now just one win away for Ireland after they survived and thrived in the madness of Murrayfield.

Yet again Andy Farrell's side overcame real adversity in this campaign to come through with the victory. It sets up a shot at glory against England at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

But Farrell will have to delve deep into his squad once more as he lost four forwards to injury - the first three by the 25th minute, the fourth 10 minutes after half-time- including both his hookers.

Typically of this team, it remained business as usual in front of the 67,144 crowd - the majority of whom had come to see their team claim a first Triple Crown since 1990 and a first win over Ireland in eight attempts.

After Dan Sheehan and then Ronan Kelleher were forced off, Cian Healy came into the middle of the front row with no fuss and Josh van der Flier stepped in as the lineout thrower.

Possession was lost on only two of the flanker's five throws and Healy claimed an important scrum penalty.

The visitors also lost Garry Ringrose with seven minutes left when the centre's head collided with a hip.

Thankfully, he was conscious and talking when he left the pitch on a medical cart.