Ireland Defend Six Nations Title

Ireland have won the RBS Six Nations trophy after a 40-10 win over Scotland put them top of the table.

Earlier in the day Wales dismantled Italy 61-20, which gave Ireland the task of needing to beat Scotland by at least 21 points in order to top the table with only the England-France game remaining.

Tries from Paul O’Connell, Jared Payne and two from man-of-the-match Sean O’Brien gave Ireland a 30-point win, which meant they ended the game at the summit of the Six Nations table.

England came close to closing the gap as they beat France 55-35 at Twickenham in the final fixture of the day, but it was not enough to overhaul Ireland's lead, meaning the trophy will be displayed in Dublin for another year at least.

Ireland could not have orchestrated a better start to the game. Within four minutes captain Paul O’Connell took the ball from the base of a ruck and crashed over for the opening score which Johnny Sexton duly converted.

What followed was a period of Irish dominance which resulted in Scotland infringing, and Sexton stepped up to make it 10-0.

Greig Laidlaw drew back with a penalty but an Irish lineout ended with Sean O’Brien galloping clear to extend the Irish lead. His effort was matched by Finn Russell, which made for a 20-10 scoreline at half time.

The second half produced plenty of drama. Four minutes into the second period Sexton extended Ireland’s lead to 13 points. Ireland held onto the ball well during the period that followed, but seemed unable to punish the Scottish defence.

A lineout was then set up close to the Scottish line and a driving maul resulted. Ireland spread the ball well and a deft switch pass to Jared Payne meant the outside centre was able to cross right under the poles, giving Sexton a regulation kick to make it a 20-point lead.

Sexton then had an opportunity to extend the lead, and top the table, with a kick at goal, but by his own high standards he missed the effort badly; the ball crashing back off the right-hand upright.

Minutes later he was given another chance to further his team’s title hopes but this time missed it wide to the right.

It seemed like a nervy time for Irish players and fans, but in the 61st minute he finally bisected the poles with his third attempt and Ireland were crucially in front by enough.

It was not deemed enough, though, by Sean O’Brien in particular, who managed to avoid the efforts of two defenders as he went over for his second of the match.

Scotland had a chance to make it an interesting final four minutes when Stuart Hogg went over the line but the TMO spotted that he had knocked the ball on in the act of scoring, and as a result Ireland we able to hold onto a big lead ahead of England’s showdown with France.

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McCaw and Carter Play Murrayfield

Captain Richie McCaw and fly-half Dan Carter have both been named in New Zealand's starting line-up for Sunday's Test against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith make up a new combination in midfield.

Despite nine changes from the team that drew with Australia last month, the starting side still boasts 556 caps with an additional 267 on the bench.

Head coach Steve Hansen said: "We know that the Scots will lift for this and we expect them to be very combative."

New Zealand's run of 16 successive wins since the start of their triumphant 2011 World Cup campaign came to an end last month with their 18-18 draw with Australia in Brisbane three weeks ago.

But they still have an eye on overtaking the 23-match run of their 1987 predecessors, who remained undefeated for more than three years after winning the inaugural World Cup.

The Murrayfield match kicks off an All Blacks tour of Europe that also has them facing Italy on 17 November, Wales on 24 November and England on 1 December.

"The team is excited about kicking off our Tour in Scotland in front of a packed house at Murrayfield," said Hansen, who stresses that he has picked a strong side.

"We've had a good build-up this week and the key for us has been to get our preparation spot on so we can put in a performance on Sunday which we are proud of."

Murrayfield is poised to witness two new New Zealand caps, with 25-year-old hooker Dane Coles and 22-year-old half-back Tawera Kerr-Barlow starting on the bench.

The All Blacks have played Scotland 28 times since 1905, with 26 wins to New Zealand and two draws - in 1964 and 1983.

New Zealand won 49-3 on their last visit to Murrayfield, in 2010.

New Zealand : Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu; Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks, Luke Romano, Sam Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Richie McCaw (captain), Victor Vito. Replacements : Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Beauden Barrett, Ma'a Nonu.

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Deans Dejected as Australia Suffer

Robinson Continues with Scotland

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson is to continue in his role "with the support of his revised coaching structure".

Robinson met with Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson to review the recent Six Nations campaign.

The Scots were recipients of the Wooden Spoon after losing all five Tests in this season's championship.

A Scottish Rugby spokesman said: "The discussions were positive and concluded that Andy will continue to lead the Scotland national team."

Robinson is under contract until 2015 and Matt Taylor and Scott Johnson are due to join his backroom staff, with Graham Steadman leaving and Gregor Townsend replacing Sean Lineen as head coach of Glasgow Warriors.

Scotland have won only two Six Nations matches since the former England and Bath coach took over from Frank Hadden in 2009 and they exited the World Cup before the quarter-finals for the first time at last year's finals.

However, Robinson has led the side to impressive wins against Argentina, Australia and South Africa.

Scotland Winger Stays in Dublin

Lee Jones, the 23-year-old Scotland wing, is making “good progress” in hospital in Dublin Sunday after the head injury he sustained in last night’s RBS 6 Nations Championship against Ireland.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said on Monday “Lee took a blow to the head which resulted in a severe concussion. He remained in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, overnight in the care of consultant John Ryan.

“He has made good progress overnight and will stay in hospital this morning until the consultant is happy for him to be released.

He is scheduled to travel back to Scotland Monday.

“We would like to thank John and his team for the expert help given to us.”

Four other players will require further medical attention and assessment following the game at the Aviva Stadium – back-row forwards John Barclay (ribs) and David Denton (shin bruising), scrum-half Mike Blair (shoulder) and centre Max Evans (dead leg). In addition a number of other players have what Dr Robson described as “lesser soft-tissue” injuries.

The Scotland party flew back to Edinburgh Sunday afternoon and will be in camp to prepare for Saturday’s final RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Italy in Rome.

Ireland Inflict More Scotland Pain

Ireland inflicted a fourth successive RBS Six Nations defeat on Scotland after prevailing 32-14 at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening.

The hosts crossed four times in total and overcame the absence of key duo Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell to claim a hard-fought win.

Stand-in captain Rory Best started the ball rolling with a well-worked try before Eoin Reddan and Andrew Trimble struck in between a fine solo effort from Scotland back-rower Richie White.

Replacement Fergus McFadden added extra authority to the scoreline late on after Max Evans had been sin-binned for a cynical trip, and Scotland must now turn their attention to a wooden spoon decider against Italy next weekend.

Scotland were dealt a blow just before kick-off when Nick De Luca was ruled out with a hamstring injury. His absence paved the way for Evans to return at outside centre.

Visiting fly-half Greig Laidlaw took advantage of early indiscipline from Ireland, firing over two penalties inside the opening 10 minutes to put Scotland 6-0 in front.

But the response from the hosts was clinical, hooker Best crashing over following a well-worked line-out routine. Jonathan Sexton expertly added the extras from the touchline.

The Leinster No.10 was on target again just before the half hour, his penalty putting Ireland 10-6 ahead after Allan Jacobsen had been punished in the scrum.

Scotland deservedly cut the deficit when Laidlaw made it three from three on 32 minutes, but the Scots were the architects of their own downfall just 90 seconds later when Reddan squirmed past a host of would-be tacklers to score. Sexton converted.

Scotland were rewarded for their attacking persistence three minutes before the interval when Gray scored his first try in 20 Tests, brushing past Reddan and Tommy Bowe before fooling Rob Keaney with a dummy.

But there was to be yet more drama before the break when winger Trimble stepped inside Lee Jones to score in the corner. Sexton failed to add the extras, meaning Ireland went into the break 22-14 ahead.

Graeme Morrison brilliantly denied Bowe what would surely have been a killer score in the early stages of the second half, with the Scotland centre holding up the Ospreys man on the try-line.

And so after a flurry of points in the first half, chances suddenly became few and far between in the second as Ireland comfortably preserved their lead.

They had to wait until the 72nd minute before extending it, Sexton taking his tally for the evening to 10 points with a penalty which put Ireland 11 clear.

Evans' trip denied Keith Earls what would have been a fine individual try just a minute later and the resulting yellow card meant Scotland were forced to play the remaining exchanges with 14 men.

The numerical advantage proved pivotal and, after a forceful scrum, substitute McFadden was able to dive over from close range for his third Test try. Sexton capped an impressive performance with the extras.

Andy Robinson Lost for Words

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has admitted he was lost for words after watching his side slump to a third defeat in this year's Six Nations.

Despite establishing an early 10-0 lead, his side were defeated 23-17 in front of a home crowd at Murrayfield.

Scotland have now lost five successive Test matches for the first time in eight years.

"I am frustrated because the guys played really well but haven't won the game," he told BBC Radio Scotland.

"We're here to win and that's why I'm distraught for the guys. I can't ask any more than what they are giving.

"They've been fantastic and the way they went out and played against a team that got to the final of the World Cup. It's those small margins that are costing us."

The teams were locked at 10-10 at the break, but a try from Lee Jones and Duncan Weir's subsequent conversion shortly after the restart handed the advantage back to Scotland.

However, their four-point advantage was short-lived as Maxime Medard's try was converted by Morgan Parra with 20 minutes left and Lionel Beauxis' drop-goal further stretched the visitors' lead.

"I am a little bit lost for words because I think they had some key things that happened out in that game today, big moments that have cost the game today," Robinson said.

The former England boss, though, was keen to highlight the positives in a performance during which Stuart Hogg and Jones scored their first Test tries, while the forward pack - as demanded by Robinson - went toe-to-toe with a formidable French unit.

"There are lots of positives to take out of it. The way we played in that first 20 minutes, the way the guys have played throughout," Robinson added.

"We just need that little bit going with us and we're not achieving that at the moment. We've got to keep working hard and it will come."

Flanker Ross Rennie took little consolation from being named man of the match.

"We put in another massive effort and, to come away with nothing, everyone is pretty down," he said.

"We made some good breaks and scored some good tries, but on turnover attack the French were awesome and we let them be good.

"Hoggy made a couple of outstanding breaks, I thought he had a great game, he is certainly one to watch."

Robinson also confirmed that Scotland wing Rory Lamont suffered a suspected broken leg after falling awkwardly with half an hour gone.

France remain unbeaten and on course for a Grand Slam decider against Wales on the final weekend of the tournament on 17 March.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre's side have only played twice however, after their match against Ireland was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The former Gloucester centre admitted that he would have to rework his side for the rearranged match on 4 March.

"Our full-back Maxime Medard is injured and I think he will be out for next week," he said.

"After that, it will depend on how the squad reacts after a game like this which was so quick with the ball staying on the pitch all the time.

"I think we deserved to win because in the second half we had control of the game. We were very good in the scrum and in the contact area.

"I don't know if this is a championship-winning team, I just know that we have two huge games at home at the Stade de France, first against Ireland on Sunday, and then we will see."

France Unchanged for Scots

France will line up in the Six Nations against Scotland on Sunday with the team that should have played against Ireland before the game was postponed.

The match at the Stade de France on Saturday 11 February was called off 10 minutes before kick-off because parts of the pitch were frozen.

"Nobody played against Ireland," said France coach Philippe Saint-Andre, "so nobody had a bad game.

"Everyone had prepared properly, so there's a certain logic to that."

France defeated Italy 30-12 in their opening Six Nations match.

Scrum-half Morgan Parra starts ahead of veteran Dimitri Yachvili, who was not selected for the Ireland game because of a sore back.

“We will try and keep hold of the ball and impose our style of play on Scotland”Philippe Saint-AndreFrance coach

Parra will be partnered by fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc and, with Yachvili rested, Parra will take kicking duties against Andy Robinson's Scotland team when they visit Edinburgh.

Although Scotland have lost 13-6 at home to England and 27-13 against Wales, Saint-Andre is nonetheless wary of the challenge the hosts will offer.

"Scotland can keep the ball for long periods of time," he said. "Sometimes their phases last longer than four minutes.

"This match will be a big test physically for us but also in terms of our strategy."

France's first game against the Italians was on 4 February and Saint-Andre's main concern is whether his players will be fit enough to last the whole game at Murrayfield.

"We had players who had cramps and no energy left in the last five minutes against Italy," he added.

"It will be an important test for us. We will try and keep hold of the ball and impose our style of play on Scotland."

Saint-Andre expects substitute flanker Julien Bonaire to come on in the second half to put pressure on Scotland as they tire.

Number eight Louis Picamoles is likely to play a key role in that respect, while the Scots may also look to expose centre Wesley Fofana's lack of experience.

Fofana made his test debut against Italy but will be supported in midfield by veteran Aurelien Rougerie.

Scrum-half Julien Dupuy is on the bench and also provides valuable back-up as kicker should Saint-Andre need to make a tactical change.

Stade Francais hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, troubled by a bruised knee, sat out Tuesday's training session but is expected to keep his place ahead of 34-year-old veteran William Servat.

Servat was a key player in France's World Cup campaign, but the 29-year-old Szarzewski has been in fine form this season and Saint-Andre is also counting on players that will still be in their prime at the 2015 World Cup.

TEAM NEWS

France : Maxime Medard, Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, Julien Malzieu, Francois Trinh-Duc, Morgan Parra; Louis Picamoles, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape, Nicolas Mas, Dimitri Szarzewski, Jean-Baptiste Poux.

Replacements : William Servat, Vincent Debaty, Lionel Nallet, Julien Bonnaire, Julien Dupuy, Lionel Beauxis, Maxime Mermoz.

Telfer Tackles Robinson on Parks

Former Scotland coach Jim Telfer has criticised Andy Robinson for his statement regarding the retirement of Dan Parks from international rugby.

Parks stepped down on Tuesday after Scotland's opening Six Nations defeat by England, and current coach Robinson said it was "the right decision".

"Robinson said it was the right time to go, and I think he's a bit culpable on that," Telfer told the BBC.

"He stood by him before, and he hasn't stood by him now."

The last of Parks' 67 appearances for Scotland saw the stand-off making a mistake that gave England a match-winning try at Murrayfield.

“When they picked him last Thursday, Robinson said 'he's my man' - three days later, he's not and he says he's quite right to go - and I find that not very nice at all”Jim Telfer on Scotland's treatment of Dan Parks

"I was surprised in a way, but not in another way, because he's taken a bit of a pummelling with the press up here," said Telfer.

"He's an easy target and they blamed him for the loss.

"The score he gave away - which was 29 seconds into the second half - had some bearing on the result, but Scotland had two or three gilt-edged chances to score and win the game.

"Gaving Hastings missed a kick to put us into the final of the World Cup - he's still a legend, so some players get away with things that Dan Parks didn't get away with. Dan has been a controversial figure all the way through.

"He's never been a favourite in Scotland, because he's an Australian.

"Even though he's got 67 caps, they don't like what they call foreigners coming in and they just turned on him.

"I feel very sorry for him, because he's been a great servant to Scottish rugby."

Most of Telfer's criticism was aimed at Robinson, after Parks had fought to regain his place with award-winning performances in the 2010 Six Nations.

"Dan is not the reason Scotland haven't been scoring tries and winning matches," he added.

"When Andy Robinson picked him, he picked a certain type of player - so Andy bears some responsibility as well.

"I don't know the exact circumstances of him retiring, but he's a very nice bloke and a great influence on players.

"He's a good rugby strategy man, which is probably why Robinson had faith in him.

"When they picked him last Thursday, Robinson said 'he's my man' - three days later, he's not and he says he's quite right to go - and I find that not very nice at all."

#thanksdan

Lancaster Wins in Murrayfield

Charlie Hodgson scored a charge-down try as England grabbed a 13-6 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

A hard-fought victory gave Stuart Lancaster the perfect start to his tenure as interim head coach, although his side had to hold on grimly for most of the second half after Hodgson's score.

England defended tenaciously but Scotland will rue a string of errors which ultimately cost them victory.

Two Dan Parks penalties had earned Scotland a 6-3 half-time lead and put the hosts on course for just a second opening weekend win in 13 attempts in the tournament, before his mistake cost his side the game 24 seconds into the second half.

Hodgson - back in an England starting side for the first time since 2008 - charged down a Parks attempted clearance kick and was first to the loose ball.

Owen Farrell converted and finished with eight points on his England debut.

The television match official ruled against Greig Laidlaw - on for Parks - after 63 minutes, and for all Scotland's endeavour they could not breach the white wall of defenders.

Scotland were smarting from their last Test - the last-gasp loss to England which saw them eliminated from the Rugby World Cup at the group stage for the first time - and determined to finally realise their undoubted potential.

Lock Jim Hamilton set the tone for the hosts in the opening minute, rampaging into the England 22 only for a misplaced pass to allow Tom Palmer to hack the danger clear.

Farrell missed a penalty from 47 metres after 13 minutes, but soon had another opportunity.

Hodgson's kick cross-field was dropped by Rory Lamont, David Strettle collected, scampered forward and fed Mauritz Botha, who was tackled and not released.

This time Farrell put England 3-0 ahead after 23 minutes.

Parks levelled three minutes later after Scotland punched forward from the restart and the visitors were penalised for going off their feet.

A Max Evans burst pushed Scotland forward before Chris Ashton was caught by Chris Cusiter, David Denton and Alasdair Strokosch, the wing failing to release, presenting Parks with another chance. The fly-half made it 6-3 after 33 minutes before his error in the opening moments of the second half allowed England to regain the lead.

Parks delayed over a straightforward clearance at his own line, Hodgson charged down and won the race for the ball. Farrell converted to make it 10-6.

The incident appeared to sap confidence from the hosts and quietened a previously vocal Murrayfield crowd.

Opportunities for Denton and Strettle fizzled out before Richie Gray powered through a gap up to the England 22, but Strokosch knocked on when following up in support.

Robinson turned to his replacements' bench with 21 minutes remaining - Alastair Kellock, John Barclay, Mike Blair and Laidlaw introduced for Hamilton, Strokosch, Cusiter and Parks.

The reinforcements had a near-immediate impact when Laidlaw appealed for a try after chasing his own chip, only to fail to get the required downward pressure ahead of Ben Youngs.

Ross Rennie darted through a gap and attempted to find Blair, only for Ben Foden to snuff out the pass.

Farrell missed a penalty attempt from halfway after 71 minutes as England spurned the chance to take a seven-point lead.

England replacement Mike Brown earned a penalty after Scotland failed to release and Farrell this time booted England further ahead with five minutes remaining.

Scotland continued to look for opportunities but were repelled on each occasion by fiercely committed England defence, as the visitors held on for their first Calcutta Cup win in Edinburgh since 2004.

Ford Named Scotland Captain

Ross Ford will captain Scotland for the Six Nations campaign.

The 27-year-old Edinburgh hooker started all four of Scotland's games at last year's World Cup in New Zealand.

Head coach Andy Robinson revealed that his original intention had been to give the captaincy duty to back-row forward Kelly Brown.

However, Brown was injured playing for Saracens in the Heineken Cup at the weekend and will not be available for the tournament.

Ford made his first international appearance against Australia in 2004 and won his 53rd cap against England in the World Cup loss in Auckland.

England are once again the opponents when Scotland begin their Six Nations tilt at Murrayfield on 4 February.

"This is a special day for Ross, who has been a key figure in our leadership group and our most consistent performer for some time," said Robinson.

"I firmly believe he is the man who will step up and lead from the front.

"That said, I'm really disappointed for Kelly Brown.

"I had asked him to be the captain late last week but unfortunately injury will deprive him of that honour and the chance to lead out his country for his 50th cap."

On Brown's leg injury, team doctor James Robson said: "Following the scans that Kelly underwent yesterday and consultation with a knee specialist, Kelly will require a small operation to stabilise the fibula head in his leg - which he dislocated. The surgery will facilitate his recovery.

"This will be undertaken in the next seven to ten days once the initial swelling has settled. The return from an injury of this nature is, typically, in the region of eight to ten weeks."

Ford becomes the 112th man to skipper Scotland, taking over from Glasgow lock Al Kellock, who led the team in last year's Six Nations and at the World Cup.

Scrum-half Rory Lawson stood in for Kellock for two games in New Zealand but Robinson has plumped for a man who has nailed down a starting berth in the side.

"It's a massive honour and privilege to captain your country," said Ford.

"I'm really grateful to be given this chance to captain a team of so much potential.

"For me, the big thing is leading from the front and actually showing a good example to the boys as well as backing it up with words.

"First and foremost is 'do it', do it for everybody to see, and that's the way I'll be looking to lead the team against England."

Meanwhile, uncapped Glasgow prop Jon Welsh has been called into Robinson's training squad to provide cover for Alasdair Dickinson and Ed Kalman, who are carrying knocks.

Kalman was drafted in when injury ruled Moray Low out of the Six Nations.

FACTFILE

Age: 27

Caps: 53 (plus one Test for British and Irish Lions)

Height 6ft 1in (1.85m)

17st 13lb (114kg)