Rugby Union: Scotland 18 - 32 Ireland

A classic Six Nations encounter at Murrayfield

The match ignited from the very first whistle, with both sides setting a fierce early tempo in what turned into a bruising encounter at Murrayfield.

Author - Sophie T

Ireland wasted no time in stamping their authority, their attacking rhythm proving too slick for Scotland in the opening exchanges. The hosts struggled to keep pace and soon conceded a penalty, allowing fly-half Sam Prendergast to kick to the corner and set up a dangerous attacking platform.

A smartly executed maul breakout had Ireland scrambling, but with defenders committed, Prendergast spotted space out wide and unleashed a pinpoint 25-metre pass—the longest of the 2025 Guinness Men's Six Nations so far—straight into the hands of Calvin Nash, who strolled over untouched. The young fly-half then coolly slotted the touchline conversion to make it 0-7.

The game’s intensity ramped up in the 13th minute when referee James Doleman paused play to review a shove from Scotland’s powerhouse winger, Duhan van der Merwe, on Nash. After a check with the TMO, Van der Merwe was shown a yellow card for foul play, leaving Scotland temporarily down to 14 men.

Sensing an opportunity, Ireland piled on the pressure, hammering away at the Scottish defence. But the home side, backed by a raucous Murrayfield crowd, stood firm, repelling wave after wave of Irish attacks.

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A hush fell over the stadium following a lengthy stoppage when Darcy Graham suffered a head injury in a heavy collision with teammate Finn Russell.

Prendergast, unshaken by the break in play, kept his 100% kicking record intact, slotting a penalty to push Ireland’s lead into double digits.

Scotland’s resistance finally cracked as Irish captain Caelan Doris powered over the line following a slick first-phase move and a sharp half-break from Prendergast. The conversion was a formality, stretching the score to 0-17.

Then, Murrayfield erupted. Van der Merwe, back from the sin-bin and with a point to prove, produced a moment of sheer brilliance, diving acrobatically into the corner to notch Scotland’s first try—his 31st in the famous blue jersey.