SM
Arsenal vs. Juventus: 7 hrs 46 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Oct 7, 2023 at 8pm UK
 
Ireland
36-14
Scotland
Lowe (2'), Keenan (26', 39'), Henderson (32'), Sheehan (44'), Ringrose (58')
FT
Ashman (64'), Price (65')

Ireland outclass Scotland to set up New Zealand quarter-final

:Headline: Ireland outclass Scotland to set up New Zealand quarter-final:
Ireland power to a statement-making 36-14 win over Scotland to set up a World Cup quarter-final against three-time winners New Zealand.
Sports Mole

Ireland have secured top spot in Pool B and their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a 36-14 victory over Scotland in Saint-Denis this evening.

In what was essentially knockout rugby before the end of the group stage, Ireland outclassed their Six Nations rivals with a statement performance in the first half especially, before seeing out an impressive win which further underlines their status as serious contenders to go all the way and lift the trophy.

However, after topping a daunting pool which contained South Africa and a Scotland side hailed as the best they had ever produced, Ireland face another heavyweight showdown in the quarter-finals with three-time world champions and Pool A runners-up New Zealand awaiting them next week.

For Scotland, their special crop of players must accept another World Cup group-stage exit, having now failed to make it into the knockout rounds in three of the last four tournaments after making it to at least the quarter-finals in each of the first six editions.

Gregor Townsend's side went into the World Cup ranked as the fifth-best team in the world but still only the third-best team in their group, but while they can feel frustrated at being drawn in such a difficult pool, tonight's match outlined the remaining gulf in class between them and the very best.

The rousing national anthems only served to stoke the flames of the hotly-anticipated contest, but it was Ireland who came flying out of the blocks, signalling their intent early when James Lowe scored their fastest-ever Rugby World Cup try after only 62 seconds.

Scotland initially fought back and had a good spell of possession and territory after falling behind, but Ireland's ferocious defence was unwavering as they prevented Scotland from getting any points on the board during that spell.

After weathering the storm, Ireland showed their opponents how to be clinical in attack as they took the game away from Scotland before half time.

Hugo Keenan went over twice, either side of Iain Henderson's try, to make it 26-0 at the interval - Ireland's biggest-ever World Cup half-time lead over another tier one nation.

For Scotland, meanwhile, it was the first time they had ever conceded four tries in the first half of a World Cup match, and only the second time that they had failed to score a point in the first half of a match in the tournament.

Scotland came out fired up for the second half, and tempers boiled over during a fracas between the sides soon after the restart which saw Ollie Smith sin-binned, compounding their misery.

Ireland wasted no time in making their advantage count as Dan Sheehan went over, and Garry Ringrose then ran in try number six to extend the lead to 36 points.

There was a brief flurry from Scotland to restore some element of pride as they finally breached the Irish defence when Ewan Ashman and Ali Price both touched down within one minute of each other, but that was all they had to shout about throughout the match.

Ireland comfortably saw out the win to set up the mouth-watering meeting with New Zealand - a repeat of the quarter-final four years ago when the All Blacks came out on top.

However, Ireland's last meetings with the three-time champions saw them win a series in New Zealand, raising hopes that they could make it past the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the first time in their history.

The result also means that South Africa finish as runners-up in Pool B, confirming their quarter-final against hosts France. body check tags ::

amp_article__525998 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2023-10-08 09:21:00:
html db last update - 2023-10-08 09:21:00 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Rugby World Cup permutations: Who needs what to qualify for the quarter-finals?
Reunion at Man United: Amorim 'has spoken' to Sporting star over 2025 transfer
When will Alaba return to action? Potential return date revealed
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Yoro debut? Shaw, Mainoo to return? Man United injury news vs. Ipswich

NEW

1

YD

Preview: Man City vs. Spurs - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

2

PM

Wood or Awoniyi up front? Predicted Forest XI against Arsenal

NEW

3

WO

Saka decision, who replaces White? Predicted Arsenal XI against Forest

NEW

4

SD

Preview: Bournemouth vs. Brighton - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PB

Preview: AC Milan vs. Juventus - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PA

Reunion at Man United: Amorim 'has spoken' to Sporting star over 2025 transfer

7

RA

Preview: Lens vs. Marseille - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PL

Revealed! What is Man United's main transfer priority under Amorim?

9

RW

Preview: Hellas Verona vs. Inter Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

10

PH


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .