Here’s Luke McLaughlin’s report from Edinburgh,Same old story for Scotland, or as Luke says, “the song remains the same”,Thanks for joining me,We’ve had six games in the Six Nations so far and really only one, maybe two have been decent,Let’s hope this break revitalises the competition.

Catch you soon.An update on the injured players.Graham has been taken to hospital for a scan.Russell showed signs of concussion which is why he couldn’t get back out.For those catching up, the Scotland pair collided with each other as they scrambled to defend the line.

Head on head.There was a long stoppage before Graham was stretchered off with his head held in a brace.A dejected Rory Darge had this to say:It’s tough to deal with [the injuries to Russell and Graham].They’re two very important players.That was tough.

The boys hung in there but we’re disappointed with the result.The difference was the clinicalness.We had a few opportunities but couldn’t take them and convert them.That’s a sore loss so we have to take that on the chin.Now the Irish skipper, Caelan Dorris:Definitely feel satisfaction after that.

We knew Scotland are a dangerous team and full of belief, so we targeted a fast start.We did that really well.They cam back firing and had a purple patch, but pleasing from us overall.The competition within the squad is great.It pushes the standard up in training in the week.

Whoever gets on the starting team or the bench is fighting for a position.Yup, utterly dominant.I tipped France to win the grand slam before the start of the competition but it’s now hard to look beyond Ireland, especially with their game against Dupont et al will take place in Dublin.Chuck in the fact that Leinster haven’t lost a game all season and suddenly this outfit looks pretty impressive.Here’s the player of the match, Sam Prendergast:It was an unbelievable game, a savage atmosphere, I couldn’t believe it when the anthems were sung.

We started unebliably, it wasn’t perfect but we found our moments.It wasn’t perfect but it was better than last week and we’ll keep working on getting better.In terms of distribution, when you look across the backline and the platform our forwards give us, it makes my job easier and makes me look a bit better.I’ve had a quick glance at X.Between the hate speech and bots is a lot of questions around Gregor Townsend.

Has he taken this team as far as he can? His contract runs out in April 2026.Should the Scottish board be looking elsewhere before then? His team were so underwhelming today.The concussion to Finn Russell was pivotal, but they got bossed by Ireland’s forwards and at the breakdown.Is that coaching? Ireland certainly look like a better coached team.That’s 11 wins in a row for Ireland over Scotland.

They earn a bonus point, move to the top of the table and remain the only team on track for a grand slam.Scotland were OK in patches, scored a wonder try in the first half, but were third best in this two horse race.Ireland just far too good.80 min: Schoeman unfurls a wonder dummy! That’ll make a compilation of prop highlights for sure.The move fizzles to nothing but Healy was totally sold there.

Lovely prop on prop shenanigans.But we’ll have a scrum to Ireland for a Scottish knock-on and that’ll be that.78 min: Both sides look knackered.Both going through the motions a touch.Prendergast launches a hopeful high kick that Lowe knocks back.

It ends with a knock on and a scrum to Ireland,Prendergast has just been awarded the player of the match award,I thought it was Gibson-Park, but no stiff complaints from me,The young 10 has been brilliant,Too little, too late, but something to cheer at least.

Ashman found his jumper and in a flash the maul sucked in numerous Scottish players as it rumbled forward,It stalled, which gave White the chance to get his head up and spot a gap,He collected the ball and darted through a weak Prendergast tackle to dot down,The conversion is good, but it’s mere consolation at this point,74 min: Scotland get a gimme courtesy of a free-kick from the Irish scrum.

Schoeman takes it on.There’s a lot of lateral running.Kinghorn unfurls an offload.There’s a lot of huff but not much progress.They get the penalty after Sheehan strays offside.

Better in terms of number of phases, but no punch, no zip to get over the line.Ireland kept them at arm’s length throughout.72 min: After Scotland won a penalty and then set up a maul downfield, Beirne, who has been great, stepped in, wrapped up the ball carrier and wouldn’t let go, winning the scrum for his team.It’s as if every time Scotland threaten to assert themselves, they’re swatted back down.Is this already a shellacking? The rangy fly-half lashes the ball from 40 metres out and it’s three more to his tally.

69 min: Now Ireland win a scrum penalty.Hurd penalised.Porter bullied him.They’re just better, in every department.69 min: Crowley, at fullback I think, rises high to take a clean catch if the lofted ball.

It’s all a bit cagey now.Ireland spill the ball at the breakdown on halfway.Scrum to Scotland.66 min: Spilled in contact by Scotland straight off the back of the line-out.Just not good enough.

Matt Fagerson took too long to pass the ball and was sacked.65 min: Ireland infringe at the line-out so Scotland have a clearing penalty.They blast it downfield for a line-out.Still in their own territory.Something has to happen now or it’s not going to happen for Scotland.

64 min: Scotland are trying as best they can but the relentless pressure from the Irish defence is rushing men in blue.So all these knock-ons are a consequence of forced errors, rather than the messy spills they might seem.Another one on halfway after Scotland’s attack flattered to deceive ends with an Irish scrum.Prendergast rakes a brilliant kick that bobbles out around eight metres from the Scotland try line.Crowley comes on for Nash.

61 min: Just relentless from Ireland.Just about every breakdown is a contest and the men in green are winning it by a distance.Conan with a steal and that’s a penalty for the visitors.Scotland just can’t get any continuity.But the line-out hasn’t quite worked.

This long one – outside the 15 - is not straight so it’s a Scottish scrum on halfway.Almost from nothing! Ireland’s attack stalled around Scotland’s 22 so Gibson-Park dinks an almost overhead box kick into open space and Keenan was there first.The fullback was then taken out in the air by Kinghorn so, with a penalty advantage, Ireland could play it as they liked.Gibson-Park (my pick for player of the match so far) recycled it and it was matter of when, rather than if.Conan straightened and powered past two tacklers to score.

56 min: Scotland win a penalty after Doris forgets the rules and enters a ruck from the side.Ashman, on for Cherry, finds his jumper.Schoeman, on as well, cuts a neat line with a strong carry.They’ve meandered from left to right.Dobbie straightens but gets flattened.

They’re back in their own half having started the move on Ireland’s 22,Now it’s a penalty for Ireland with Bealham getting in over the ball before Fagerson or Darge could react,Prendergast monsters a kick down field,Ireland with the throw just beyond Scotland’s 22,Ireland are over! Strong finish from Lowe but that’s all about the continuity.

The scrum on the left won a penalty so Gibson-park went down the right,Prendergast had it on a string,Keenan darted and came close,Van der Flier punched it up before it spiralled to Lowe who got a hot step on Kingorn and then powered over under pressure,Prendergast with the conversion and the big lead is restored.

51 min: That’s a bit of a coach killer.Scotland spill the ball from the restart so Ireland have a scrum feed on Scotland’s 22.But the home team come away with the ball a phase later.Jones I think with a steal.White box kicks a contestable that bounces kindly for Lowe who screams onto the ball