Ireland eventually pulled clear for a comfortable 28 – 6 win against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Tries came from Andrew Trimble, Jamie Heaslip and Rob Kearney with Johnny Sexton converting two and adding three penalties.

The home side suffered a pre-match setback with the withdrawal of talisman Paul O’Connell but in the end it mattered little as replacement Dan Tuohy produced a stormer of a performance, growing into his role as the game progressed.

The first half was a bit of a scrappy affair with Ireland struggling to recapture the intensity of their last outing against the All Blacks. Scrums and line-outs were far from slick as both sides struggled for consistency but it was Ireland who eventually took the lead, on the 13th minute, with Jonny Sexton slotting over his first penalty attempt.

The visitors were level 5 minutes later with Greig Laidlaw slotting over his second attempt at goal but Ireland replied almost immediately with Sexton nailing his second penalty to put them back in front, 6 – 3.

Scotland enjoyed a period of pressure and David Denton went close off the back of a scrum before the game sprang to life, in the closing minutes of the first half, following a break from Sexton who danced from his 22 deep into Scottish territory.

A couple of line outs later and a few forward drives kept Scotland on the back foot allowing Ireland to send Trimble clear on the right for the opening try. The conversion was missed but Ireland were relieved to be going into the break with an 11 – 3 lead.

Scotland got back on the score board with Laidlaw’s second penalty after a successful Scottish line out to take the score to 11 – 6 three minutes in to the second half but from then on in it was all Ireland.

A rare scrum against the head led to an Ireland penalty which was kicked deep for a line out. A successful throw was captured by Tuohy and A driving maul from Ireland went over all too easily with Heaslip getting the credit for what looked like a score by Rory Best. Sexton added the extras and Ireland led 18 – 6 and already the game looked beyond Scotland.

Ireland were well on top but it was still scrappy. Sexton banged over another penalty on the 56th minute before Rob Kearney jinked through the hapless Scottish defence for Ireland’s third try after good work from Tuohy and Henry. Sexton converted and Ireland lead 28 – 6 with 10 minutes to go.

Schmidt emptied the bench and Ireland continued to press with Paddy Jackson nearly putting in David Kearney with the final kick of the game. Unfortunately his chip was inches too long and the match ended 28  -6  to Ireland.

IRELAND: Rob Kearney, David Kearney, Brian O’Driscoll, Luke Marshall, Andrew Trimble, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Devin Toner, Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip. Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Martin Moore, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O’Donnell, Isaac Boss, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden.

SCOTLAND: Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Alex Dunbar, Duncan Taylor, Sean Lamont, Duncan Weir, Greig Laidlaw, Ryan Grant, Ross Ford, Moray Low, Tim Swinson, Jim Hamilton, Ryan Wilson, Kelly Brown, David Denton. Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Alasdair Dickinson, Geoff Cross, Richie Gray, Johnnie Beattie, Chris Cusiter, Matt Scott, Max Evans.

Of the Ulster contingent I thought that Henry, Best and Tuohy all had good games. In fact Chris Henry is the FRU Man of the Match with a storming display in the loose.

Trimble took his try well but struggled to get involved as Scotland tended to target Kearney the younger on the opposite wing.

Henderson and Jackson came on in the closing minutes but didn’t have enough time to make a telling impact in a game that was already over.