Ireland on course for Grand Slam win
March 18, 2009
Ireland narrowly defeated Scotland to keep alive their hopes of a Grand Slam in the Six Nations, what would be their first for sixty-one years. The Irish now need to defeat current Grand Slam champions Wales in Cardiff next Saturday.
The Irish battled all the way to edge out the Scots, who have improved drastically during this rugby tournament. It was very close for the Irish, as they trailed Scotland 12-9 at the break, all the points coming from the respective boots of Chris Paterson and Ronan O’Gara.
Ireland took the lead in the second half as Jamie Heaslip went over for an Irish try, which was followed by a conversion, a drop goal and another penalty from the trusty boot of O’Gara. This was enough to Ireland home to victory.
Their trip to Wales will be anything but a formality though as Wales themselves can lift the Six Nation’s trophy if they defeat Ireland by thirteen points in Cardiff. It’s almost a shame that Wales couldn’t have beaten France a few weeks ago to set up a Grand Slam decider, in much the same as a potential decider between Wales and Ireland was averted in 2005 when it was Ireland who slipped up on route to the meeting in Cardiff.
