Ireland keep their hopes alive

Ireland - 21 Scotland - 15:RUGBY/Under-21 World Cup: Ireland kept alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the IRB under-21 World Cup with a deserved win over Scotland last night at Newbury, one based almost entirely on the superiority of their forwards and their overall ability to do the basics well at the set-piece.

Ireland, who lost to South Africa in the opening round, have to beat Argentina convincingly at Henley on Saturday and earn a bonus point by scoring four tries to stand a chance of a top-four place. They also have to hope Wales lose heavily to South Africa, the reigning champions, an unlikely scenario given the Welsh maintained their unblemished record with a 24-18 defeat of Argentina at Oxford.

Ireland effectively had the game won by half time, and, after a scoreless third quarter rubbed home their advantage when full back Peter O'Brien scorched over after Ireland had pounced on a dropped Scottish pass. That made the scoreline 21-8 and although Scotland rallied with a late try through Alasdair Strokosch, Ireland never looked in danger of losing.

Ireland were fortunate not to have had winger John Hearty sent off after he swung a punch at Scottish full back Gareth Morten at the start of the final quarter following a kick and chase. The two tangled but Bruce Kuklinski, the Canadian referee, chose to send both players to the sin-bin.

The first half illustrated the contrast in styles. Scotland, with their lighter, more mobile forwards, preferred to move away from contact, looking to bring their backs into action. But much of their initial good work was undone by a lack of composure at crucial moments, and wayward passing out of the tackle.

Ireland adopted a more prosaic approach through their bigger forwards, choosing to pick and drive and then kick for territory with the wind. Only occasionally did the ball reach Glen Telford on the crash ball. It was a limited tactic but one that gradually wore down their opponents.

Ireland took the lead in the second minute when Scotland were penalised for offside. Outhalf Michael Rainey, who was named captain before kick-off when Stephen Keogh withdrew with a back injury, kicked the first of his three goals in the opening half. His second was converted in the seventh minute before the Scots were rewarded for their sense of adventure.

They kicked for touch from a penalty, Strokosch took the lineout, the forwards mauled in-field, the ball was released and Nikki Walker, capped by Scotland last autumn at full international level, came off his wing for the score. Alistair Warnock, missed the easy conversion.

Scottish hands at a ruck presented Ireland with their third penalty before the end of the first quarter. Ireland used the driven maul from the lineout to good effect, twice going close with only desperate Scottish defence holding them out. The Scots raised the siege and Warnock chipped his first penalty when Ireland were caught offside.

Michael Bradley's side extended their advantage a minute before the interval after Allister Hogg, the Scotland number eight had been sin-binned for handling in a ruck. Ireland opted for a scrum close to the Scotland line and nudging the set-piece right, number eight Ciarán Potts burst from the back of the scrum to drive through the depleted back-row cover. It proved to be more than enough.

SCORES: Scotland: Tries: Walker (13 mins), Strokosch (78 mins). Conversion: Warnock. Penalty goal: Warnock (34 mins). Ireland: Tries: Potts (39 mins), O'Brien (70 mins). Conversion: Rainey. Penalty goals: Rainey 3 (2, 9, 17 mins).

SCOTLAND: G Morton; N Walker, G Morrison, P Godman, A Turnbull; A Warnock, M McMillan; J Malokoty, J Henry, A Dickinson, A Strokosch, M Rennie, S Swindall, K Brown, A Hogg. Replacements: F Thompson for Henry (60 mins); T MacCormick (62 mins); G Mories for Malokoty (64 mins);

IRELAND: P O'Brien; K Mathews, B Murphy, G Telford, J Hearty, M Rainey, F O'Loughlin, J Moran, R Best, D Fitzpatrick, D Gannon, N McComb, J Muldoon, N Ronan, C Potts. Replacements: R Lane for Mathews (40 mins), R Lane for Telford; E McGovern for Moran (64 mins); C O'Loughlin for O'Loughlin (74 mins).

Sin binned: Scotland - A Hogg (39 mins); G Morton (64 mins). Ireland - J hearty (64 mins)

Referee: B Kuklinski (Canada).