IRELAND bolstered their hopes of a third successive Six Nations title as they made it 11 wins in a row over Scotland with a ruthless bonus-point 32-18 triumph at Murrayfield.

The Scots endured a disastrous first half in which they allowed the dominant Irish to build a 17-0 lead through tries from Calvin Nash and captain Caelan Doris while also losing three of their most influential backs: Duhan van der Merwe to a yellow card, and both talismanic co-captain Finn Russell and wing Darcy Graham to head injuries.

Scotland rallied just before and just after half-time, with a Van der Merwe try and two Blair Kinghorn penalties bringing the hosts back to within six points at 17-11.