Ireland smother Scotland as Grand Slam train steams towards Twickenham

Ireland's Grand Slam dream remains firmly on track after they downed Scotland in a muscular display at the Aviva Stadium.

Scotland were the first to strike with an early Greig Laidlaw penalty but Ireland struck back with a 21st minute intercept try from in form winger Jacob Stockdale.

Stockdale would cross the whitewash just before halftime after a wraparound move from Garry Ringrose put the hulking winger in the corner for his 10th try in just his eighth Test.

A poor pass from Scottish centre Huw Jones to fullback Stuart Hogg with the line at his mercy saved Ireland's blushes, and they went into halftime leading 14 - 3.

Ireland were first to score in the second half as Conor Murray was driven over in the 45th minute.

Scotland hit back with a Blair Kinghorn try in the 51st minute after a well-worked move off a scrum, but Scotland were unable to reel in a dominant Irish team who had the lion's share of territory and possession.

A 68th minute try from substitute hooker Sean Cronin sealed a crucial bonus point which puts pressure on England to do the same in Paris if they want a chance of lifting the Six Nations Championship in London next weekend.

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