Ireland edge out Scotland in 6 Nations opener

Ireland began life under new Head Coach Andy Farrell with a nervy 19-12 victory over Scotland in their opening game of the 2020 Six Nations Championship.

Captain Jonny Sexton converted his own early try and kicked 4 penalties as he scored all of his side's points in his first game since being appointed to replace Rory Best.

Their unconvincing evening at the Aviva had begun in miserable circumstances as Adam Hastings kicked the Scots into an early lead just after Caelan Doris' Irish debut was cut short. It lasted fewer than 4 minutes, as the young number 8 was forced off with a head injury, replaced by Peter O'Mahoney.

Farrell's men had the chance to level with a kick at goal just 4 minutes later, but captain Sexton opted for the corner. It proved to be a smart piece of decision making, as the resulting lineout maul provided the platform for the game's only try.

A few powerful phases by the forwards pulled the Scottish defence all over the 22 before Conor Murray's pass sent Sexton into space, and the out-half ran in for an easy finish left of the posts in the 9th minute, from which he added the conversion.

Hastings added another penalty to narrow the Irish lead in the 16th minute, and the game then became tense with neither side able to fully take control. Ulster's Jacob Stockdale went on a trademark break down the left in a rare spark of creativity from Ireland, but the scoreboard didn't move again until the 35th minute.

Sexton this time opted for the posts when his side were gifted a penalty thanks to some naive Scottish defending, and he landed the kick to make it 10-6 at the interval.

The second half continued as the first had ended, with captain Sexton slotting another 3 points in the 45th minute, before a lucky break for the Irish saw the Scots squander a superb chance to score.

Slick, quick passing sent skipper Stuart Hogg free on the left and all he had to do was stride forward 3 yards and touch down - but the full-back opted to try a one handed finish, and somehow dropped the ball under no pressure from any defender.

Their visit to the 22 wasn't a total waste though, as Hastings added a 52nd minute penalty to keep things tight at 13-9.

It was then Ireland's turn for a spell in the Scottish 22, and they opted for the posts after failing to break down the defence as Sexton made it 16-9 with 57 on the clock. 2 minutes later, Conor Murray's indifferent evening was brought to an end by the introduction of Ulster's John Cooney.

His first contributions were in defence though, making a few key tackles as the Scottish slowly worked their way into the Irish half, eventually resulting in another Hastings penalty sent over in the 66th minute to make it 16-12.

Sexton's final contribution of a busy evening was another kick from just outside the 22, his penalty making it 19-12 and giving Ireland a buffer into the final 7 minutes that proved to be enough to secure the win.