Edgy Ireland claim Triple Crown

Ronan O'Gara inspired Ireland to their third Triple Crown in four years as Eddie O'Sullivan's men ground out a narrow 19-18 victory over Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Murrayfield.

O'Gara scored a try and kicked four penalties and a conversion as Ireland extended their winning sequence over Scotland to seven matches.

After a shaky start, Frank Hadden's Scotland produced a much-improved display following the shock defeat to Italy and Chris Paterson kept the home side in it right to the end with six penalties in a flawless display.

Ireland started on the front foot, with Paul O'Connell and Gordon D'Arcy breaking through the Scottish defence in ominous fashion.

On the second occasion Scotland flanker Kelly Brown was penalised in the resulting ruck and O'Gara kicked Ireland ahead after nine minutes.

The visitors were totally dominant in the first quarter but Scotland were gifted a chance to level the scores in the 17th minute when Ireland were caught offside and captain Paterson made no mistake with his kick.

Scotland became increasingly more competitive and winger Sean Lamont's burst in midfield sent Paterson clear, but he was caught from behind by Denis Hickie.

The game now had plenty of edge to it with two flare-ups in the space of five minutes, the second of which was between the two captains Paterson and Brian O'Driscoll.

Ireland scored the game's only try after half an hour when O'Gara charged down Dan Parks' attempted clearance kick, collected the loose ball and - after D'Arcy and Easterby had exchanged passes - strolled over for his 12th international try before adding the conversion to make it 10-3.

Paterson reduced the deficit with a penalty after Rory Best was penalised in a scrum on his own line and he and O'Gara kicked a penalty apiece at the end of the half.

Scotland then made a change at half-time, winger Rory Lamont replacing full-back Hugo Southwell, and Hadden had to further reshuffle his side when lock Nathan Hines was sin-binned for failing to roll clear of a ruck after tackling Denis Leamy.

O'Driscoll almost made Ireland's advantage count when he cut through Scotland's midfield before passing to Hickie but a tremendous cover tackle from Sean Lamont denied the Leinster winger another international try.

Scotland dealt with being a man light brilliantly, and they brought themselves to within a point of their opponents after 52 minutes when O'Connell joined a ruck from the side and Paterson kicked the penalty.

Hadden's men took the lead for the first time in the match when Ireland's forward were penalised 25 yards out midway through the second period and once more Paterson came up with three points.

Paterson increased his side's lead to 18-13 five minutes later when Ireland were penalised for going over the top but O'Gara replied soon after following an infringement from replacement prop Allan Jacobsen.

Scotland were caught offside in the 70th minute and O'Gara kicked his side ahead by a point, a lead which they held onto to complete the Triple Crown.

So three Triple Crown's in four years for Ireland, but they will be unhappy with a surprisingly nervous performance.