Scotland’s injury-ravaged and disappointing Women’s Six Nations campaign came to a tough end with a 54-5 defeat in Dublin to Ireland on Sunday afternoon.
At the Aviva Stadium, in front of a record Irish crowd of 31,294, the hosts turned on the style and scored eight tries and kicked seven conversions and the Scots simply had no answers.
Scotland had already lost centre Meryl Smith to a game-ending head injury by the time Ireland took the lead after just five minutes when hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald powered over from a lineout drive. Stand-off Dannah O’Brien converted.
Winger Robyn O’Connor then struck for their second converted try after nine minutes and it was 14-0. Ireland’s third converted try by back-row Brittany Hogan made it 21-0 in the 15th minute and it was one way traffic.
It was no surprise when the bonus point fourth try came from Ireland after 19 minutes, captain Erin King the scorer.
Just before the half hour mark Moloney-MacDonald had a try disallowed, but No.8 Aoife Wafer did score soon after and it was 33-0. Tries six and seven came just before half-time via full-back Stacey Flood and player of the match Wafer and it was 47-0 at the break.
It took Ireland 19 minutes into the second half to score again and, when they did, Hogan bagged her second try which was converted and it was 54-0.
Ireland sub Ruth Campbell was yellow carded late on and Scotland replacement Aicha Sutcliffe scored a converted try with the clock in the red, but this was Ireland’s day.
Scotland finish fifth in the standings – after one win and four defeats – with Ireland third.
The teams were playing for the Siobhan Cattigan Trophy for the first time in this game so Ireland are now the holders.
Scotland had a lot of defending to do in Dublin – thanks to Scottish Rugby
The Women’s Six Nations is here and the 2026 event runs from April 11 to May 17 and, between April 6 and May 20, GH Media will be covering Scotland’s campaign and the wider tournament – keep an eye out for content and thanks to everyone who supports GH Media’s work within women’s rugby