Ireland stayed on course for a Grand Slam as they saw off Scotland 22-7 at Murrayfield this afternoon, setting up a Grand Slam tie with England in Dublin next weekend.

At a raucous Murrayfield, with landmark 100th and 50th caps for Stuart Hogg and Garry Ringrose, respectively, the first half was a played at a thrillingly frantic pace. 

With Scotland's lineout malfunctioning early, Ireland had a try ruled out due to a different ball being in play.  Caelan Doris' fine work in creating the chance was sadly his last act as Jack Conan replaced the injured flanker. 

A penalty from Johnny Sexton did, at least, get the scoreboard moving for the visitors. 

Moments later, with their first spell of sustained pressure, Scotland scored! Finn Russell weaving space and defenders in before releasing Huw Jones for his third try in two games, Russell's easy conversion putting the hosts 7-3 ahead after the first quarter. 

Ireland responded with verve and Connacht winger Mack Hansen sublimely finished in the corner despite Duhan van der Merwe's physical presence.  Sexton drifted the conversion wide. 

Vital defensive shifts were required for Ireland to maintain their slender one point advantage.  Hugo Keenan made a tremendous tackle on the rampaging van der Merwe before Andrew Porter's intervention denied the hosts on the stroke of half time. 

A bitty start to the second half saw Ireland, despite losing both hookers, the sharper of the sides.  With Josh van der Flier aptly filling in though, the visitors assumed control. 

The reward came in a five-minute spell over the hour.  

First, James Lowe saw off Kyle Steyn to dot down in the corner after an amazing take under the high ball by Hansen. 

Conan then turned scorer, finishing out wide after Hansen crafted room for the replacement flanker.  Sexton's two excellent conversions gave Ireland a fifteen point buffer. 

In the closing stages, Robbie Henshaw made his comeback from injury which was offset by an unfortunate, and serious looking, head injury to Ringrose. 

Opportunities for the BP were limited but Lowe's ingenious pass and break was spoilt by James Ryan's fumble with the try line beckoning. 

So, with this result, Scotland's title hopes are over for another year, they will hope to finish with a flourish against Italy. 

But for Ireland the 2023 Six Nations and their Grand Slam remains firmly in their own control as a wounded England travel to the Aviva next Saturday.