Ireland, who fielded one debutant in Maurice Noonan, looked like they were heading for a large win, but in the end had to settle for a “mere” 68-34 victory.

It took just 20 seconds for Ireland to take the lead. Toby Burton-Carter scored in the corner, Pete Johnston couldn’t land the conversion.

Burton-Carter was over again on eight minutes, with Johnston’s kick putting the score onto 10-0.

It was 22-0 on 14 minutes. Johnston going through for two quick tries, converting both himself.

Finally, Scotland struck back on 20 minutes when Calum Davidson sped down the wing to score. John Wilians converted.

Wilians followed that up with a try of his own, with Dan Grant unable to land the kick.

Ireland were next on the scoresheet, against the run of play, after Joe Calcott intercepted and sped nearly the full length of the pitch to score. Johnston converted.

He soon followed that up with a second try. Johnston converted before adding a superbly taken try in the corner for his hat-trick, and adding an equally good goal.

Johnston scored in the opposite corner on the dot of half-time, converting again to put Ireland coasting at 46-10 up at the break.

Calcott completed his hat-trick within a minute of the second half starting to bring up the 50, adding the goal himself.

Scotland struck back again with an unconverted Mike Grant try but Ireland soon addressed the balance through Oran Spain’s score that Calcott improved.

Paralympian James McCarthy was next on the board for the Irish to put them 62-14 up with 17 minutes gone in the half.

It was a special moment for Dave Hill as he scored the next try, on his debut for Scotland, an unconverted score in the corner.

Phil Roberts was next to score with Johnston converting to put them 68-18 up, but Scotland finished the strongest scoring the final three tries.

Hill scored two more tries to complete a debut hat-trick with Wilians converting the first of them.

A Davidson try, converted by Wilians completed the scoring. 

By Ian Golden, Sporting Records Online Ltd