Ireland keep grand slam dreams alive

Ireland beat Scotland 22-15 in a bruising Six Nations clash yesterday to close in on a first championship in 24 years and edge to within one victory of repeating their one and only grand slam of 1948.

A powerful Scottish effort gave the home side a 12-9 advantage at the break after full-back Chris Paterson outkicked Irish flyhalf Ronan O'Gara by four penalties to three.

Ireland's recalled scrumhalf Peter Stringer sent replacement number eight Jamie Heaslip away for his second try of the campaign and O'Gara followed up his conversion with a drop goal. He traded penalties with Paterson before the visitors saw the game out.

Ireland face defending champions Wales in Cardiff next week with a two-point lead on top of the standings and a much greater points-difference advantage as they hope to at least end their long championship drought.

Yesterday, Wales came from behind to keep their hopes alive with an unconvincing 20-15 win over Italy, in Rome.

Wing Shane Williams scored his 17th try in 17 games following nice work from Alun-Wyn Jones but three Andrea Marcato penalties gave the Italians a 9-7 half-time advantage. The visitors remained disjointed in the second half as Marcato and James Hook traded two penalties apiece. Replacement Tom Shanklin crossed for the decisive try eight minutes from time.

Today (16.00): England vs France.

Standings: Ireland 8; Wales 6; France 4; England, Scotland 2; Italy 0.