DONEGAL rugby star Larissa Muldoon and Nora Stapleton are celebrating tonight after helping Ireland’s Women wrap up the Triple Crown with a convincing 30-3 RBS 6 Nations win over Scotland.
Ireland’s third victory from three matches this season maintains their push for the Grand Slam and also rubber-stamped their qualification for the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Scotland, who had failed to score a point in their opening two defeats to England and Italy, did take the lead at Lasswade – centre Lisa Ritchie kicking the hosts ahead with an early penalty.
But back came Ireland and impressive full-back Niamh Briggs leveled things up on 23 minutes before the first try of the match arrived – Miller, who scored a hat-trick against England – finishing off a sweeping move in the corner.
Scotland refused to wilt however and exerted considerable pressure on Ireland in the closing stages of the first half – only for a crucial turnover from Ashleigh Baxter to ensure that the visitors held on for an 8-3 lead at the break.
Still the Irish didn’t having things their own way in the second half and continued errors saw Scotland grow in confidence.
But when Briggs landed a penalty after Scotland fly-half Tanya Griffith was sin-binned for persistent infringements, Ireland settled back into their stride and the floodgates duly opened.
Miller was the tormentor-in-chief again, clinically finishing off her fifth try in two matches, which Briggs converted before flanker Siobhan Fleming scored try number three for Ireland.
Briggs rounded off a fine individual performance with a try of her own but hit the upright with her conversion attempt, ending up with a personal haul of 15 points, securing Ireland their first ever Triple Crown.
Victory also means that Ireland, who host France next, are just two wins away from their maiden RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam.
15 Niamh Briggs
14 Ashleigh Baxter
13 Lynne Cantwell
12 Jenny Murphy
11 Alison Miller
10 Nora Stapleton
9 Larissa Muldoon
1 Fiona Coghlan
2 Gillian Bourke
3 Ailis Egan
4 Sophie Spence
5 Marie Louise Reilly
6 Siobhan Fleming
7 Claire Molloy
8 Joy Neville
Replacements:
16 Stacey-Lea Kennedy
17 Fiona Hayes
18 Lauren Day
19 Leigh Dargan
20 Laura Guest
21 Amy Davis
22 Grace Davitt
23 Niamh Kavanagh
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