Andy Farrell praised the character of his Grand Slam-chasing Ireland side after they overcame the loss of five players to injury on their way to a hard-fought 22-7 win over Scotland.
Ireland had to replace Dan Sheehan, Caelan Doris and Iain Henderson in the opening 24 minutes at BT Murrayfield and then found themselves playing the closing half hour without a recognised hooker after Ronan Kelleher – who had taken over from Sheehan in the first half – went off early in the second half, leaving prop Cian Healy to deputise at hooker.
Ireland suffered further woe in the closing stages when Garry Ringrose – on his 50th cap – was taken off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask on after suffering a head injury.
By that point, the Irish were on course for a crucial victory after tries from Mack Hansen, James Lowe and Jack Conan cancelled out Huw Jones’ score for the Scots.