Scotland are within touching distance of their first ever European crown after beating Ireland 25-4 in Dublin this afternoon.
Their victory means that anything better than an 18-point defeat to France in Galashiels on Friday night will see Steve McCormack’s side win the European Championship and a place in the 2016 Four Nations.
The first half was best forgotten apart from an injury to Jobe Murphy that saw the Irishman stretchered off after a tackle by Joe Wardle.
Seconds before the break, Callum Phillips touched down Danny Brough’s kick to open the scoring and Brough added the goal.
With an hour gone, Scotland were only two scores ahead with Alex Hurst finishing off Wardle’s break as the game remained an error-strewn defensive battle. Scottish forwards Adam Walker and Josh Barlow impressed as the packs were on top.
But within seven minutes the game was up for Ireland. Brough dropped a goal, Danny Addy went over on the left and Brough converted for a 19-0 lead.
James Toole pulled a try back for the Wolfhounds following Haydn Peacock’s break and Shannon McDonell’s pass with seven minutes left, but there was still time for Addy to break and send in Oscar Thomas for the final try.
A full report and photographs from this game will feature in Monday’s issue of Rugby League Express.