Ireland beats Scotland to win Triple Crown and finish second to France in Six Nations

DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland kept alive its Six Nations title hopes and buried Scotland's in a familiar-looking 43-21 victory to launch the final round on Saturday.

The Irish moved three points ahead of France, which hosted England in the day's last match in Paris. Ireland was two minutes from being crowned champion but France's Thomas Ramos kicked a last-second penalty to win the match and title 48-46.

Ireland finished second, two points behind the French, who crushed the Irish 36-14 on opening night in Paris.

The Irish at least won the Triple Crown for a fourth time in five seasons, denying the Scots their first sweep of the home nations since 1990.

“We are proud of how we have performed when we've had to and that's five trophies in five years for us,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said. “I know it's (another) Triple Crown but it's been hard to win over the years for Ireland and we're proud of that.”

Both sides began the match with title ambitions. But to win their first title since 1999, the Scots had ghosts to exorcize. They'd won only once in Dublin in 26 years, not since 2010, and never at Aviva Stadium. They'd also lost their last 11 contests to Ireland.

Ireland's modus operandi was power, controlling the gainline, and relentless pressure. They smashed a Scotland side that put 50 points and seven tries on hapless France last weekend.

“We saw what their attack was capable of last week and again today it came in waves, but our defense stood up and big moments helped keep them out,” Ireland captain Caelan Doris told broadcaster ITV.

“There were some calm heads in there which was helped by the fact we had scoreboard pressure throughout from a fast start which we aimed for as well. It felt composed out there and it was good.”

Ireland started fast again, scored six tries — three in each half — with five converted by Jack Crowley who added a penalty. Scotland trailed 19-7 at halftime and twice rallied to within five points, but each time Ireland had a quick response.

“I’m gutted,” Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu said. “We really set our sights on coming here and getting a result but Ireland were too good. We’ve made progression but we want to be where these guys are with a trophy.”

The game was intense and lively from the start.

The first scrum earned a penalty that moved Ireland into the Scotland 22. Fast hands fed fullback Jamie Osborne bursting between the posts for their quickest try of this championship, just after two minutes.

Scotland fired back in 19 phases. With big gains by forwards Jack Dempsey and George Turner, Finn Russell orchestrating, Darcy Graham finished out wide for his Scotland record-extending 38th try.

But an offside penalty against Graham sent Scotland reeling back to its tryline again, and Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan shot out of a collapsing maul for his 18th try, extending his Six Nations record for a forward.

Ireland was 19-7 ahead after 19 minutes with a try from first phase when midfielder Stuart McCloskey threw a huge pass to unmarked right wing Robert Baloucoune, whose pace beat the cover.

Ireland's defense in its 22 then turned over Scotland three times before halftime.

The Scottish backs finally clicked in the second half with tries by Russell and Rory Darge, but Ireland quickly restored 12-point leads after converted tries by Darragh Murray, a brief blood-bin replacement for the immense Tadhg Beirne, and winger Tommy O'Brien.

Crowley added a penalty to give Ireland a three-score lead and Irish supporters broke into song. Just for unnecessary gloss to the scoreline, O'Brien scored his second try of the match after Tuipulotu spilled the ball with time up.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Ireland's Caelan Doris, center, lifts the Triple Crown trophy with teammates after the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland, in Dublin, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)

Ireland's team celebrates after winning the "triple crown" trophy following the Six Nations rugby union match against Scotland, in Dublin, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Dan Sheehan, right, dives over the line to score a try as Scotland's captain Sione Tuipulotu tries to tackle him during the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland, in Dublin, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Scotland's Finn Russell, from, scores a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland, in Dublin, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Jamie Osborne, right, scores a try as teammate Dan Sheehan celebrates during the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland, in Dublin, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Robert Baloucoune, right, scores a try as Scotland's Darcy Graham watches on during the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland, in Dublin, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Ireland's Jamie Osborne, right, celebrates his teammates after scoring a try during the Six Nations rugby union match between Ireland and Scotland, in Dublin, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Mercedes was knocked off the podium for the first time this season when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished 1-2 for McLaren in Formula 1's sprint race Saturday at the Miami Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc was third for Ferrari in the 19-lap preview of Sunday's race at the Miami International Autodrome around the Hard Rock Stadium.

“It was a good race, nice to be back on the top stair even if it was a sprint," said Norris, who won from the pole. "It was hot out there, it was sweaty. I was trying to find that balance of pushing but also staying relaxed and not making mistakes.”

McLaren, like most teams, used a five-week break caused by race cancellations in the Middle East because of the war in Iran to make upgrades to its cars. The changes for the reigning world champion team clearly showed it has closed the gap on Mercedes, which has dominated so far this season.

The Formula 1 season ahead of Miami had been a clean sweep by Mercedes as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli combined to win the first three grand prix races and the sprint race in China. Russell won in Australia, while Antonelli won in China and Japan to take the lead in the world championship driver standings. Russell won the sprint race in China.

The Mercedes duo was blocked from the podium in Miami as Russell finished fourth and Antonelli was sixth after a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits dropped him behind Max Verstappen in the final finishing order.

“We know that we are a little out of sync with our upgrades compared to other teams. We were hoping we were going to be able to hold on to our advantage, and in terms of pure lap times, we were close to the pace at the front in the sprint," Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said. "This season is going to be a pure development race and whoever brings a few tenths before their competitors will gain an advantage.”

Verstappen was fifth for Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton for Ferrari was right behind him but finished seventh. The two had an early race incident in which Hamilton was ordered to give Verstappen his position back after passing him.

Cadillac, in its first event in the United States, was at the back of the field with drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas finishing 16th and 18th in the 22-driver field.

Norris, the reigning F1 champion, won the sprint race at Miami for the second consecutive year.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after winning a sprint auto race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Astronaut Reid Wiseman, right, poses for a photo with (from left) third place finisher McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia, first place finisher McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, and third place finisher Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco after a sprint auto race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

McLaren driver Lando Norris, right, of Britain and McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia steers their cars during a sprint auto race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia crosses the finish line during a sprint auto race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, Pool)

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain reacts after winning a sprint auto race at the Miami Formula One Grand Prix, Saturday, May 2, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)