Chloe Rollie’s second-half breakaway try inspired Scotland to a crucial away victory in Ireland, their first of this year’s Championship.
Helen Nelson kicked the only points of an intense first half that featured tight defence from both sides.
But then the second period exploded into life with Nelson’s five-pointer, a penalty try for Ireland and then Rollie’s length-of-the-pitch stunner.
Lana Skeldon converted and Ireland responded with Paula Fitzpatrick’s late try, but it wasn’t to be enough as the away side held on for a huge result at Donnybrook.
Ireland looked nervy early on, with the kick-off not going ten metres, and their visitors for the day notching the first points of the afternoon when Nelson knocked over a penalty.
Both sides showed intent to play enterprising rugby and on 22 minutes Scotland got the chance to double the lead but saw the kick slide just wide of the post.
The defences stayed on top for much of the half but Ireland looked stronger as half-time approached, with a pair of knock-ons relieving the pressure on Scotland just as it seemed their opponents would break through.
After the break, Scotland went on the attack and were rewarded for their efforts on 42 minutes as a spell of pressure resulted in an opportunity for centre Nelson to cross the line on an outside break, busting through the covering tackles.
The conversion was missed and at 8-0 down Ireland knew they must respond, powering their way downfield and eventually securing their first score through a penalty try on 50 minutes, the reward for a dominant scrum.
Five minutes later, Ireland were held up on the tryline once again, and eventually prop Megan Kennedy saw yellow for collapsing the scrum as the Scottish defence creaked.
The home side won another penalty and opted for the lineout but knocked on from the resultant phase to lose possession.
On 62 minutes came the key moment in the match as Ireland attacked inside the opposition 22 once again, before Scottish full-back Rollie intercepted a loose pass and ran the length of the pitch, evading Hannah Tyrrell’s desperate last-ditch tackle.
Skeldon added the extras but then as the final ten minutes approached Fitzpatrick got Ireland back in the contest, with a pick-and-go four metres out and unable to be stopped from that distance.
The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 15-12, with the home side showing plenty of ambition in the final ten minutes to edge themselves ahead.
Scotland managed to keep the ball in the Irish 22 for some of the closing stages with two attacking scrums, until a big hit in midfield from Katie Fitzhenry on Lisa Thomson wrestled back possession, with Thomson knocking on as she was tackled.
From the scrum through Ireland knocked on at the base, with one final lineout not resulting in a stable attacking platform and allowing Scotland to hold on for the win.
