6N: Ireland rebounds to beat Scotland 22-13 at Murrayfield
AP
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Ireland kept alive its Six Nations title defense at Murrayfield by grinding down Scotland 22-13 on Saturday.

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Ireland's Keith Earls scores their third try during the the Six Nations rugby union international match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Feb. 9, 2019. (Photos: AP)

After being crunched by England on the opening weekend in Dublin, Ireland had to rebound far from home against a Scotland side confident it had the steel and flair to end Ireland's championship reign in the second round.

But after a breathless first half which the Irish edged 12-10, they scored a third soft try for some breathing room and their defense limited Scotland to just a penalty.

Ireland's game management was made easier by Scotland committing 15 handling errors, more than twice as many as the Irish. Unlike in the first half, the Scots couldn't get a foothold in the Irish 22 or sustain an attack.

Ireland's regulation win was given some shine by the comeback effort of Joey Carbery, who replaced injured playmaker Jonathan Sexton after only 23 minutes. Carbery almost immediately gave Scotland its only try from an intercept, but he created the only try in the second half and kicked a penalty to deny the Scots even a losing bonus point at home.

Cover image: Scotland's Rhys Finn Russell is challenged by Ireland's Bundee Aki, left, and Cian Healy during the the Six Nations rugby union international match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Feb. 9, 2019.