Match report: Ireland Club XV 42-33 Scotland Club XV

13 February 2026; Andrew Mitchell of Scotland holds off Adam Maher of Ireland on his way to scoring his side's second try during the international clubs Dalriada Cup match between Ireland and Scotland at Energia Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Twenty years since the inaugural Club international match, history repeated itself when Ireland reclaimed the Dalriada Cup at Energia Park, Dublin.

Dwain Patterson got the match underway in Donnybrook and it was Scotland who set the tone by immediately testing the home defence when they opted for a maul off an early lineout.

Powerful carries from Jamie Shedden and captain Blair Macpherson kept Ireland pinned back, and Scotland looked certain to score before Ireland stripped the ball on the try line to keep the scoreboard at 0-0.

Ireland’s breakthrough came in the ninth minute after Conor Kelly’s pinpoint kick found Bobby Sheehan who got the first points of the encounter [7-0, 9 mins].

Scotland’s response was immediate. A slick skip pass from Bobby Beattie released Shedden into space, and he timed his pass perfectly to send Mitchell over the try line [7-5, 11 mins].

Mitchell struck again five minutes later, finishing sharply for his second try. Patterson added the extras this time, giving Scotland a well-deserved lead after a dominant opening display [7-12, 16 mins].

From inside their own half, Aaron Sexton sparked a move that went to Myles Carey before Adam Maher finished for Ireland under the posts. Kelly’s conversion restored their lead [14–12, 23 mins].

A lineout eight metres out and a well-organised maul from Ireland drove Scotland backwards, allowing Sheehan to crash over for his second try [21-12, 29 mins].

Minutes later, Scotland were penalised again. Kelly’s break and powerful carry split the defence created the perfect platform for Ronan Watters to score beneath the posts. The conversion pushed Ireland further clear [28-12, 33 mins].

Ireland continued to be relentless on attack and were awarded for their efforts when Conor Rankin slipped through the defence to set Sheehan up for his hat-trick, running away with the lead going into half-time [35-12, 36 mins].

Half-time: Ireland Club XV 35-12 Scotland Club XV

After failing to capitalise on opportunities in the first half, Scotland came into the second half with renewed purpose. Fraser Renwick’s patience at the maul paid off when Mitchell’s hat-trick edged them back into contention [35-19, 50 mins].

Ireland responded with a sense of authority. Aran Egan did brilliantly to find space and after some impressive footwork, forced his way over the for their fifth try [42-19, 55 mins]

Substitute Archie Barbour made an immediate impact for the men in blue, injecting tempo into the attack, and Gregor Christie capitalised to add his name to the scoresheet just two minutes later [42-26, 57 mins].

Ireland continued to probe the Scottish defence and when it looked like they were about to extend their lead, the try was ruled out after a forward pass, allowing Scotland to reset and refocus with less than twenty minutes on the clock.

With Scotland’s substitutes changing the dynamic of the game and Ireland down to 14 men after exhausting their bench, it was all to play for in the closing stages. Only two tries separated the sides and the visitors sensed opportunity.

Callum Anderson and Sam Wallace detected the space out wide, opening up for for Archie Barbour to score the fifth try and claw back into the game with just minutes left to play [42-33, 78 mins].

Despite their best efforts to keep the contest alive, a knock-on just before the final whistle ended Scotland’s hopes when Sam Owens kicked the ball dead and handed Ireland the victory.

Full-time: Ireland Club XV 42-33 Scotland Club XV

Scotland Club XV: Glenn Bryce (Stirling County RFC, vice-captain), Jamie Shedden (Ayr RFC), Andrew Mitchell (Hawick RFC), Bobby Beattie (Ayr RFC), Ben Pickles (Selkirk RFC); Dwain Patterson (Kelso RFC), Gregor Christie (Currie Chieftains); Jack Dobie (Melrose RFC), Fraser Renwick (Hawick RFC), Struan Cessford (Heriot’s Rugby), Angus Runciman (Melrose RFC), Oscar Baird (Ayr RFC), Ruairidh Leishman (Heriot’s Rugby), Tim Brown, Blair Macpherson (captain, both Ayr RFC).

Replacements: Elliot Young (Heriot’s Rugby) (for Renwick, 50 mins), Jamie Drummond (Ayr RFC) (for Dobie, 50 mins), Dan Gamble (Kelso RFC) (for Cessford, 40 mins), Ruaraidh Hart (Stirling County RFC) (for Baird, 55 mins), Sam Wallace (Heriot’s Rugby) (for Brown, 55 mins), Euan McKirdy (GHA RFC) (for Christie, 60 mins), Callum Anderson (Selkirk RFC) (for Bryce, 60 mins), Archie Barbour (Kelso RFC) (for Pickles, 55 mins).

Ireland Club XV: Conor Rankin, Sean French, Myles Carey, Aran Egan, Aaron Sexton; Conor Kelly, Adam Maher; David Begley, Bobby Sheehan, Luke Masters, Sean Rigney, Fionn Gilbert, Jack Kelleher (captain), Ronan Watters, Bradley Luney.

Replacements: Claytan Milligan, Marcus Hanan, Adam Tuite, Bailey Faloon, David Whitten, Sam Owens, Tadhg Bird, Adam La Grue.

Referee: Cai Lewis (Wales)

Assistant referees: Padraic Reidy and Kevin Beakey (both Ireland)

Player of the Match: Jack Kelleher (Ireland Club XV)