Any thoughts that they may struggle were banished early on as they raced into a twelve point lead in the opening minutes; thanks to a Laidlaw try converted by Dods, who also added two penalties.
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With the wind at their backs in the second period, Ireland did improve and briefly threatened as they pulled the score back to 9-22, but a try by Keith Robertson, again converted by Dods ended home thoughts of a comeback. It fell to Dods himself to round off the afternoon with Scotland's fourth and final try in a 32-9 success.
Although Scotland had home advantage in their final game against the French, no-one expected them to have an easy game as they went in search of their first Grand Slam since 1925. With France also having won their first three matches, it was a winner-takes-all situation in front of a packed Murrayfield crowd.
The visitors took the game to the Scots early on, and despite an early Dods penalty, the French seemed to be in charge as they led 6-3 at the break and soon after extended that margin to 9-3. Dods slotted two penalties to bring the scores level, before a Lescarboura drop goal again put Les Blues ahead.
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From a line-out almost on the French goal-line, Jim Calder took a clean catch and plunged over to give the Scots a dramatic lead. Dods again kept his nerve with the boot and Scotland now held a six point advantage. Even with time running out, the French still had the chance to draw level, but when Dods kicked another penalty to bring his personal tally for the season to 50 points, Scotland's 21-12 victory was assured.
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