MATCH SUMMARY Scotland: (0) 6 Try: McConnell Goal: Morton Ireland: (10) 12 Try: Fitzpatrick, Gaskell Goals: Handforth, Treacy

Two tries in the opening half-hour from Salford half-back Karl Fitzpatrick and Warrington winger Dean Gaskill helped put Ireland 10-0 ahead.

Although Scotland had most of the second-half possession, they could not find a way through the Irish defence.

Billy Treacy's penalty extended Ireland's lead but Scotland managed a late try from skipper Dave McConnell.

Fitzpatrick gave Ireland a promising start and then turned provider for the second, intercepting a Scotland attack and racing 70m before offloading to Gaskill, whose effort was converted by Castleford's Paul Handforth.

Scotland badly missed the influence of Hull scrum-half Danny Brough, who came on as a replacement but only lasted 12 minutes before being carried off with a bruised fibula.

McCormack's 76th-minute effort, converted by Gareth Morton, gave them a glimmer of hope.

But debutant Mick Nanyn knocked-on as his side mounted a final assault and the chance of victory disappeared.

Victory for Ireland over Wales in Dublin next weekend will secure them a second successive appearance in the European Nations Cup Final.

In the other group, hooker Roman Ovchinnikov scored two tries as Russia defied heavy rain to beat Georgia 48-14.

Scotland: Liddell, Steel, Nanyn, Morton, Flockhart, McConnell, Henderson, R. McDonald, Fisher, Fletcher, I. Morrison, I. Morrison, Wilkes, Marsh. Replacements: Brough, Szostak, Surtees, McPhail.

Ireland: Cummins, Platt, Littler, Stewart, Gaskell, Fitzpatrick, Gambles, O'Connor, Handforth, McDermott, McNicholas, G. Corcoran, Finnigan. Replacements: Purdue, Haggerty, Treacy, O'Riordan.

Referee: Jason Robinson (Australia).