Ireland moved to within one win of a first Grand Slam since 1945 after a brilliant fightback handed them a 22-15 RBS 6 Nations victory over Scotland.

The visitors were second best in an attritional first half at Murrayfield but their ferocious forward power was simply too much for their opponents after the break, with Jamie Heaslip's try proving decisive.

Ronan O'Gara kicked 17 points - in the process becoming the Five and Six Nations' all-time leading scorer - while Chris Paterson booted five penalties for Scotland, who have now lost eight straight Six Nations games to Ireland.

The encounter was rarely easy on the eye with the scarcity of try-scoring opportunities making the contribution of the kickers all the more important.

A huge gap opened up for Stringer at the base of a line-out and the alert Munster veteran needed no second invitation. Racing free on the diagonal, he turned Paterson inside out before picking out Heaslip on his shoulder and the Leinster back row stormed over.