Live Commentary: Ireland 28-22 Scotland - as it happened

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this evening's Rugby World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. With the World Cup edging ever closer, both of these sides will be eager to build some momentum heading into the tournament.

This is Ireland's second warm-up game following last weekend's comfortable 35-21 win over Wales in Cardiff, but for Scotland it's the first of four fixtures that they hope will get them up and running going into the tournament. Let's look at the teams...

IRELAND: Zebo, Bowe, Payne, D'Arcy, Fitzgerald, Madigan, Boss, Kilcoyne, Cronin, Ross, Toner, Tuohy, Conan, Henry, O'Brien
Replacements: Strauss, Bent, White, O'Connell, Murphy, Reddan, Jackson, Kearney

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made a whopping 14 changes to his side after seeing them dismantle Wales last week. The likes of Simon Zebo, Gordon D'Arcy, Mike Ross and Tommy Bowe all feature, while Sean O'Brien will captain the team. There's also a debut for Leinster flanker Jack Conan.

SCOTLAND: Jackson, Lamont, Vernon, Horne, Visser, Tonks, Pyrgos, Grant, Brown, Welsh, Hamilton, Gilchrist, Cowan, Blake, Denton
Replacements: Ford, Reid, Cusack, Harley, Barclay, Hidalgo-Clyne, Weir, Scott

There's also a debutant in the Scotland starting XV this evening as Edinburgh back-row Hugh Blake wins his first cap. Scrum-­half Henry Pyrgos will captain the visitors, who have experienced faces like Sean Lamont, Tim Visser and Blair Cowan in their side.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter, who signed a new contract earlier this week: "It's been important to get a good look at everyone over the last two months. The strength and conditioning team have worked hard to get more power and endurance from our players, while we've also focused a lot on basic skill sets.

"The successful application of these elements will enable us to perform the various forms of rugby that we would like to play; dominating collisions and using these skill sets to become better at making and executing decisions.

"These 23 players now have the first chance to stake a claim for the final 31-­man squad for the Rugby World Cup, against what we know is quality opposition."

© Getty Images

Ireland proved last week that they have incredible strength in depth by thrashing Wales with a weakened side. The same can't be said of Scotland, but there is sure to be plenty of competition for places in their squad ahead of the World Cup. Add the no-nonsense approach of Vern Cotter and you are sure to see lots of hungry Scottish players on the field tonight.

The captain's Jersey. Good luck @SeanOBrien1987 and the team #ShoulderToShoulder pic.twitter.com/bpQeFASXCQ — Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 15, 2015

Ireland played against the backdrop of a subdued crowd at the Millennium Stadium last weekend, but it would be a surprise if the fans inside the Aviva Stadium were just as unenthused tonight. The arena is filling at a steady rate as we head closer to kickoff.

Here come the teams! All rise for the national anthems...

The teams are out, the national anthems have been belted out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and now it's time for kickoff. It'll be Scotland to get us underway. Here we go!

It's been all Ireland during the opening few minutes, but they've come up against a robust Scotland defence so far. The pace of the game has been high.

The home side are still forcing the issue. They're spending more time in the Scotland half now and have already come out on top twice in the scrum. The visitors are having to stay on their toes as the Irish look to make the breakthrough.

Ireland have a chance to break after some quick passing on the half-way line. Zebo picks the ball up on the left before trying to offload to Fitzgerald, but he gets it all wrong and the pass goes out of play.

It's been a pretty scrappy affair during the last few minutes. Both teams are struggling to keep hold of the ball, and play is being disrupted by some petty errors.

Zebo goes some way to redeeming himself for that poor pass earlier by making an electric break through the centre, showing just how much pace he possesses. He's eventually tackled, but that certainly got the crowd on their feet.

Ireland finally make the breakthrough as Chris Henry goes over for the first try of the game. It was a patient move from the hosts as they made steady ground inside the Scotland 22 before Henry bundled his way over, showing plenty of power.

CONVERSION! IRELAND 7-0 SCOTLAND (MADIGAN) No mistake from the boot of Ian Madigan, who confidently kicks between the posts.

Ireland are continuing to dominate play. Their set-piece has improved since the start of the match, which should please Joe Schmidt. Meanwhile, the passing is crisp and the movement is making it very difficult for the Scots to get a hold on things.

The hosts have reduced the mistakes in the last few minutes, but Scotland are still breaking up play with some bitty errors. They've collapsed the scrum a couple of times now, gifting Ireland the initiative. The Scots have already conceded five penalties this evening.

Ireland have enjoyed a whopping 91% of possession during the last 10 minutes, which should give you some indication of just how on top they've been. Scotland have done no attacking whatsoever. They've hardly been in the Irish half.

Here is that @chrishenry678 try that has @IrishRugby 7-0 up over @Scotlandteam! pic.twitter.com/DnBPPs4mOV — Inpho Photography (@Inphosports) August 15, 2015

Ireland push for a second try as O'Brien comes close to getting on the end of Bowe's grubber kick. However, the Scotland backs are alert to the danger and make sure it comes to nothing. Bowe showed great vision there.

From absolutely nowhere Scotland get themselves on the scoreboard with a lovely try. Denton powers his way past a couple of Irish shirts before the ball finds Vernon. He then offloads to Cowan, who touches down with ease.

CONVERSION! IRELAND 7-7 SCOTLAND (HORNE) Horne keeps his composure to kick between the posts and get Scotland level.

Ireland could easily be out of sight at this point. However, a failure to make anything of their possession means that Scotland are very much in this. It's quite incredible how the Scots have been allowed to get themselves into this game.

It's the Scots who are in the ascendancy as we edge towards the half-time whistle. The visitors are looking much more dynamic now, with some hard running coming from the midfield. Ireland are needing to stay on their toes now.

Well, what an odd first half of rugby that was. Ireland were absolutely dominant during the opening 20 minutes, but it was Scotland who were on top as the half wore on. The hosts really should be ahead.

It's been scrappy at times, that's for sure. While the match certainly has that feel of a warm-up, it's a surprise that Ireland have struggled to recapture the form that they showed in Cardiff last weekend. For all of their possession, Joe Schmidt's men have lacked that spark in attack.

Vern Cotter is likely to be the happier of the coaches. It was starting to look as if the visitors weren't going to threaten, but they cranked up the pressure towards the end of the half and looked dangerous. The result doesn't matter this evening, though Cotter would be delighted to see his players leave Dublin with a positive result

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are back out for the second half, and it will be Ireland to kick us off.

TRY! IRELAND 7-12 SCOTLAND (PYRGOS) Scotland have looked bright since the restart and they've been rewarded with a try from captain Henry Pyrgos. The visitors put some persistent pressure on Ireland, staying on the front foot before the skipper uses his quick feet to force himself over the line.

CONVERSION MISSED! It's a tricky one for Horne to make, and the fly-half misses the posts.

Bad news for Scotland as Ryan Grant is forced off with what looks like a serious injury. Here's hoping that his chances of making the Rugby World Cup remain intact.

A big chance missed for Scotland as they switch play from left to right. Denton receives the ball, but he fails to offload the ball and the move breaks down. The Scots had bags of space to exploit on that right side. The visitors are pushing hard for a third try here.

It's got scrappy again in the last few moments, with the ball pinging about a fair bit. However, it's still Scotland who are dominating. Ireland look a bit spent and lacking in ideas. They're in need of some inspiration quickly if they want to give their fans something to shout about.

Just like that, Ireland get themselves level. A lineout on the left is well won by the hosts before Cronin controls the maul from the back, pushing it towards the line. The hooker then breaks away to touch down.

CONVERSION! IRELAND 14-12 SCOTLAND (MADIGAN) No mistake from Madigan again as he whips the ball between the posts. Ireland lead.

The shifts in momentum this evening have been quite something. Now it's Ireland who are in the ascendancy. Just over 20 minutes left to play in Dublin and it's pretty tricky to see how this one will end up.

PENALTY! IRELAND 14-15 SCOTLAND (HORNE) The Scots win themselves a penalty around 25 yards from the posts, which Peter Horne successfully kicks.

Boom! Ireland regain the lead thanks to a superb try from Simon Zebo. The hosts have Madigan to thank for it really, with his perfectly-timed offload inside allowing Zebo to go over.

CONVERSION! IRELAND 21-15 SCOTLAND (MADIGAN) Normal service from Madigan, who boots the ball between the posts.

The tries continue to flow as Peter Horne touches down for Scotland! Greig Tonks makes an aggressive break through the heart of the Ireland defence before Horne is picked out to score.

CONVERSION! IRELAND 21-22 SCOTLAND (JACKSON) Ruaridh Jackson takes over the kicking duties and adds the extras to Horne's try.

Whoa! The momentum swings Ireland's way once again as Luke Fitzgerald scores a beauty! Madigan's ambitious cross-field kick is collected by Fitzgerald on the left, and he bursts towards the line to touch down. Clinical stuff from the Irish.

CONVERSION! IRELAND 28-22 SCOTLAND (MADIGAN) Madigan has been hugely impressive this afternoon, and he added to his own personal points tally by converting the try.

PENALTY MISSED! IRELAND 28- 22 SCOTLAND It's one of the easier kicks that he's had to make this afternoon, but Madigan puts the ball off target to let Scotland off the hook.

Time is running out for Scotland to get something out of this game. While the result is not all that important this evening, the visitors will be disappointed if they leave Dublin with nothing to show for their efforts.

Well deserved...

Well done Zeebs! @SimonZebo is named Man of the Match in the Aviva #IREvSCO #Zebooooooo — Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) August 15, 2015

The full-time whistle goes and it's Ireland who have the win following an entertaining second half in Dublin. It was a topsy-turvy match in the end, but Joe Schmidt's side did just about enough to deserve the win. That's all from our live text coverage of tonight's game, we hope to see you again soon.