Ireland qualify for World Cup - and go top of Six Nations

Ireland recorded their biggest away victory for over 11 years - and more importantly qualified for next year's World Cup - with a comprehensive 23-0 win over Scotland in Edinburgh tonight.

Architect of the victory was again Nimah Briggs. The 24 year-old full-back - currently the best goal kicker in Europe, if not the world - scored all the points in the first half (two penalties and a try) as Ireland went into the break 11-0 ahead. Two more tries in the second half from Tina Rosser and Lynne Cantwell, along with a conversion from Briggs, rounded off a dominant performance by the Irish. 

Briggs has now scored 37 of Ireland's 78 points - the best ever individual performance by an Irishwoman in what is already Irelands best ever Six Nations - and they still have one more game to go. The result also puts Ireland to the top of the table - for the next 36 hours or so, at least - but more importantly ensures that they will be at the World Cup in London next year as they are now assured of finishing ahead of both Italy and Scotland in this year's championship.