Ireland suffered further woe in the closing stages when Garry Ringrose – on his 50th cap – was taken off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask on after suffering a head injury.

The horrible moment occurred at Murray field on Sunday.

The 28-year-old center attempted to stop a Scotland attack but his head sickeningly whacked off rival Blair Kinghorn's thigh.

Then concerns were quickly raised as he flopped around to the ground, grabbing his forehead, before then going limp.

Medics raced onto the field to perform treatment on the Leinster ace as the game came to a halt.

Then, after a lengthy delay, he was stretchered off while receiving oxygen.

Ringrose did try to offer some encouragement over his condition as he exited the pitch as raised his hand to give a thumbs up.

It was a bittersweet afternoon for the 6ft 2in the powerhouse.

Today's appearance was Ringrose's 50th cap for his country.

Meanwhile, Andy Farrell's Ireland side kept their Grand Slam hopes alive after a hard-fought 22-7 win against Scotland.

Gregor Townsend's side put it up to Ireland in the opening half after Ireland failed to get going early on with several missed tackles.

But a terrific Mack Hansen tries in the corner on 28 minutes turned the tide for the visitors, who lost Dan Sheehan, Caelan Doris, and Iain Henderson to injury in the first half.

Ireland went into the break 8-7 ahead after a tense opener.

But it was a different story in the second half as Farrell's men pulled away from the Scots after a devastating display of finishing.

Man of the Match Mack Hansen was involved again as a Jamison Gibson-Park box-kick found drew the Scots defense, James Lowe eventually get over in the corner with Johnny Sexton converting.

Jack Conan went over again just two minutes later after another huge contribution from Mack Hansen, whose perfectly-timed pass finds the Wicklow man, who touches down in the corner.

A Grand Slam game now awaits against England next week in Dublin.