Sexton atoned with a penalty in the 50th minute, his last action before being replaced by Ronan O'Gara and the Munster man landed a superb touchline conversion when Tommy Bowe scored a try in the 64th minute to tie the game 17 points apiece.

Parks edged Scotland ahead but O'Gara tied it once more with another successful effort two minutes later and when Robert Kearney was penalised for holding on, Parks landed the winner.

Ireland had a 10th minute try from Brian O'Driscoll converted by Johnny Sexton to take a 7-3 lead after Dan Parks had opened the scoring with a 5th minute penalty.

However, the Scots struck backwith a Johnnie Beattie try followed by another Parks penalty before the Scottish out-half landed an injury  time drop goal for a seven point lead going into the break.