A superb try from full-back Shane Layden set them on the way before the outstanding Luke McGrath and back-rower Jack Conan ensured Mike Ruddock's team made it four wins from four.

Captain and fly-half Paddy Jackson also contributed 11 points and they now travel to England, who are due to face France on Saturday, in what has the hallmarks of a Championship decider.

Ireland, with a dominant set piece, made the early running and it was Layden who made the breakthrough on his home ground as the Buccaneers flyer scorched his way down the left hand side before kicking ahead and collecting his own chip to score a sensational try.

Scotland were struggling to contain Layden and although they just prevented him grabbing a second try they could not stop Jackson adding a penalty as they trailed 8-0.

In attack the visitors threatened intermittently with winger Michael Crawley almost going over for a try before McGrath got back to cover.

The first half, however, petered out for both sides as Harry Leonard and Jackson were off target with penalty attempts.

Jackson made amends early in the second half with two penalties in quick succession to take Ireland 14-0 clear.

Still Scotland were not making things easy for the 2010 champions particularly when the contested for possession at the breakdown.

But Ireland were able to put the game to bed when Conan peeled off a scrum and fed his scrum-half McGrath who raced over.

They rounded things off with six minutes remaining when Conan again came off the back of an advancing Irish scrum and this time declined other options, relying on his brute power to get over the line.

Cathal Marsh, who replaced Jackson, missed the conversion but that could not take the gloss off another efficient Irish performance.