Ireland stayed on course for the Grand Slam after surviving a torrid match to beat Scotland 22-15 in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Ireland trailed 12-9 at the break against a powerful Scotland side showing unexpected flair in the backs, but the visitors improved in the second period and got the crucial score when Jamie Heaslip touched down in the 51st minute.

After rallying from a halftime deficit for the first time in nine years, Ireland goes into next week's match at Wales knowing it is almost certainly the title decider.

"The performance was very average but it's all about next weekend," said flyhalf Ronan O'Gara, who kicked 17 points to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer.

Second-place Wales won 20-15 at Italy on Saturday despite having trailed for much of the match, although France could also be in contention for the title if it wins at England on Sunday.

Having thrown away chances for a Grand Slam in recent seasons, Ireland's players appeared to be getting increasingly nervous as they approach the final round and the possibility of a first sweep since 1948.

Convincing wins over France and Italy were followed by a disappointingly slim 14-13 win over England two weeks ago and Ireland stuttered again at Murrayfield.

"We knew it was going to be tough coming over here, every Test match is, especially away from home," Ireland coach Declan Kidney said. "There was a lot of pressure and expectation."

Heaslip, though, put Ireland ahead for the first time and his team never let go of the advantage.

Scrumhalf Peter Stringer, one of four changes to the team that beat England, darted through the defence and flipped a one-handed pass behind him for Heaslip to collect and go over.

O'Gara's conversion helped him on his way to a tally that established a new Six Nations record of 492, putting him ahead of Jonny Wilkinson.

The Ireland flyhalf hit a quickly taken drop goal to calm his team and rounded off the scoring with his fourth penalty, but he was overshadowed by Chris Paterson in the first half.

The Scotland fullback, recalled after sitting out the first three rounds, struck four times to put the home side 12-9 ahead at halftime.

The victory took Ireland, the only unbeaten side in the tournament, to eight points from four matches, two more than Wales. Only a big win for the Welsh is likely to deny Ireland the title.

Ireland has not won the competition since 1985 and completed its only perfect season back in 1948.

Although Wales outscored Italy by two tries to none, the defending champions only scored the second of those with nine minutes left to go 18-15 ahead.

Wales needs to beat Ireland by 13 points next week to retain the title, so its failure to score more against the last-place side in Rome could end up being crucial.

"I didn't feel that Italy really challenged our line but they stayed in the game with their goal kicking," Wales coach Warren Gatland said. "We looked dangerous when we ran with the ball; we just didn't do it enough."

The crucial score came when James Hook drew in a tackler and slipped a pass to Tom Shanklin, who had just come on as a replacement. The centre shaped as though he was about to pass out wide to Gavin Henson on the left wing but instead cut inside and touched down.

Hook converted to leave Italy needing to score a try it had barely threatened despite dominating a disjointed Wales team showing nine changes from the one that lost 21-16 at France two weeks ago.

"I think we played a great team with great players," Italy No.8 Sergio Parisse said. "Sometimes in the second half we didn't keep the ball. We just gave the ball to Wales."

Man-of-the-match Parisse had dominated the loose play with his tackling, covering and slick off loads, while Andrea Marcato kicked five penalties.

He had already hit his first when Shane Williams touched down for Wales' first try in the 25th, going over from close range following a pass by Henson.

Hook's conversion made it 7-3, but Italy led 9-7 within nine more minutes after two more kicks and did not trail again until Shanklin's score.

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