Wales end Ireland's Slam dream
Wales held on in the face of a fierce second-half comeback by Ireland to record a famous 23-16 win in Cardiff on Saturday.
The victory not only ended Ireland's Grand Slam dream, but kept alive Wales' own chances of winning the Six Nations and blew the Six Nations race wide.
It was Ireland's first loss of the competition, but they clung to first place on the standings, edging Wales on points difference – with both sitting on six point and awaiting the outcome of England's encounter with Scotland later in the day.
Five Leigh Halfpenny penalties, a Dan Biggar drop-goal and a try from replacement Scott Williams ended Ireland's hopes of a first Grand Slam since 2009.
Joe Schmidt's side had Wales worried with a penalty try 10 minutes from time converted by Jonathan Sexton, who also hit three first-half penalties, but Halfpenny brought Ireland's 10-match winning streak to an end with a decisive late penalty.
Wales set the tone for an early onslaught by reclaiming the kick-off after Ireland fullback Rob Kearney was beaten in the air.
Warren Gatland's men went on the attack and forced Ireland to creep offside, and referee Wayne Barnes was quick to give Halfpenny a nerve-settling shot at goal.
He converted to give Wales a 3-0 advantage after just two minutes.
Ireland's troubles continued from the restart when Jonathan Davies fended off Sexton to spark another promising Welsh attack.
Schmidt's premier playmaker only picked himself up to give away a penalty for not rolling away, which Halfpenny converted to extend their lead.
Ireland had been given two warning shots by Halfpenny, but had not learned their lesson and offended again four minutes later when a bruising hit from Gethin Jenkins forced the returning Jamie Heaslip to hold on in the tackle.
Halfpenny carried on his imperious kicking form to put Wales 9-0 ahead from the halfway line.
Ireland's indiscipline was starting to become an issue for Schmidt and Jack McGrath received a stern word from Barnes after again refusing to release at a tackle.
Halfpenny made it four penalties from four before Ireland finally got a foothold in the game.
They made their first foray into Welsh territory after 15 minutes and won a kickable penalty 20 metres out, but Sexton's nightmare start continued as he pulled his kick wide.
But he did get his side on the scoreboard a minute later after Scott Baldwin hit Tommy Bowe with a high tackle.
Both sides had been warned for their first-half infringements, but Wales had not heeded their warning and skipper Sam Warburton was sent to the sin-bin for not releasing after a tackle.
Sexton shook off his early wobbles to notch Ireland's second three-pointer, and added a third after Biggar had restored the nine point lead with a well-timed drop-goal.
Ireland came out firing in the second-half, but Wales were just as staunch in defence.
Gatland's men survived a total of 46-phases of pressure just metres from their line, but were allowed to clear when Sexton dived in at a resulting ruck.
Wales took their momentum back downfield and made some inroads of their own, before replacement centre Scott Williams sent Ireland's Grand Slam hopes into disarray.
He latched onto Biggar's pass before he sold Bowe a dummy and outpaced the scrambling Jamie Heaslip to score.
Halfpenny could not convert and the Six Nations front-runners made them pay.
They battered the Welsh line once more but their 17th knock on thwarted another promising attack.
But they made no mistake from the next wave. Wales had given a penalty away in the build-up, and referee Barnes was forced to award a penalty try when they dragged the rumbling maul down over the line. Sexton converted and Welsh nerves were jangling with 10 minutes left.
But Halfpenny handed Wales a seven-point lead with his fifth penalty four minutes from time and the home side held on to deny Ireland.
Man of the match: Paul O'Connell and Rory Best were the pistons on the diesel engine up front, Jamie Heaslip did an enormous amount of work on defence and in carrying the ball up. Jarred Payne and Jonathan Sexton were the backline masters for Ireland, with Payne the main battering ram when Ireland attacked the advantage line. The biggest impact for Ireland came from their bench – in the form of hooker Sean Cronin and scrumhalf Eoin Reddan. Sam Warburton put his body on the line for Wales, although not always legal, while all the forwards deserve praise for their hard work. Leigh Halfpenny was the man that kicked the goals and Dan Biggar slotted a crucial first-half drop-goal, but Rhys Webb was the general that gave the Welsh direction. However, our award goes to the entire Welsh team for the brave defence in the face of the fierce Irish onslaught in the second half – at one stage holding out for 30-odd phases inside their 22.
Moment of the match: Scott Williams scored the first try in the 63rd minute and for many that would be the stand-out moment. The Irish penalty try was also crucial. However, there were two crucial moments around the 50 minutes mark in the one Ireland took the ball through 30-odd phases inside the Welsh 22 and soon afterwards their battered at the Welsh line through 15 phases – the Welsh defence repelling them on both occasions. That wins our award.
Villain of the match: It was a game of brutal intensity, but nothing nasty.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Try: S Williams
Pens: Halfpenny 5
DG: Biggar
For Ireland:
Try: Penalty try
Con: Sexton
Pens: Sexton 3
Yellow cards: Sam Warburton (Wales, 28 – repeated offences, not releasing at the tackle), Jonathan Davies (Wales, 78 – professional foul, deliberately slapping the ball away)
Teams:
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Aaron Jarvis, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Scott Williams.
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Simon Zebo, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 5 Paul O'Connell (captain), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Jack McGrath.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Martin Moore, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Felix Jones.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: Jerome Garces (France), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
Agence France-Presse & rugby365
