Plan B Forum

Wales shattered Irish hopes of a Grand Slam and kept themselves in Six Nations title contention with a gripping win in Cardiff.




Leigh Halfpenny kicked Wales into an early 12-0 lead but three Johnny Sexton penalties cut Ireland's deficit to 15-9 in a pulsating first half. Wales defended heroically after the restart, before Scott Williams scored a crucial try. A late penalty try gave Ireland hope, but Wales held firm.

Wales may only have a slim chance of winning a fifth Six Nations title in 11 seasons, but this dramatic win against Ireland was a significant one. And, after a week where coaches and former players spoke about their worry that rugby was becoming boring, this nerve-shredding match was the perfect riposte. As reigning champions and current Six Nations leaders, Ireland were marginal favourites for this eagerly anticipated encounter.

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Joe Schmidt paid tribute to the Welsh defence after the game Their march to the top of the table had not been universally popular, however, with head coach Joe Schmidt's approach leading some commentators to describe their domination as dour. In a start akin to Ireland's win over England, Wales stifled their opponents with ferocious physicality in defence and ruthless efficiency with the ball, racing into an early 12-0 lead thanks to four Halfpenny penalties.

Ireland eventually composed themselves and two Sexton penalties halved their deficit. A yellow card for Wales captain Sam Warburton seemed to swing the momentum in Ireland's favour, but a Dan Biggar drop-goal cancelled out another Sexton penalty to give Wales a 15-9 half-time lead.