Plan B Forum

Ireland (10) 21

Tries: Best, Bowe
Con: Sexton
Pens: Sexton 3

Wales (5) 23

Tries: Davies 2, North
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 2

Wales staged a thrilling late comeback to launch their Six Nations campaign with a stunning victory over a crushed Ireland in Dublin.

Leigh Halfpenny's last-gasp penalty sealed a remarkable victory in a see-saw encounter in which the lead changed hands five times.

The visitors led 5-3 after the first of two tries for centre Jonathan Davies, but Rory Best's score gave the Irish a 10-5 interval lead.

Davies's second try put Wales back in front before Tommy Bowe appeared to have given Ireland victory, only for a George North try and Halfpenny's kick to steal it from under their noses.

Wales, exhibiting much of the free-flowing rugby that marked their run to the World Cup semi-finals, appeared to have blown their chance when Halfpenny failed to convert North's try from out on the left touchline with four minutes left.

But the visitors persisted and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris conceded a penalty 30 metres out, which Halfpenny - who had taken over the kicking duties from Rhys Priestland - drilled between the uprights.

Until that point it appeared the goalkicking failures that cost Wales so dearly at the World Cup would come back to haunt them, with Priestland missing two penalties and a conversion.

But Halfpenny held his nerve to condemn Ireland to their first defeat in the opening game of the Championship for eight years.

Six Nations: Wales 27-13 Scotland

Wales (3) 27

Tries: Cuthbert, Halfpenny 2
Con: Halfpenny 3
Pen: Halfpenny 2

Scotland (3) 13

Tries: Laidlaw
Con: Laidlaw
Pen: Laidlaw 2

Shane Williams to face Wales for Barbarians in final farewell

Shane Williams is set to end his career by playing for the Barbarians against Wales in Cardiff on 2 June.
Williams retired from Wales duty in December after scoring a last-minute try in the 24-18 loss to Australia.
The 34-year-old has brought forward his retirement from all rugby by 12 months to walk away at the end of this season.
"I've played for the Barbarians once before. When I was offered the chance to play this summer I had no hesitation in accepting the honour," he said.
"The Barbarians is a wonderful institution and sums up everything that is good about the game of rugby.
"To have a chance to finish by playing against Wales in Cardiff is an incredible opportunity and will bring my career full circle."

French Federation President Pierre Camou has requested the postponed Six Nations clash with Ireland be rescheduled for next season!

France's squad announcement on Tuesday had a twist in the tail when Camou, France's representative on the Six Nations Commitee Jacques Laurans and FFR Treasurer René Hourquet addressed the gathered press.

The French rugby chiefs insist that playing the fixture this season would cause a number of problems as it would clash with their domestic league but Camou admitted that he doubts their request to play the game in September will be given much consideration.

"We're in a very unusual year that has already seen a long series of fixture clashes because of the World Cup. France wants the match to be played next season due to the scheduling problems presented by the Top 14," he said.

Saturday's game at the Stade de France fell victim to the freezing conditions just minutes before kick-off.

The Six Nations organising committee have confirmed that the fixture will "not take place this weekend (February 17/18/19)."

Six Nations: England 12-19 Wales


ENGLAND (9) 12

Pens: Farrell 4

WALES (6) 19

Try: S Williams
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 4

Wales seized their 20th Triple Crown in dramatic fashion after a hugely controversial ending to a gripping contest at Twickenham.

Scott Williams' brilliant steal, kick-ahead and try with five minutes remaining put Wales ahead for the first time after four penalties apiece from Owen Farrell and Leigh Halfpenny had the teams locked together at 12-12.

With time up, replacement Mike Brown put David Strettle over on the right but after several minutes of deliberation, television match official Iain Ramage ruled the winger had failed to ground the ball.

It means Wales now have the Grand Slam in their sights and handed England interim coach Stuart Lancaster his first defeat in charge.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17141687

Six Nations: Wales 24-3 Italy


Wales (9) 24

Tries: Roberts, Cuthbert
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 3, Priestland

Italy (3) 3

Pen: Bergamasco

Wales were made to toil but stayed on course for a tilt at a third Six Nations Grand Slam in eight years with a scratchy win over Italy in Cardiff.

The Azzurri defence held firm in the first half, the hosts restricted to three Leigh Halfpenny penalties.

Mirco Bergamasco landed one for Italy before Jamie Roberts charged clear to score 10 minutes into the second half.

But Wales had to wait until three minutes from time before Alex Cuthbert grabbed a second try.

Their only other score was a Rhys Priestland penalty, while Halfpenny was in the sin-bin after a clumsy challenge on Italy captain Sergio Parisse in the air.

While Wales will turn their sights to completing a clean sweep against France, the Azzurri will aim to avoid another Wooden Spoon when they take on Scotland in Rome.

Whoever wins Sunday's encounter between France and England in Paris will also have a chance of taking the title.

While Wales will turn their sights to completing a clean sweep against France, the Azzurri will aim to avoid another Wooden Spoon when they take on Scotland in Rome.

And while he lives, he wields the boasted prize
Whose value all can feel, the weak, the wise;
Displays in triumph his distinguish'd boon,
The solid honours of the Wooden Spoon
—"The Wooden Spoon" from The Cambridge Tar

Mirco Bergamasco landed one for Italy