Plan B Forum

Wales (3) 22

Tries: Cuthbert, Halfpenny, Mitchell
Cons: Halfpenny 2
Pens: Halfpenny

Ireland (23) 30

Tries: Zebo, Healy, O'Driscoll
Cons: Sexton 3
Pens: Sexton 3

Ireland held off a stirring second-half Wales comeback to launch their Six Nations campaign with a thrilling win and condemn the champions to an eighth successive Test defeat.

Converted tries from Simon Zebo and Cian Healy and three Jonny Sexton penalties gave Ireland a commanding 23-3 half-time lead, Leigh Halfpenny's penalty Wales' only riposte.

Brian O'Driscoll's score on the resumption increased Ireland's lead before tries from Alex Cuthbert, Halfpenny and replacement Craig Mitchell revived the hosts.

But Ireland, who had Rory Best and Conor Murray yellow-carded, held out in a breathless encounter.

It was their 11th win in their past 14 visits to Cardiff, Wales suffering a fifth straight home defeat for the first time in their history.

France (3) 6

Pens: Michalak 2

Wales (3) 16

Try: North
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 3

George North's late try saw Wales end a run of eight successive Test defeats with their first Six Nations win in Paris since 2005.

The giant wing's score with eight minutes left was the highlight of a lacklustre affair on a freezing evening that saw France booed off after following up defeat by Italy with another inept display.

A penalty apiece for Frederic Michalak and Leigh Halfpenny were the only scores of a low-key opening period.

Both added another after the resumption to leave the game deadlocked at 6-6 before North's try broke the stalemate, Halfpenny converting and adding another penalty to take Wales clear.


If the victory was an ugly one, built on a rock-solid defence, it will bring much-needed relief to the defending champions and their interim coach Rob Howley.

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