Full time wrap:
Ireland’s Triple Crown dream and unlikely Championship ambitions have been put to the sword after a titanic encounter at the Millennium Stadium. Unfortunately, in the end Ireland’s fate was decided by an unjust refereeing decision as the Welsh try should never have been allowed to stand.
That decision will likely be the major talking point, but a number of questions have to be asked. How did Ireland manage not to score a single point in the second half for example? Why was Ronan O’Gara withdrawn less than ten minutes into the second half. And as I mentioned previously, why did Paddy Wallace come back inside in the last minute when Keith Earls was waiting outside?
In fairness, Wales were the better side, but to lose in such a manner is so frustrating. A disappointing afternoon in Cardiff, but at least we have the chance to thwart England’s Grand Slam ambitions at the Aviva next weekend. That’s all from me for now, thanks for tuning in.
Why Paddy Wallace elected to come back inside from the wing I’ll never know. Keith Earls was outside him and with his pace, would almost cetainly have got over the line. Instead, he came back inside and eventually Healy coughed up possession. Shocking decision.
Full time: Wales 19-13 Ireland
Healy loses it and Wales have won it!
Into added time. Ireland still have it.
Penalty Ireland five metres out.
Ireland penalty on halfway once more. Sexton goes to the corner. 78 minutes and 50 seconds on the clock. Ireland lineout eight metres short of the Welsh line.
Ireland back in possession on halfway. Last chance saloon time.
Paul O’Connell knocks on in the 22 and Phillips kicks Ireland back to the halfway line. James Hook, meanwhile, named as man of the match.
Sean Cronin and Donncha O’Callaghan come in for the last four minutes. Sexton kicks Ireland into the 22 and it;s a big moment for Cronin who nails his throw to fellow sub Cullen. Is there to be yet another Houdini act for Ireland in Cardiff?
Ireland can’t get a hold of the ball. Only a converted try will suffice at this stage. Just as I type, Wales concede a penalty on halfway.
Wales go through the phases and run down the clock in the middle of the field. So frustrating to watch, seven minutes to go in Cardiff.
Paddy Wallace on for Luke Fitzgerald. Not sure what sort of reshuffle will result from that change.
Typically barnstorming run from Sean O’Brien comes to halt as he puts the slightest fraction of his foot in touch just inside the Welsh 22.
Leamy and Court come in for Ireland instead of Heaslip and Mike Ross.
Hook lands it and Wales go six points in front with just over ten minutes remaining.
Sean O’Brien encroaching at the lineout and Ireland concede a penalty well within James Hook’s range. This game is in danger of slipping away from us.
13 minutes left for Ireland to get something out of this game.
Excellent Wales defence keeps Ireland out close to the try line, Ireland still in possession until they are penalised for not releasing. Super Welsh defence, but Ireland looked devoid of ideas.
Sexton finally produces something positive with a crossfield kick that finds touch just short of the Welsh line. Wales secure the lineout and Phillips clears to just outside the 22. Good attacking platform for Ireland.
Alan Scott has sent in an e-mail titled ‘England for the Grand Slam’ and says, with tongue firmly in cheek, that my earlier suggestion that the signs for Ireland were ‘hopeful not ominous’. Thanks for that Alan, we’ll see how this game ends and look forward to meeting you next week at the Aviva.
RTE studio cannot believe that the Wales try was awarded. Sexton’s kick went into the crowd, meaning that Wales were not, as they did, allowed take the quick lineout with a different ball. Ireland have been done an injustice and one can only hope that it will be made right by the end of the game. Conor O’Shea asks the question and you’d have to agree – ‘Why was video technology not used?’
It’s safe to say it has NOT been a good ten minutes for Jonathan Sexton.
Almost instantaneous response from Ireland. Earls makes a break to get Ireland into the 22 and eventually O’Callaghan sends Fitzgerald over the line. The pass, however, was forward, but Wales entered from the side in the build up and Ireland are awarded the penalty. With his first shot on goal, Sexton misses a sitter and Ireland remain three behind.
Sexton’s first action is crucial as an attempted cross kick goes out on the full. Wales take the lineout quickly and Mike Phillips gallops down the touchline, evades the challenge of Tommy Bowe and touches down in the corner to put Wales in front. Hook kicks a massive conversion and Wales go three points in front.
TRY WALES (PHILLIPS)
Jonathan Sexton in for Ronan O’Gara. Big decision by Declan Kidney, only ten minutes gone in second half.
Shane Williams goes close in the corner, kicking it ahead only for O’Driscoll to intervene and intercept the ball as it crosses the try line. 22 drop out for Ireland but Wales beginning to get on top and the signs are ominous.
O’Callaghan knocks on in the middle of the pitch and Shane Williams sends a beautiful kick over the head of Bowe and into touch just short of the line. From the lineout, Ireland win a penalty, but O’Gara’s clearance kick is poor. Wales on the front foot once more.
Nervy start to the second half for Ireland. Poor pass by Stringer to O’Driscoll and the captain slices hs clearance. Ireland steal the ballfter the lineout , Bowe carries it clear and Jonathan Davies forced to kick it out just on halfway.
Rain bucketed down in Cardiff during half time, meaning that there are likely to be even more errors and more players losing their footing in the second half.
We’re underway again…
Players are back on the pitch in Cardiff.
Half-time wrap:
Great start and finish to the half for Ireland, but Wales dominated in between. Despite there being no rain, a lot of players are slipping and the ball has been spilt on numerous occasions. Ireland kicking a lot of ball, with mixed results. Not as many penalties or errors as in previous matches, but Ireland still lacking conviction. It’s been an exciting game, no question, and it’s far from over yet.
Brilliant rugby from Ireland as they run it from their own half, with Fitzgerald, D’Arcy and Brian O’Driscoll all involved before the human wrecking ball that is Sean O’Brien carried the ball about 30 yards and through five or six Welsh tackles before being brought to ground just under the posts. Ireland recycled the ball but it was spilled by Fitzgerald on the wing. Wales infringed under the posts and O’Gara is handed the opportunity for his second penalty, which he duly lands. Ireland lead by four points at half time.
The ball sails over the bar with yards to spare and Wales are within a point once more.
Penalty for Wales as the Irish players fail to retreat after a garryowen from Tommy Bowe. It’s too long for James Hook, but Leigh Halfpenny will have a crack just after the halfway line.
O’Gara’s chip through is gathered by Lee Byrne but he slips and allows O’Gara to grab a hold of him and force Wales into a rushed clearance. Ireland claim the resultant lineout and have possession just outside the Wales 22.
O’Gara nails it, it never looked in doubt.
Ireland get a penalty as a result of Wales infriging in the scrum. O’Gara has a chance just after halfway to restore Ireland’s lead to four points.
D’Arcy then goes and loses the ball in midfield under no significant pressure. He just doesn’t seem to have the confidence of old so far this season.
Wales attack again, but David Wallace steals the ball magnificently and Gordon D’Arcy executes a perfect clearance kick to ease the pressure.
Ireland need to settle. Wales have dominated the last 15 minutes or so and Ireland have become ragged and indisciplined.
Hook does the business and it’s a one point game.
Commentator’s curse coming back to hanut me. Ireland have given away a flurry of penalties in the last few minutes, leading Kaplan to have a word with Brian O’Driscoll. Cian Healy the guilty party this time for ‘taking out the half back when absolutely unnecessary’. Hook has a chance to put Wales within one.
Ireland obviously trying to exploit the space behind the Welsh defence with little grubber kicks. Tommy Bowe is the latest to try out and he goes very close to gathering it again. Wales regroup and counter and eventually win a penalty just short of halfway. The game has become very loose in the last few minutes, something that Ireland want to avoid if the pundits are to be believed.
Fitzgerald and Earls get it all wrong in the middle of the field and Wales are on the front foot once more. Wales break again, but Fitzgerald redeems himself with a smashing tackle on Shane Williams close to the line. The Welsh winger looked like he tried to jump over Fitzgerald, but the full back was having none of it. Ireland get a penalty and comfortably clear to halfway.
He does just that and Wales get their first score with just under 20 minutes gone.
Another penalty conceded by Ireland, Rory Best adjudged to be off his feet in front of the posts. Serious pressue beng applied by Wales and Hook should now pop over three points for the hosts.
It hits the post and David Wallace gathers the rebound. Ronan O’Gara gets his kick away but slices it badly and Ireland are under pressure once more.
First penalty conceded by Ireland in kickable territory, tackler not released in time and James Hook has a chance to open Wales’ account.
Fitzgerald forced into a rushed clearance kick and from the resulting lineout, Ireland are under pressure in their own 22′.
Wales seem in tune wih O’Gara’s kicking game so far, all angles have been well covered. Interestingly, 14 minutes in, not one penalty conceded by either side. Coincidence, or is it because Jonathan Kaplan is the man in charge?
Kick through by O’Gara is beautifully taken by Luke Fitzgerald, but the full back has no support and Wales turn it over. Disappointing result as Fitzgerald did brilliantly to win the ball in midfield.
A lot of kick tennis going on at the moment and Ireland not doing it particularly well. With the talent in the Welsh ranks, Ireland can’t afford to be wasteful with the boot. Lightning start to the game so far from both sides.
Brilliant start for Ireland and it’s the captain that does it for Ireland with a simple enough finish after multiple phases in the Welsh 22′. O’Gara adds the extras to make it to 1,000 international points and to give Ireland a seven-point lead. Super stuff.
TRY IRELAND (O’DRISCOLL)
Eoin Reddan obviously not OK as Peter Stringer has come in as a replacement for Reddan and we haven’t even played a minute. Ireland win attacking lineout and are in a promising position under the Welsh posts…
Eoin Reddan charges down a Lee Byrne kick early and he took it straight in the kisser at full pelt. The scrum half looks dazed on the ground but he should be alright within a minute or so. Encouraging signs of enthusiasm from Reddan and Ireland.
And we’re underway…Ireland kick-off with Ireland playing from right to left in the first half.
Welsh national anthem sung with gusto as always. We’re ready to go in Cardiff.
The teams are out on the pitch and after all the fuss caused over the roof, it looks nice and dry although the clouds are gathering menacingly overhead. Minutes silence respectfully observed for the victims of the earthquake in Japan.
RTE Predictions: Conor O’Shea and George Hook go for Wales, the only non-Irishman in the studio, Brent Pope, goes for Ireland. Patriotism at its finest and only five days ’til Paddy’s Day. Thanks lads.
Donncha O’Callaghan can’t stay away from a microphone says George Hook. Ouch! Anyone that appears in embarrassingly cringe-worthy ads such as Hook’s Sky ones doesn’t have the right to accuse others of vanity in my book.
There’s been plenty of talk before the game about Ireland’s magnificent record in Cardiff, one defeat in 12 meetings since 1983, an astounding stat really. Given the decidedly mixed performances so far, there are doubts over Ireland’s ability to prevail, but I fancy them to get over the line again, but only just. I’m going for 25-22 to Ireland.
There’s still over 20 minutes to go until kick off, plenty of time to read Conor Ward’s preview of today’s encounter here.
A quick reminder of the teams in case you’ve forgotten:
Ireland: Luke Fitzgerald; Tommy Bowe, Brian O’Driscoll (captain), Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls; Ronan O’Gara, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross; Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell; Sean O’Brien, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tom Court, Leo Cullen, Denis Leamy, Peter Stringer, Jonathan Sexton, Paddy Wallace
Wales: Lee Byrne, Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees (captain), Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, (2 from: Rob McCusker, Andy Powell, Jonathan Thomas), Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, Morgan Stoddart
Italy, it must be said, were 12 points down with 20 minutes to go, while Bergamasco was guilty of missing a number of kickable penalties. Make no mistake, this was no fluke. Tom McGurk in the RTE studio sounds a warning note about Ireland’s clash with Italy in the World Cup later this year and on this evidence, we should be worried.
1615:
Would you believe it, Italy have just beaten France by a single point, 22-21, in Rome. Fantastic scenes at the Stadio Flaminio as the hosts celebrate what is their first competitive victory over France in their history and only their second over their more illustrious neighbours in 32 attempts.
Captain Sergio Parisse is one of many Italian players in tears and it is just rewards for a team that have been so unlucky on occasion in this competition.
Good afternoon folks and welcome to JOE’s live coverage of Wales v Ireland in the Six Nations at the Millennium Stadium. Both sides have two wins under their belts and plenty to play for – although a Championship seems very unlikely, it is still possible, while Ireland can also keep their hopes of a Triple Crown alive.
Given the styles of both sides, it could be a cracker in Cardiff and we’ll be here to keep you posted on everything that happens as it happens. Feel free to send in any comments you might have during the course of the game to shout@joe.ie. Just under an hour to go until kick off.
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