Wales 18 – 27 Eire

Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne scored tries as Eire secured Six Nations Triple Crown in nervy, comeback win vs Wales at Principality Stadium; Eire’s Garry Ringrose proven 20-minute crimson card for top sort out on Ben Thomas as Wales edged eight factors in entrance earlier than being pegged again

Eire nearly cliched the 14th Triple Crown of their historical past after a 27-18 win in Cardiff, having been pushed all the way in which by a much-improved Wales after Garry Ringrose was proven the Six Nations’ first 20-minute crimson card. 

Ringrose was proven yellow on the sector for a excessive sort out in making head-on-head contact with Wales centre Ben Thomas 5 minutes earlier than half-time – a card which was upgraded to crimson following a bunker evaluate.

Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne scored tries for the guests, with captain Dan Sheehan invariably selecting to kick for factors by means of fly-half Sam Prendergast (5 penalties) – a tactic which just about got here again to chunk the heavily-fancied away aspect when Wales wing Ellis Mee was adjudged to have misplaced management trying to attain within the nook with seven minutes to play.

Having fallen 10-0 behind early, Wales confirmed large spirit and high quality to struggle again and lead by eight factors within the second half by means of Jac Morgan and Tom Rogers tries and the boot of Gareth Anscombe (one conversion, two penalties), however simply fell brief to a mightily relieved Eire.

Garry Ringrose’s 20-minute crimson card for a excessive sort out nearly proved so pricey for Eire in Cardiff

The guests settled into an early spell of bodily dominance as a monstrous counter-ruck and Ringrose 50/22 granted territory, and Eire didn’t let up till they scored the opening strive within the seventh minute by means of Conan – the No 8 holding off Tomos Williams earlier than reaching out fantastically to floor on the tryline.

Jack Conan powered by means of for the opening strive of the competition early for Eire

Prendergast transformed for 7-0 however a superb Rogers excessive ball take up towards Osborne quickly put Wales in possession within the Eire half, with fly-half Anscombe noticeably bringing extra tempo to their assault. Tadhg Beirne finally compelled a breakdown penalty to halt issues, although.

Sustained Irish strain thereafter did not convey extra factors regardless of neat link-ups with ball in hand at tempo, as James Lowe knocked on within the 22, however the lead was stretched to 10-0 on 21 minutes by means of a Prendergast penalty.

Sam Prendergast kicked 5 penalties in Cardiff however made a number of errors

A knock-on by Sheehan close to his 22 allowed Wales to right away cancel out that penalty with certainly one of their very own by means of Anscombe after a subsequent offside.

Wales confirmed coronary heart to finish the half on high, with large strain on the Eire defence of their 22 solely being lifted when Ringrose was dismissed.

Anscombe slotted over that penalty to scale back Eire’s result in 4 at 10-6, and reverse quantity Prendergast then missed an opportunity off the tee in hitting the submit.

As an alternative, the Principality was lifted to its ft after Morgan’s close-range strive three minutes into useless time on the finish of the primary half.

Jac Morgan scored within the closing play of the primary half to place Wales in entrance vs 14-player Eire

Anscombe transformed for a 13-10 Wales lead, and the lead was stretched past a rating after a Prendergast knock-on after which missed sort out invited Wales onto the assault and Rogers to acrobatically fly over within the nook.

Wing Tom Rogers flew by means of the air to attain within the nook at first of the second half

Eire bought again into their attacking swing however missed the prospect for a strive when Prendergast knocked on possession once more. They did then slim the hole again to 5 factors by way of a close-range penalty when Wales have been caught offside.

A stunning Prendergast 50/22 quickly put Eire again on the entrance foot, with Bundee Aki rising to revive them to fifteen gamers, and when the likes of Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier and Sheehan carried exhausting to create benefit, scrum-half Jamison-Gibson Park produced a cross-field kick which Lowe did fantastically to bat inside for Osborne to attain.

Osborne scored Eire’s essential second attempt to get on degree phrases with Wales

Prendergast missed the conversion to depart the rating degree at 18-18, with a Rogers breakdown penalty halting Eire’s subsequent spell.

Thrilling Wales full-back Blair Murray one way or the other held up Eire wing Mack Hansen from scoring with 14 to play, as Eire selected to return to a penalty benefit and edge in entrance 21-18.

Wales full-back Blair Murray one way or the other denied Mack Hansen a strive within the second half

An Aki penalty received on midway noticed Prendergast stretch the result in six factors off the tee, however Mee then nearly scored a strive which might have given Wales a conversion for the lead late on, just for replays to indicate he grounded the ball brief earlier than dropping it, whereas his elbow additionally appeared in contact.

Debutant Wales wing Ellis Mee was so near scoring a strive with seven minutes to play for the hosts

An extra Prendergast penalty with two minutes left on the clock rubberstamped victory, although few of an Irish persuasion will likely be content material with this show.

What’s subsequent?

Following the second relaxation week, Eire are in motion on Saturday March 8 for the fourth spherical of the championship, internet hosting France in a mammoth match on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin (2.15pm kick-off).

Wales subsequent journey to face Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday March 8 (4.45pm kick-off).

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