Five try Ireland keep Grand Slam bid on track with breath taking victory over Wales

A late Jacob Stockdale try kept Ireland’s 6 Nations and Grand Slam bid on track in a frantic 37-27 over Wales in what was an epic game of rugby.

An early penalty from Leigh Halfpenny had Wales in a 3-0 lead. Sexton had a chance to equalise minutes later but his attempt struck the post. Wales failed to clear and a knock on presented Ireland with a chance to make up for the lost points.

A series of excellent gain line carries created some space out wide and a bullet pass from Sexton found Stockdale on the wing to cross for the opening try. However the Leinster out half was again off target with the conversion.

Another relatively straight forward penalty was skewed by Sexton. Instead of a 13-3 lead Ireland led by just two. The game then developed a rather worrying pattern. Ireland with all the attacking intent and territory but some poor execution allowing Wales to clear.

It was exactly such an instance that lead to the visitors opening try. With Sexton back tracking to gather a Welsh clearance, he had little option but to kick to touch and concede the throw to Wales.

Wales threw to two and secured possession before setting about getting their first try. They did just that after Gareth Davies cantered under the posts. Halfpenny converted to give the visitors a 10-5 lead.

Despite having 75\% of the territory and 70\% of the ball in the opening half hour they were trailing by five and had squandered 8 points. Despite the try, it was a really sub standard opening from Joe Schmidt’s side.

A silly penalty conceded by Rob Kearney afforded Halfpenny with another chance to add to the visitors lead and the full back duly obliged to make it 13-5 to Wales.

The next score was going to be crucial and it would come from the men in green. Some superb acceleration from Keith Earls saw the Munster winger surge deep in to Welsh territory. The visitors were on the back foot and conceded a clever penalty dead in front of the posts. Sexton finally opened his account to cut the deficit to 5 points.

Ireland would get one last chance before the break when Wales were penalised for offside. Sexton found touch deep inside the Welsh twenty two and Toner claimed the lineout.

Ireland were now carrying with confidence and Chris Farrell at centre was immense but it was his partner in the midfield that would eventually crash over to level the scores with Sexton adding the extras to give Ireland a deserved 15-13 lead heading down the tunnel at half time.

If the opening 30 minutes were poor, the last ten were excellent. The only worrying points was that Wales were able to post 13 points having only 22\% of the ball and 16\% territory.

With Joe Schmidt’s instructions still ringing in their ears, Ireland started the second half with a bang. With a ruck in the middle of the field ten metres out, Ireland moved the ball at pace to the right wing. Earls stepped his marker and found Murray on his inside shoulder. Murray somehow managed to juggle and hold onto the ball.

Ireland now had a super attacking platform and when Dan Levy sat down some Welsh defenders aided by Best and Sexton Ireland were in for their 3rd try of the afternoon and a 22-13 lead.

The home side were finally turning the screw and managing to turn their possession and territory into points. Having lost a lineout, the defence managed to carry Ross Moriarty over the line to earn a five metre scrum.

An 8/9 move saw Stander feed Murray who broke down the short side. Two phases later and Cian Healy burrowed over and through Gareth Davies for the fourth and bonus point try.

It was indeed fitting that the player who touted a bonus point for Wales played a pivotal part in being run over for the bonus points for Ireland. Walking the walk always beats talking the talk. A harsh lesson indeed.

Wales needed to stem the tide and they did just that minutes later when Bigger gathered a kick that saw red jerseys piling deep into Irish territory. Having sucked in the Irish defence, the Welsh backline were in acres of space out wide and Aaron Shingler had the easy task of dotting down. From the right touchline, Halfpenny was laser accurate with the conversion to cut the deficit to 27-20.

Congratulations to @Farrell_C93 who has been named the NatWest Man of the Match! #ShoulderToShoulder #TeamOfUs #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/dQlBKhoAv0

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2018

With the lead at just seven points, Ireland needed a score to both settle nerves and take the game beyond a converted try. The penalty would come through Chris Farrell who was immense on the day. The Munster centre was tackled but no release from the Welsh tackler meant Ireland would have a shot at three points.

Inexplicably, Sexton decided to take a quick tap trying to catch the Welsh defence napping. The move came to an end with a knock on and Ireland left Wales within striking distance. A let off for the visitors and with 12 minutes remaining, a poor decision from the Irish out half.

Ireland would get another penalty shot in the 76th minute following some great work from the new front row to draw a scrum penalty. Up stepped Conor Murray to convert the penalty and give Ireland a 30-20 lead.

Wales however refused to go away and responded with a Gareth Davies try inside a minute which cut the deficit to just three points following Halfpenny’s conversion.

With two minutes remaining, Wales managed to gather the Irish restart and a penalty allowed them to find touch on halfway to launch one last attacking platform. The lineout was secured from what looked a crooked throw and after couple of phases, Wales looked to shift the ball wide right.

A looping Anscombe pass was picked off by Jacob Stockdale who Cantered under the posts to put the icing on the cake, score Ireland’s 5th try and deny Wales a losing bonus point.

Full Time score – IRELAND 37-27 Wales #ShoulderToShoulder #TeamOfUs #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/evHeGjhdl5

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2018