Ireland U20s v Wales U20s Scrum V Live

want to carry on watching the rest of the Olympic opening so and it you

can do so on the red button but on BBC Two Wales now it is time for

Scrum V Live. Wales completed the Italian job last

weekend. Wins for the big guns in South Wales. Alex Cuthbert. And for

the young guns in North Wales. But now, bigger challenges loom as

Wales travel west across the Irish Sea.

It is Wales under 20s versus Ireland under 20s, live from Athlone, right

in the very centre of the Emerald Isle. Yes, we are in the heart of

Ireland, about two hours by road from Dublin, three hours from Cork.

There is not much read in the crowd. A few hardy souls have braved the

rain. You would imagine the majority of the 2500 we are expecting will be

cheering for the home side. There have been five changes, most of them

injury forced, since the team that beat Italy last week. It has given

him to test out the depth of his squad. Braving the rain, two hardy

souls, Frankie Sheahan, the Munster and Ireland hooker and Martyn

Williams, the Scrum V regular. The first time across the Irish Sea as a

punter rather than a player. Why is it this trip is still one of the

most anticipated, one of the most enjoyable of the six Nations? It is

fantastic, a great city, Dublin. They love their rugby. There is huge

anticipation of this game. It is nice when you are player, you don't

take around the atmosphere, you focus on the game so it has been

brilliant to get out and about in Dublin. Frankly, you have been

gracious hosts and I am sure that will be the case whatever happens

tonight and tomorrow. The Welsh the best tourists? Of course they are!

They come in their numbers. Taxi drivers were saying they are great,

they come in their numbers and they are great fun but I am a bit

disappointed they didn't close the roof for this here because it is

horrendous here and for those of you watching at home in Wales, the

weather has been horrendous in this country for the last week. There has

been flooding, rivers breaking their banks, the whole lot. It is a pity

but it will test both teams to see how they can manage the conditions

because it is horrendous out there. We will return to this theme as the

programme progresses but it seems all the build-up to Ireland and

Wales has centred around the suppose of grudge. Has been a niggle, but is

it a grudge match really? It is the elephant in the room that nobody

wants to talk about but I have good news, I am going to talk about it. I

got my first cap under Warren Gatland and he is a great coach, a

really good coach. His record speaks for itself. He does have that

anger, he does that bitterness. We all need a bit of it to succeed but

a lot of Irish people over here, some of them who would not have

known us much about the game, were very nearly, they took it personally

when Brian O'Driscoll got dropped. I thought I had Warren over here

recently and the way he explained the reasons why, it made a lot of

sense but people were very close to him. As much as Brian will say there

is no grudge, he is a competitive sports person. He was disappointed

not to play. Let's call a spade a spade. He would love nothing more

than to turn around and say, hard look, Warren. Let's leave that until

tomorrow. Let's talk about tonight's gates. We were up in

Colwyn Bay for the first victory against the Italians and women in

particular caught your attention. The whole back row caught my

attention, James Benjamin was outstanding along with Scott

Matthews, who unfortunately is injured. He played eight last week

over James, but the preferred position seven. He turned his ball

over for the world -- first Welsh try. He is dynamic, light on his

feet, he got the Welsh team over the gain-line time and time again. He

has great footwork, he is away. He was key last week. He did not get

man of the match. We looking forward to big performance, and eight-man

game tonight unfortunately with the weather the waiters. A really

dynamic Welsh back row and the Irish back row have been talked about a

lot. Have you got any future good players in the ranks? There is

number eight, Jack O'Donoghue, who had a tremendous game last week,

scored two tries. He is not captain but the open side is captain and

that will be a great battle, seeing back row was because the breakdown

on a day like today, the eight-man battle is going to be vigorously

contested, so I think the number eight battle, I am looking forward

to it. The battle of the back rows could be an want to keep an eye on,

especially in these conditions. Off the pitch, posting -- up coaching

perspective it is grand against Gwent because both coaches are from

Blaenau. You are meant or two by Ron. Tell us

about your connection to him? We are from the same village and we are

playing the weather tonight by the looks of it and it should be a tough

battle but he is a great young player when I was growing up. I used

to watching training in the local park and I knew he was destined for

great things and so it happened. You look back on a great career, he is

doing fantastically well as a coach. How exciting is it to be pitting

your wits against Mike tonight? Exciting but Swansea have a big

challenge. If you look what Mike has done in the game compared to me, I

am miniscule. It is a big challenge. An excellent win last week against

Scotland so what can we expect against Ireland tonight? The rain

does not look like it. So it will be forward orientated, a bit of an arm

wrestle, both sides going at each other and kicking game to back it up

so I am sure he has his boys briefed, it will be a tough night

for us. You have made some changes as well? Yes, some been forced

through injury and a couple of boys to look at in terms of preparations

for the World Cup so it is important to give opportunities and they have

won tonight. The best of luck for you both. These boys are hardy

souls, they have both agreed to play with the roof open tonight.

Frankie stole his blunder by cracking the same gag a few moments

ago. I want to talk about styles of play because last week our analyst

made the point the Wales under 20s play a very different style to what

we expect from the senior side, pummelling the opposition into

submission. Is it the same with the Ireland under 20s? Is there an

overarching philosophy with the senior side? Not really. It is

important. Each coach seems to have their individual influence on the

match and it is very important and I am sure that you will agree, you can

go through whether they are playing for Cardiff, Munster, Wales, the

whole week playing a certain style and the next thing the weather is

like this. All bets are off. That is the challenge, these are the future

leaders for both sides. Are you going to call the ball to the tale

of the line-out, will you start going wide early on? This is about

being direct early on and in fairness to Mike Ruddock he has done

a tremendous job with this side. A lot of the players coming through,

like JJ Hanrahan from Munster, this Irish team is really cultivated well

by him. Sometimes the game plan goes out of the window when the weather

roles in like tonight. It is a game where the backs will seek less of a

ball. It is unfortunate for Wales, they like to put wits on the ball,

they played a very different game to the Welsh national side. Conditions

will put a stop to that. It will come down to who pics breast and we

get that from football -- who pics breast. Sean, good to speak to you

because last week you were very impressed with the way the attacking

player of the backs played? Yes, they showed Endeavour, Wales, last

week. They played with enterprise but surely the conditions will

dictate tonight. It will be interesting to see if they

persevere. They are missing key performers from last week. A tough

assignment tonight. We noticed last week they played from deep,

particularly on counterattack but the biggest thing I noticed as they

pulled back and attacked both sides of the ruck against Italy. This is

in contrast to what the national team do. You can see forwards

getting the gain-line but the difference was people like Matthews,

the man of the match last week, handling the ball, getting the ball

into the wide channels where we saw forwards and backs. They allowed

them to get wits on their game. They got quick ball, it will be

difficult tonight because Ireland will be hungrier for the ball. You

see forwards in the wider channels with backs, holding the Italian

defence and allowing the likes of David Howells with his pace and

Powell to get over the line. -- his pace and power. We are lucky to have

experience in our midst. Take a look at this. Just watch the flame haired

number eight and the experience he shows, the guile. Lulling Ireland

into a false sense of security, falling to the floor early and

skulking around the Irish defence, a sneaky line in support. He told

Martyn Williams earlier this was a 25 metre run for a score, our

analyst approved and this was a 2.15 meter dash. We are lucky to have him

tonight, our commentator, Stuart Davies.

Stuart Davies is in the commentary box, a short 22 years ago, that was

16-15 to Wales on the day. These victories against Ireland, in

Ireland, art pretty much one score in it. Do you expect it to be the

same today and tomorrow? It is one of those games where it is going to

be a one score game purely down to conditions but as far as tomorrow is

concerned, even those of us that are passionate about our countries

accepting the fact it will be too close to call, really. It is a

superb prospect of a game tomorrow. My bobbin thanks very much for that,

since you are Davis. He will be commentating. The teams are doing

their final warm up. I want to talk about the significance of the

fixtures. Most under 20s coaches tell us the Junior World Cup is the

ultimate court edge-macro tournament, a great chance for

youngsters. These two are in the same group for this year's World

Cup. What would a victory do psychologically for those teams,

looking forward to the summer? You find out about the opposition when

you play them in a short space of time. Whether it has a huge bearing

on the World Cup, I am not sure. You can't write off the six Nations as

the under 20 competition. Any player in a senior competition, it is

tradition and experience for these players to come to places like

Athlone and learn to play in these conditions. We haven't got is --

this is the next step up for these guys. An interesting point listening

to Sean Holley, with regard to the recipe to play against the Irish.

Reversing it for a second, every time we have played against Welsh

side is the one thing we would have been hammering home out of pure

respect to Wales was the physicality of the Welsh have and if you are not

100% up for the battle, I remember playing in the under 21 Saint and I

got eight switched -- I got eight stitches across my lip and have my

revenge the following year. That is the type of physicality and respect.

I would expect to see the Irish side coming out all guns blazing. I think

Phil has been roaming the touchline and has found a guest.

I am on the halfway line, I have the national performance manager with

me. There are a couple of changes to write, a big battle in the back rows

like tomorrow. How do you see it panning out? There are six changes,

one of them positional. We have Ben Roach going back to number eight and

we are going to need a big performance by the pack and we will

need them to go forward from the backs, especially with Garyn Smith

and Hughes in the centre and hopefully we can win some ball and

it is a dirty old night but hopefully we can progress tonight.

Garyn Smith, he will have a brow -- proud grandfather watching, the

coach from Pontypridd in the 1970s. Yes, a good Pontypridd youngster who

has played a lot of games this year so we expect a lot from him. It is a

big opportunity for him. On the eve of the big game tomorrow, a lot has

been said about the O Driscoll and Gatland Bridge. The under 20 boys

caught up in that? No, we are flying back first thing tomorrow but as far

as to why it is concerned it is the next game. Ireland are coming on for

a big win against the Scots, we were victorious last week, so in many

respects for these boys it is the next game. It is a big game and in

many respects it is a defining moment for these boys, the second

game into the championship. These grudges are nothing new. 1882, the

first-ever match that Wales played at Lansdowne Road, two Irish players

walked off. They argued with the Welsh Rugby Union secretary, who

unfortunately Walsall so the umpire that day. Wales won the game.

plenty more of that to come. He has been digging out lots more

information on the supposedly grudge between Ireland and Wales. Last

year, it was another narrow victory, 17-15. Sam Davies kicked

the rest of the points. He went on to become the young player of the

year. Proof, if you needed it, this is a fast-track to the top. It

months later, -- eight months later he makes it into the national side.

Because you still have the wolfhounds, is that the stepping

stones? Not necessarily, it depends on the court at the time. In recent

years, the wolfhounds has been more of a development site. The U20 side

is hugely important for Ireland and we have seen a lot of players make

that breakthrough. Players go into a sub Academy and then into an academy

system. Playing at U20 level is crucial for their development. It is

getting that experience of playing in conditions and poor climate like

tonight, that is the type of learning they need.

Conditions are terrible tonight. Wales were narrow victors last year,

giving it is at home, would you have Ireland as marginal favourites? Yes,

they will be confident. This will be a good test for the Welsh boys.

Totally different conditions from last night. -- from last week. You

never come up against a poor Irish pack.

Does your head drop as a player when you see the weather like this? As a

Munster man and a hooker, the first thing you are thinking is make sure

the ball boys dry the balls! All these negative thoughts jump into

your head. The fullbacks will be thinking... And that is where the

learning and being focused comes into it. It is what it is. They have

to do everything within their power and not worry about the weather. We

will see it out there, we will see the mistakes. It will be the team

that makes the least mistakes that come out on top. That challenge is

about to begin. The teams are about to enter the

field of play. Stuart Davies is joining Gareth Giles in the

commentary box. A few hours ago when we arrived, we

had a walk over the ground and it was pretty firm underfoot. Even

though it has been raining for several hours, and there is no let

up, it will be holding its own. No way the game was ever in any danger

as Steffan Hughes leads out the Welsh team. A team which has five

changes from the one which beat Italy last week. Ashton Hewitt,

Garyn Smith in midfield, Ethan Lewis as hooker. Ben Roach moves back to

the back row. A few little injuries, nothing too

serious and a chance to rotate and give all the squad game as their Six

Nations progresses. Dan Leavy, wearing number seven,

leads out the home side. Even though it is a horrendous evening here in

Dubarry Park enough non--- in Athlone, a decent sized crowd. Just

one change on the right wing, Cian Kelleher coming in. Keep an eye out

for Jack O'Donoghue at number eight. And apparently, they are playing

with the roof open tonight. Tom Foley is the referee for this

evening. Two teams who have got off to a winning start, and two teams

with very good records to defend. March 2011 was the last time Ireland

were beaten at Dubarry Park. Two quality teams who are hoping to defy

the conditions. The rain has abated ever so slightly at the moment, but

there is a tricky wind to contend with. In Wales' favour as well. You

have to think how much of a score you are going to build up with this

wind. I think we will see a lot of kick and drive throughout the

evening. Tom Williams to Nicky Smith, the

Osprey prop, one of the changes this evening. An encouraging start by

Wales, hanging onto the ball. Any we will do it. That sort of Mike Freer

you want every member of that pack offering themselves. Perhaps not a

lot of yards to be had, but that workload has got to be shared.

I think the referee we have to show a bit of leniency in the breakdown.

It is going to be inevitable that they cannot keep their footing the

whole time. Conversion and three penalties

against Italy last weekend. Across the piece. -- pace. Wales

will be looking to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their

way in the first half. I was going to sea breeze, but that is an

understatement. -- to say breeze. Max Abbott, the hooker with a carry.

Ross Byrne. Good tackle by Josh Adams on David Busby. Fine support

from the Irish pack. Jack O'Donoghue, he was highlighted

earlier. Ross Molony. That was a good kick from the

scrum-half in the circumstances. It was, you didn't expect it, actually.

He may have taken a stinger on the shoulder. Not just this game

tonight. Ospreys are in Ravenhill and the Welsh ladies team playing

against the Irish counterparts. We will keep you abreast of what is

happening there. Tom Williams. Into the face of Mick McCarthy -- Nick

McCarthy. Just checking it was not going to be

a scrum, but it actually came off my car of the's phase -- McCarthy's

face. Not an easy night for hookers.

Everybody had a good game last week, the whole back row. Ben Roach has

gone back this evening. Wheels are having to put up with a glut of

injuries in the second row. Ethan Davies. They need more police than

that. But it is not easy. -- pace. They have to try and get the points

on the board this half. They will have to watch in midfield as well.

Peter Robb put the tackle and there, you can expect a few big hits from

them. Good decision, but execution was pure.

Trying to get a squeeze on. Round the corner comes Peter Dooley.

A good drive on from Robb and Timmins, in particular. Cutting down

on the space. The same the second time. And has to look at different

options. -- and Byrne has to look at different options.

He's doing a good job marshalling at midfield.

Ireland hanging on possession well. Not making too many inroads into the

Welsh defence. Straight through the middle. Across comes Bagshaw.

Very good structure. Pace after pace after pace. Was trying to keep in

possession. Not giving Wales the chance to clear downfield.

Laying down at the line was the fence. -- offence. Ordinarily it is

kick a ball from there, but I fancy they might look for the corner.

Ireland venture into Wales' 22 for the first time, with ten minutes

played. I game, it is simple ball. -- a game, it is simple ball.

Good, quick ball. It is very well recycled by Ireland. Dooley, very

efficient. Inching forward, but doing so very effectively. A very

well drilled team. The rain is belting down again.

There is a penalty coming for Ireland, as Wales don't clear from

the tackle area. Dan Leavy is one of several

University College Dublin players. A great support run from Phipps --

from Fitzpatrick. Yes, very good rugby in these conditions. Good

structure, a good mix, and they are moving the ball through the hand as

well but ominous early signs that the Wales side are up against a well

drilled eight here in the Ireland team. A nice combination, controller

halfback. Often the place that when you are playing against the wind you

are forced into the carrying game. You can seize the initiative. These

opening exchanges are all looking good for Ireland. A brave call from

Ross Byrne to go for the post in these conditions, even from within

the 22. If it picks up as it has been then it could end up behind

him, let alone between the posts! You can see the corner flag in the

far corner, it is really going. Yes, Joshua Adams on the Wales left wing

might need to keep his wits about him here.

Ross Byrne, a drifter the last moment and drifts wide and the

school board remains black. We can go down pitch side to Phil Steele.

It is horrible here, the rain is coming in horizontally. Awful

conditions to play. The wind is more of a crosswind than favouring

Wales, although probably slightly in Wales' favour. Our island doing the

right thing? They are. There were some testing collisions early on,

the first in the first scrum when Wales were targeting that area. They

took a more early when they drove Ireland back and won the penalty.

The difficulty is kicks you would normally get in the dry conditions,

we're not getting there. Wales have given up two opportunities, Ireland

missed one across the face of the ball, so you are right, the key here

is to keep the ball in hand, keep recycling it and trying to wear the

other side down. 1914, the so-called terrible aid of Wales, beat Ireland

11-3. Doctor Bill Tyrol of Ireland challenged Percy Jones of Pontypool,

to fight in the hotel room the day before the hotel room and it all

kicked off on the field. O'Driscoll is nothing, is it? A game played in

Belfast, that one. That was a good toss. Not held, so

Byrne, up and at him. The hands scooping the ball back off the

floor. Wales can have a look at this one now, I think, notwithstanding

the difficult conditions with the planted foot. The two Sams have got

the Ospreys on the board at Ravenhill, they lead 7-0.

Ethan Davies, 143 points for his team last year.

He has had one from the far side of the field.

He needs to judge the crosswind. Again, wide of the left-hand side

bright. Distance was no problem, it was right at the top of the posts,

but that bit to the left. Properly taken by Garry Ringrose.

But it was by Ross Byrne Wales caught napping a bit. It has given

back possession to Ireland and they had to scramble back for the tackle

and give away the penalty. I did not realise you could not take a quick

drop between the two unless it was the same ball. They did very well,

all the same. A good burst through by Rory Burke.

Good hands, freeing his back -- his hands in the tackle, Jack

O'Donoghue. It was a shade forward, timely

intervention by the Dragons winger. Wales were a bit short on the far

side. You mentioned Sean O'Brien tomorrow on any side is going to

feel the loss of someone of that calibre but for me, Peter Marney, he

was my man of the match. A great spoiler, and incredible workrate,

and Chris Henry as well, he does love the turn, so the battle of the

back rows tomorrow in the contact area is going to be big. Wales have

to win primary possession as well. It is an interesting point made in

the press conference yesterday when he said oh Marney, he's and Henry

all contributed little bits and bobs that O'Brien normally does to make

up for his absence. Yes, it is all about combinations on the back row.

They complement each other. Again, Sean O'Brien at the front.

Ireland back on Wales' 22. The captain leads the way, Dan Leavy.

The man who won the ball initially, O'Brien, driven back in the tackle

by Nicky Smith. Again, a penalty coming Ireland's way. I suppose it

is a reflection of the amount of possession they are getting, the

amount of defending in Wales are having to do with the penalty is

merely going Ireland's way. It is disciplined from Ireland in the

context of keeping the ball and going through the phases and ill

discipline from Wales, the frustration I suppose, trying to get

hands-on ball. They know they have got this wind but they need to get

hands on it in order to do something with it and despite the wind the

territory is probably with Ireland at the moment.

Ross Byrne's first effort, just faded at the death.

That one starts wide and stays wide, so it is not an evening for the

kickers. Possibly not because of the conditions. They haven't quite got

their radar is right, so midway through the first half it still

remains scoreless. Byrne will be disappointed with that

effort, it just stayed on the wrong line. Yes, he just didn't get it,

did he? Ross Byrne is a rangy ten, isn't it?

Six, they don't make small backs any more, do they? -- he is six feet and

ten inches tall. Discretion the better part of valour

fair him as the ball goes out of play. Phil Steele has been George by

Mark Taylor. You need a bit of ball, don't you? Greenberg and we made a

mistake early on, the penalty, we kicked too long and we have

struggled to get a foothold in the game. The boys have defended well, a

couple of kicks have slipped past the post but you have to get

possession and territory. What sort of lead would you need with this

wind? It is difficult to say. The wind is a swirling wind. We want to

get points on the board and keep the defence. The next crunch trivia,

1968, Wales losing at Lansdowne Road 9-6, Gareth Edwards dropped a goal

that went five metres wide of the post but was allowed by the referee

and he had to have a police escort off the field! Congratulations to

the Wales Fire and dressed use services. They have beaten their

Irish counterparts by 38-20, so a good omen for tomorrow. Thanks,

Phil. I think that interview was his sneaky way of getting undercover for

a while. Scott Andrews supplies the line-out ball but the throwing just

off centre. -- the throw in just off centre. The Wales women are leading

6-0 against their Irish counterparts in Ashbourne, after a disappointing

defeat against Italy last week. Well, it is an horrendous night. The

rain is belting down. The wind is blowing in. A very brief respite

from the rain, isn't it? There are brave souls on the far side who are

not even undercover. Wales have got the wind behind them

in this scrum! Good effort put in by the front row. They look as if they

were going after it. But they need the reward, they need the points.

I don't think I could have any more players on and I have at the moment!

-- layers. That is the most workable kick I have ever seen -- remarkable

kick. That was superbly managed by but first mistake from Ireland. The

bread for a short kick-off. -- the players went.

He was looking to drill that one into the corner. But took too much

time and was closed down by the Ireland defence. England U20s are

leading against the Scottish U20s. Ryan Jones talking about the game at

Croke Park in 2008. Coverage from two o'clock on BBC One

Wales tomorrow. One banana, two banana, I'm sure

there is a song they're somewhere. We will be in Ravenhill next week.

The Ospreys are the tonight. We will be with the Scarlets next week.

Let's hope it's not like this. We can have a nice little Valentine's

Day. You have been cuddling in all evening anyway? Anything to keep

warm. Where is this going to come from? He is trying it again. But the

wind to get. I thought it might have gone through. That was a good effort

by Ethan Davies. It is not easy kicking beer at all. -- there.

Ethan Lewis offering himself. John Bryan stays down. Scott Andrews in

possession. He has taken a real bang on the shoulder. The ball held in

and Ireland winning the scrum. Ireland having most of the ball in

this first half and in their own half as well. Just three points

down. Just checking to see whether Sean

O'Brien can carry on. Philip?

Yes, Ospreys leading in Ulster. In 1969, O'Brien Price... I spoke to

him about it the other day. I asked how he got on with Noel Murphy, he

said very well. With misses Murphy? Not so well.

That is a great story. President Michael Higgins here this evening.

As he will be in the BB -- in the Aviva Stadium. And Psyche cannot

continue. -- and it looks like he cannot play any more. Joe Joyce of

Bristol taking his place. Came off the bench against Scotland to

replace Molony. Joe Joyce is a good Bristol

product. These are good young player.

Seven or eight minutes of the first half to go.

Again, going over the ball at the breakdown. With half-time

approaching, Wales, you feel, need the points.

Michael Higgins, poet and president of Ireland. His first visit to an

U20s game at Dubarry Park. He came very close again. He may

have missed three, but they have all been by very small margins. He

judged the wind right, but in the end, it did not have the legs. Jack

O'Donoghue. A lovely carrier of that last scrummage. Scott Andrews. Ethan

Lewis. That's James Benjamin. Playing number seven this week. He

had an outstanding game at number eight last week. But it is Ireland

that are doing much of the carrying. Garyn Smith sees the ball slip

through his fingers. The referee says no advantage to come from

there. No arms tackle in open play. Wheels have to go for the corner

here, you feel. -- Wales. They wanted to change their minds, but

somebody has called. No option now. He probably would have preferred to

have punted it into the corner. But he can't let it affect his game. It

is a lottery out there. It is just a matter of trying to judge as best as

possible in very testing conditions. Wales need the points, but not

getting them in this first half. The ball topples over. I know how he

feels. On the 16th tee at Swansea Bay and the wind comes off, at its

strongest. Good effort again. But, again, just outside. They are points

that Wales so only need -- sorely need. That is cruel. Just taken by

the wind at the end. You cannot blame the kicker for that.

It fell nicely for Benjamin. Again, Ethan Lewis offers himself. It is

taken up by Scott Andrews. That is James Sheekey. Benjamin brought down

on the Irish ten metre line. Turnover by Ireland. A chance to

move it. He has put the ball to good effect.

They have done well. The kick scrambled away, but not out of play.

But the penalty has been called anyway. Wales did well to get back.

Not very cultured, but very effective. Two minutes on the clock

in the ground. It is a stop clock, so a bit more than that. Tom

Williams wallops it down the field. Back goes David Busby. Boat to

safety on the touchline. -- back. Wales are looking for something

before the interval just to give them a little bit of breathing space

before the second half. Sheekey is beaten to it by Ross

Molony. Great off-load. Superbly done.

Wales are battling for it, but Ireland have it. A great ball,

lovely hands from Dan Leavy. Great leadership from the captain. In the

end, Ross Byrne doing what he did earlier.

A good tackle by Scott Andrews. The penalty has gone Ireland's way as

Wales come off their feet in the tackle.

It will be interesting to see what Ireland do in the second half. Wales

haven't been able to do anything with the wind behind them, with

their territory. Byrne looking like a ten that could control things in

the second half. At the end, they have to go to

ground. Leavy is limping in the background.

Wales are losing their patience and a little bit of discipline. The

penalty will come. Well, Ireland have safely negotiated

the wind in the first half. Just the one penalty from Ethan Davies and

several very, very close attempts which were not quite there. It will

be a tester for the Welsh boys in the second half, playing into the

wind. At half-time it is Ireland zero, Wales three.

With the weather playing its part tonight, that is the sure and plenty

of niggle as we approached the grudge match tomorrow but it was the

battle of the kickers in the first half. Eight attempts on goal, only

one of them landing. Ethan Davies successful for Wales. 3-0 at

half-time. That was a successful kick, brilliantly judging the wind

to land the kick but it has been a game as the boys anticipated when

the forwards are dictating things. Martyn, we never expected to be

spectacular. In fairness, they have both tried to

play. Wales, with the scrum, on top. I am hoping that kicks that Ethan

Davies has missed do not come back to haunt him. We will talk about

scrums in a moment but what is your general overview so far? I think

might wed will be absolutely delighted it is half-time because if

the conditions were better, I have to give credit to Davies, he keeps

having a go at the kicks. -- I think Mike Ruddock will be delighted it is

half-time. If the conditions were different, Wales could be out of

sight in this game. For Mike Ruddock's team to be only three

points behind, he's a great position so he will be very happy and they

will need to come out in the second half. Wales are squeezing them and

squeezing them and they are really up against it. One area they are

squeezing them is the scrum. We saw successful Welsh scrum against Italy

last year -- last week and they are kicking on this week? Yes, it is an

area Wales have gone for. You see the ball in, great scrummaging by

the front row. Here it is a game, great timing by

the Welsh. The ball getting disrupted on the ground. It is a

pivotal area. They didn't get a penalty, that is where Wales have

been good in the tackling area. A lot of penalties but unfortunately

Ethan Davies has not been kicking his goals. Let's bring Sean in,

Ireland are lucky to be within touching distance but they have

played the conditions reasonably well tonight. It may seem like there

is not much rugby on show but there is a tactical element in these

conditions and Mike Ruddock's team Wiley. Wales have 70% territory but

Ireland have all the possession. They are keeping the ball, that is

the way to do it. If we look at the style of play from Ireland this

half, they are keeping a very close. They can't go wide because it is

windy. They are kitted -- keeping it short, short passes between the

forward, being very patient, hanging onto the ball because they know the

second half they will have the element. He has lots of options

outside him, just winning the gain-line, keeping the ball and he

did away the clock. There are other ways. Sure restarts, kill the clock,

get some more possession, there are clever ways. If you go wide in these

conditions you are going to be in trouble and you are liable for

forward passwords. With a bit of slice, they needed the kick and they

will second half. Only one from six in the first half, it could cost

Wales. Thanks very much for that. We will talk about the main event in a

moment because there isn't a great deal more to analyse from the first

half but a quick reminder that BBC Wales is your one stop shop this

weekend and beyond for all your sporting action. Coming up next on

BBC Wales, it is sport Wales. Dan Jones goes inside the camp to catch

up with the boys ahead of the big game and talking of big games, John

Toshack previews what could be the biggest south Wales derby ever.

Tomorrow at 1pm on BBC Two Wales you can enjoy the magic 2008 Triple

Crown again as Ryan Jones talks us through another Scrum V classic.

Wales have won the trickle Crown. Then the main events, the grudge

match, Ireland against Wales from 2pm. On Sunday, Scrum V six Nations

special. He has had a shocker. That is 7:10pm on BBC Two Wales. On

Friday night the Pro12 is back, so is Scrum V Live. Will it be

victorious valentines for the Scarlets when they take on Ulster in

Belfast? Sure maybe smug in the studio but he is earning his money.

There is a Pro12 game, Ulster versus the Ospreys and you can bring us up

to speed. I have double vision, the same elements in Northern Ireland,

wind and rain, but it has turned into the Matthew Morgan show for the

Ospreys. The diminutive quick ten is having a great first half, lots of

line breaks and he is taking the Ospreys over. He nearly got a corner

in a swamp and is breaking into the defence. They are playing into the

wind. Who better to have than a guy like this in your midst, really

dangerous. He was instrumental in Ospreys' try. Acute half Rake here,

nearly gets to the line and forces the try. -- a cute half-break here.

Watch for Tyler Ardron's great little flick at the back for Sam

Lewis to score as early as the 10th minute. The Canadian was signed this

year, goes into contact, and on his shoulder. It was nearly equalled by

Ulster late on. Just a great try saving tackle from the centre. He

went to the TMO, but he takes the ball and the referee does not give

it. Ospreys lead 7-3 at half-time at Ravenhill. Thanks, fantastic results

so far for the Ospreys at Ravenhill, always a difficult place to go.

There is a full Pro12 schedule this weekend. The Blues face Munster

tomorrow, on S4C at 7pm, and on S4C at 12:45pm of the following day the

Dragons face Edinburgh, although that is currently in doubt because

the pitch at Rodney Parade has taken a hammering with the rain. The

Scarlets are awake in Treviso this weekend, not televised.

Warren Gatland and Brian O'Driscoll say any grudge has been left in the

past but as we said earlier, there is more than a bit of niggling

tomorrow's game. The rivalry between Ireland and Wales is going to

continue for a long time and nobody is going to want to take one single

step back and everything that has happened before, all the drop

goals, the Grand Slams, the triple cams, they are all in the mix, no

doubt about it. It has been so close, the Irish Welsh affairs over

the last few years. It comes down to a few points. The niggle is there.

You have to love it. There is the controversies, the Mike Phillips

try, the Gatland factor, it is familiarity breeds contempt as well

as respect sometimes. There is a bit of resentment. We love that chip on

our shoulder and we will use every bit we can get out of it. You need

that chip on our shoulder and we will use every bit we can get out of

it. You need the inner be focus and discipline as well. Ireland and

Wales is like an eliminator, whoever wins takes on the big guns from

England and France and it has been like that for years. There has been

rivalry for but because of Gatland dropping him for the test, it is the

fixture. No hiding from it. A word on the rivalry between Wales and

Ireland. It seems to have developed and built over the last ten years.

England always used to be the game that Wales look forward to and I

dare say it was the same for the Irish. Is it rivalling the England

game in terms of hype and expectation? Never! Lets call them

spade a spade. And Ireland and England game is always tight. We get

on and off the field as well. It is a very physical type of game and the

key for me tomorrow and were looking into it, is the nine over ten, 12

axis. It is very hard to find any weaknesses in the Welsh team but we

know that Webb -- we know how well Priestland playing? Is he playing as

well as he did previously? Is the vulnerable? The 12 channel, whoever

is coming up, that is where they will go to. Ireland, through

Murray, Sexton and the King Darcey ahead of martial for this week, it

was a big call -- the King Darcey. Three changes, most of unexpected,

Gethin Jenkins and Sam Warburton turning to the team and Nat Coombs

stepping in. Do you think the return of Sam

Warburton which could be lost at the breakdown could be crucial? They

were disappointing last week, they did not have much ball so some will

definitely add to that. He is one of the best in the world. Gethin

Jenkins, one of the best props in the world. I know they don't come up

against each other in the scrum but watch him, it will be all guns

blazing. It will be a big improvement in the tackling area. A

big day for Andrew Coombs on his first cut last year in the

corresponding fixture and some big shoes to fill, literally with Luke

Charteris. That is where Ireland were really strong last week in the

pack. Let's look at the Irish team, two changes as Frankie alluded to.

Gordon D'Arcy coming back in at the expense of Luke Marshall and Paul

O'Connell, the Talisman, returning to the second row. That battle

against Alun Wyn Jones, two test lines, the Lyons captains, is

enormous. And we know Paul O'Connell and how motivated and aggressive he

is. He is a leader's leader, he does what it says on the tin, he gets out

there and does it. What a huge blow for Ireland to be told he has to

pull out. In my memory, when parliaments have two pull out of

games like that the first game he pulls out I always think the other

team mates lift their performance by 25-30% out of pure fear. Oh, my God,

Paul is not here, we have to raise the game. The dangerous fixture is

the one after, maybe we didn't need Paul after all. That could be an

opportunity for Wales. Made me they will not be in the zone. -- maybe

they will not be in the zone. I thought the scrum was outstanding

last week, the line-out was outstanding. That is the big area

tomorrow. Wales have some firepower behind, it is difficult to stop, but

if they don't match Ireland up front it will be a long day. Is Adam Jones

firing on all cylinders? Is Gethin Jenkins just coming back? Will he be

firing on all cylinders? I know Gatland, I know what he is like, he

will have had them doing 70 or 80 scrums this week. It will be an

intriguing battle. I can't wait. Brace yourselves, more fireworks and

we all jumped when they happen! Let's turn our attention to this

game. Conditions have eased slightly. The rain appears to have

stopped a little bit. Can you see any difference in the second half,

or more of the same and whoever gets the kicks will eventually prevail?

Ireland have a great opportunity, they have to look at the subs bench

and they will be looking at the front row, McNulty, Coulson,

Heffernan, they will need to make a change and use the bench cleverly.

From Wales point of view where you are into the wind, you have to carry

more ball and you have to defend. Sometimes you relax, thinking the

wind will win the game for you but that is not the case. Wales will

have to carry more and hopefully hold out and kick the goals. Good

stuff, how is this for a couple of owners, Wales' women are leading 6-3

against the Irish counterparts, Ireland winning the Grand Slam last

year. The Wales under 20s are 3-0 up. Plenty of time to go, it could

change. Back to the commentary team. The wind is still beer, the brain is

not quite as bad. -- is still there. Wales are playing into the

wind. Ireland had all the possession, Wales had all the

possession in the first half. Just a slender 3-point advantage. Again,

they go just to the front of the line. Not fancy, just basic safety.

Donohue tries to get the Irish boys moving forward again. Well kept and

by Afon Bagshaw. Anybody can go for it. Ross Byrne, Timmins, Kelleher.

The second line of defence was needed by Wales on that occasion.

Led by Steffan Hughes. Very strong there. Thought he might have got

away. He gets round the first line, very good cover defence from Wales

defenders there. Steffan Hughes just doing enough to dislodge the ball

before Kelleher got the kick in properly. What did I say? Not

meaning is badly? Spoke too soon. -- not raining as badly?

The scrums were good in the first half, the first one in the second

half is rock-solid as well. Wales want to use that strength as much as

possible. That is a very silly penalty.

An extra bonus for Wales as Cian Kelleher feels to catch the kick --

fails. That is the sort of break you need on nights like this. Might just

build something from it. Tom Williams just waiting at the

heels of Ben Roach once again. That scrum so effective. The only problem

there was it was coming up on the Irish. Taking the eight away from

the midfield area where he would prefer to run. Dan Leavy disengaged

there. Penalty went against Ireland for walking around. This could make

the difference. The first venture into the Irish

22. Andrews provides the line-out ball. First man up.

They didn't get the body positions quite right in that maul.

Josh Adams has come off his wing. He got the first try against Italy. He

hasn't seen too much of the ball, which is not the biggest surprise.

There have been very close games between the two teams over the

years, since the U20s were formed. 24-17 in 2010. That was Italy's best

win. 11-6 in 2008. Wales's first when was -- first win. Dan Leavy

again, disengaged. They comes -- off he comes.

Nicky Thomas not agreeing with the referee's interpretation of that

scrum. A good Welsh scrum. Molony just

dropped on the ball. But Wales have won it back. That is Ethan Lewis,

the hooker. An excellent scrum which has given them this space. Steffan

Hughes. Within five metres. Tom Williams right not to pass his

troubles onto Nicky Smith. Ireland managing to slow the ball down and

get men out in midfield. Ethan Lewis again. No Nicky Smith. A good period

of pressure from Wales. Again, the kick and go just around

the corner. Edging nearer and nearer. Boyde wins another metre or

two. Sheekey. Can't get the ball down. Now he has done safely. Dan

Leavy driven off it. Still Wales have it. Boyde leading the gold

towards the Ireland try-line. -- leading the way. They look for the

first try of the evening. Tom Williams calling for more forwards

and they are. In the end, they can't get to the try-line, but they do

have a penalty straight in front. Difficult both ways at the moment.

We complimented the Irish eight in the first half on how they carried.

And this is better from Wales, actually. A concerted effort there.

It was hard yard after Hardy yard. In fairness, just came up short in

the end. Safety points for Wales, rewarded

after all the efforts of the forwards. Into the wind. They get

the first points of the second half. Ethan Davies with his second

successive penalty. And the extent the lead.

The Irish women's team have drawn level against Wales.

That is a really good kick. Good yardage.

Slightly off centre. The pressure coming on from Ben Roach. Ireland

having to battle for it on halfway, but they do have that.

Again, good strong tackling and defending by Wales, forcing a

mistake and winning the scrum. We know that Wales can hold the scrum.

Looking good in it. If they can just do the same here, have a platform.

As much as they are against the wind, they can still find territory

and put pressure on defences. Again, excellent work by the Welsh

pack. That is such a strong scrum. Yes, forcing the Irish front row

up. Take whatever you can get, don't be over ambitious. Five penalties

they have had from scrums now, Wales. That dominance is giving them

the upper hand at the moment in what is a very tight game. Ethan Davies

takes it down field. Andy Goode down now to fill up. That early penalty

for Wales, how much confidence will it give them?

It would be to moralising for Ireland. -- it will be the

moralising. Six points is a big lead in these conditions. The pack has

been really impressive. Just digging.

In 1978, Wales going for the triple Triple Crown. In the second half,

Ireland came back. J P R Williams was being booed.

Thanks, Phil, some great approach work by the Welsh forwards winning

them yet another penalty. Yes. As hard as this is going to be, I

understand the thinking here. If they can just pinch one. It will be

very difficult for Ireland to get down into Wales' half and get points

themselves, so this is daylight. Well, if they can make it a two

score game and then that is really doing something.

It is two from two for Ethan Davies in the second half and that is a big

kick for Wales. It opens up a two score lead. They go ahead by 9-0.

Sean, in Cardiff. From the coaching team, he will be asking the

referee, five penalties at the scrum now, the Osprey props are dominant,

should there be a yellow card for Ireland, just to create the

dominance, run it home? Wales doing very well in the scrum.

Well, there was a change in the front row now for Ireland anyway.

Because Oisin Heffernan has come on at tight head so for the moment that

will not be an issue because there's a new tight head on. There is an

escalation post as well. We haven't heard him issue any warnings but I

think tactically Sean is spot on. You need to start planting those

seeds from the coach on the touchline or skip on the pitch.

Let's see what Ireland can come up with.

They know the game is slipping away from them. Wales have been dominant

in the opening quarter of an hour of the second half. Looking to starve

themselves back on this game. The crowd getting behind them as

well. Peter Dooley going through the middle.

A brilliant run by the prop. A good hit on Joyce, Wales needed that.

Bagshaw is happy to put the ball off the park and Wales needed to keep

their wits about them there, because Ireland had the bit between their

teeth. Good rugby from both sides. Wales were under the cosh there. The

Irish runners have got that bit more urgency about them. A two score

game, they have to do something. It comes from a very unlikely source,

actually, the loose-head. Catches them by surprise. That is a good

run. In fairness, the Wales defence is

very strong. Darren Cave has got a try for

Ulster, they lead Ospreys 10-7. Wales are looking to pinch the ball

but Ireland safely have it. Good pressure coming from Wales, led

by Nicky Thomas. Wales have forced them back to the

ten metre line. Ireland have to start all over again.

Ethan Davies has hurt himself, going for the interception.

Ireland having plenty of ball at the moment and Wales having to put-in

tackle after tackle. It will take its toll by the end. It has been a

gruelling game. The drop by Ringrose. That will hurt

them. It is a very stoic Welsh defence, in fairness. Not giving

them any space. The Irish runners are coming hard.

That is the one, just took his eye off the ball to see where the

defenders were, but Wales at the moment with a couple of injuries.

Ethan Lewis, who put that tackling. Let's have an update from the

Alcester versus Ospreys game. Yes, the Ulstermen are coming back. A

great try from Darren Cave, put a bit of injection of pace into the

line. A mismatch with Duncan Jones, he goes too high and Rouen Pienaar

slots the conversion. Alcester go ahead 10-7 in the second half. --

Alcester go ahead in the second half. -- Ulster.

The elements, both sides better against the wind, so far.

Down goes the scrum, the second time of asking.

It is the tight head on the far side, Heffernan. He is getting a

word from the referee. A raft of replacements any second. As Sean was

saying, Ulster are coming back into the game, even more so because they

have a second try and extending their lead. If there is a break in

play here, we will go back to Barry Park, where Wales lead 9-0 and it is

another decent Welsh scrum. The Welsh captain is over! That is a

brilliant try! That is such a good try! The back row really working has

been the basis for Wales. That scrum has been excellent and Steffan

Hughes deserves to have a broad grin on his face. That could be a match

winner. Wonderfully executed try, in fairness. They go to the wire hair,

turning through 180 but he gets the advantage. Right in behind the Irish

defence. This is good finishing. The Irish defenders are in trouble, one

of the few occasions Wales have got behind them. It is the skipper that

slides in. That should, you think, be the winning try. Ethan Davies

puts over the conversion as well and it is all Wales in the second half.

Into the final quarter, they lead 16-0. Matt Taylor, Wales team

manager, what a great try? Yes, to be fair, showed patience and got the

ball in hand and converted the dominance we have had. An excellent

scrum in the second half. We got physicality going as well. A reward

with the try. Get You are making changes. What is the reason? Some of

the bigger boys up front, they are getting fatigued, so to keep the

momentum up front. Now it is managing the last 20? We have to

play in the right areas and apply the pressure, making sure that

defence is strong. Thanks for your time. A big shift from those boys

coming off, in fairness. They have been the reason why Wales are in the

position they are, with the scrummaging effort.

It is all going wrong for Ireland! That has been the story in the

second half, pressure from Wales. Irish mistakes. They get the benefit

there, they get the first offence. Another opportunity for Wales to

build something. I spoke too soon earlier. The second try that Ulster

had, was disallowed, so it is 10-7 against the Ospreys. Changes in the

Welsh front row, Scott Otten, the hooker, and Callum Lewis from the

Blues. Just as well the referee blew up

then because there was a temptation for Ollie Griffiths to kneel back

and get the ball, it was too great. Yes, missed the strike, straight

through. It happens in the scrum, ordinarily, but the whistle beat him

to it. Scott Benjamin has gone back to aid

from the open side position, James Benjamin, sorry. -- he has gone back

to eight. England have got half a dozen tries

and 40 points against Scotland at under 20 level.

Taggart wearing 20, in the scrum cap. He has come on in the Irish

back row. Too early against Heffernan. They

will ask for the scrum again, won't they?

The reset scrum, the chance for the latest Wales change. Dragons' Tyler

Morgan, wearing 23, on in midfield for Garyn Smith. Grandson of Joe

Swift, the former Pontypridd coach. -- Joe Smith.

He could not quite get his hands on it. Ireland safely have it.

Second change in the Irish front row. Coulson on for Peter Dooley.

All those changes in the front row, we'll see what that does. The

Ireland scrum is looking better. Yes, since the changes Wales have

not been as dominant. McCarthy to Byrne. Incomes

Fitzpatrick, straight through the middle from Fitzpatrick. He took it

on himself and Bagshaw got the tackle in. Dislodged the ball. And

that was certainly a chance. That was a lovely move. The blind-side

Wenger coming in off the wing. -- winger. Even though the Welsh

defenders are tracking him back, he has to try and fix that last man. A

precision pass would have done the rest. Just a hint of blocking by Dan

Goggin. That was a lovely move. Bagshaw did what he had to do.

Sheekey replaced in the second row by Rory Thornton.

Wales looking to put this game to bed now. This would be a big, big

win for them. It has been a tremendous second-half performance.

Wales have put in twice as many tackles as their counterparts.

He's a good player, the Welsh captain. Last week in Colwyn Bay,

when he needed to, he led by example.

Picked up by Robb. Wales calling for more defenders on the fireside.

Straight down the middle from Ireland. -- far side.

They really are playing for each other out there. Yes,

psychologically turning round after the first half went the way it did,

to have that belief, they have shown it very effectively.

What are your thoughts on that one? We have been talking a lot about the

contact. Critical for me would be the quality

possession Wales deliver in the tackle area. That was part of the

difficulty last week. We did not have that temple, that quality ball,

that cleanliness. -- that tempo. Pull delivery for once and it has

put Tom Williams under real pressure from Donohue. Wales have done

extremely well just to come out of there with the ball. The former is

all a big debt to the scrum-half for saving them. Nicky Smith.

Back to the hard graft for Wales. Inching their way down field. Get

away from the danger area. Tom Williams goes every, but goes out of

play. -- goes aerial. This Driscoll factor is so massive.

When you get dropped, arguably the most high-profile selection decision

of all time, and it will not be forgotten. For him, his team-mates

and the whole nation. Fascinating. The other Driscoll factor, in his

final year, they want to say goodbye in the best possible way. They will

be bouncing off the walls. Conor McKeon... Stephane Hughes is

injured at the moment. Just trying to pick any defensive position. He

will not want anyone running at him. Wales can give their skippers some

attention. Good positioning from the fullback.

Passports them under pressure. The ball was called out. On. Good

hounding by Wales. But basic errors by Ireland. But under pressure, as

you mentioned. Wales players have been chasing everything.

Advantage. A big advantage for Ireland. We comes McCarthy. A great

tackle by Ashton Hewitt. In those Conor McKeon -- in goals. Ireland

desperate to get their first points on the board.

All of side in midfield. In 1992, Neil Francis was failed by

Tony. What I loved about that story was apparently after the game Tony

complimented Neil Francis are not making too big a deal of it.

That was a belter. How we stayed on the pitch. How would the referee

just give him a finger wagging and that was it. He took it a bit too

literally, I think. The Welsh women have gone down to their second

defeat. 14-6. Ireland's women have one their game. The last of the

Welsh substitutes coming on, mate in the game. -- late.

On the ground clock, there is only a minute left. But that is not stop

clock. A few minutes to be added. But it is all academic as far as

Ireland is concerned. We'll is happy to see the ball in

there. They will be happy to see the ball of the park as well. Connor

Lloyd fires in back. Luke Price gets it away. Well done by the Welsh

defence. Two blank this Irish side takes some

doing. Especially the way they started. I'd expected big things of

them when they turned around in the second half.

Ireland have had their fair share of possession. Especially in the first

half. But Wales have responded extremely well. Coulson, their

replacement prop. The ball comes back from Taggart. But Wales

disrupt. Disrupt illegally however. No arms tackle. They have got to tap

and go, Ireland. They are looking for a few crumbs of comfort in this

game. Great tackling by Wales. They really have squeezed the life out of

Ireland. David Busby. Or Donohue. They have kept the lid

on him this evening after an impressive performance last week.

Heffernan looking for a Dan Leavy. A clever pass, but nobody there on the

end of it. Again, we'll subject in their back out of the 22. That Welsh

line is waiting. -- again Wales have driven them back out of the 22.

Garrett is penalised for hanging on.

James Benjamin has been given the man of the match award. Playing

seven this week. Visible again. I would have to look at scrummaging is

a collective effort. But the back row have profited from the effort.

One last effort from Ireland. Can Wales keep a clean sheet?

They haven't shirked their task at all this evening.

Again, piledriving into the tackle. Dan Leavy. Conor McKeon juggles the

catchers and gets the pass away. In the final minute of the game.

Ireland looking for their first points. Fitzpatrick, who could well

have got them on the scoresheet with that clean break. Those missed kicks

in the first half have not come back to haunt Wales.

Another penalty goes the way of Ireland. Again, they go for the

quick tap and go. Could be the last effort from

Ireland coming up. One more bit of defending four Wales. Heffernan

tries to get his way over. McCarthy. Still this Wales team will not give

up, will not let them in. Conor McKeon. Again, effectively hacked

through. Knocked on. That is a superb win by Wales, their best ever

win against Ireland. Only their second ever on Irish soil and to

blank this very good Irish team has been a quite outstanding effort from

Byron Hayward's boys. Steffan Hughes, the captain, with the only

try and the boot of Ethan Davies, into the wind as well as with the

wind, proving this -- proving decisive. The Welsh boys can feel

rightly proud of themselves. It is two from two for the Wales under 20s

and that is a performance they can look back on and savour. Conditions,

awful, but the performance, top drawer, and the victory of 16 -

zero. Yes, very impressed with that. We know from the stats that the

Irish under 20s are very, very strong here and that is a job well

done but in the early parts of the game it did not look as if it would

be coming but when they turned around, the mentality changed. The

wind can do that to you. You are thinking, you have got to carry

against the wind, they are giving us territory, and sometimes your game

goes and we saw both sides doing better against the wind. An

excellent win from Wales. 16-0, the try scorer, there is captain Steffan

Hughes and the man of the match James Benjamin joins us.

Congratulations, how does that feel? Fantastic, the desire throughout the

game was phenomenal and at the end in the defensive sets, 80 minutes

into the game and we defended superbly. I thought the front row

were outstanding and the whole team had a great performance. You made

double the tackles that Ireland had to make. Did it feel that type of

game? Yes, the conditions dictated the game would be tight and we

played a lot off nine and their attack was very good but the effort

we showed was phenomenal and I am proud. Man of the match, Newport's

pride and joy, how good was that forward performance? Fantastic, we

had a great base in the scrum which performs throughout the game. We

knew it was important to get territory and to get a try on the

board and we did it and towards the end it was pure effort and desire to

not concede points. A word for the boys tomorrow, the big one? Do a job

like we did. A great win for Wales, here is the story of the match.

We knew it would never be a thriller and the conditions did play their

part. Getting immensely hard. Ethan Davies missed five in the

first and took a couple in the second to take Wales into the lead.

The solitary try of the game, great handling, despite the ball being

like a bar of soap. It was decisive, 16-0 was the result for Wales and we

can go back down to Phil Steele, who is with Byron Hayward, who won the

Battle of Blaenau. You have won the battle, how good

was the performance, particularly from the forward? We needed a

massive performance into the wind and it was set by the forwards and

in particular the scrum. Tactically we were spot-on and the

kicking game was impressive. We took the chances, took the goals and

scored a try from a turnover scrum. Was there anybody at half-time that

did not have enough on the board? Possibly, but we had to believe we

were in front. We missed a few kicks but conditions were difficult. We

had to believe in what we were doing and they did that and I thought our

defence won the game, combined with the scrum. You may double the

tackles that Ireland made. Yes, I think until about 30 then it's into

the game we had 27% possession, so that is the reason for that. Well

said. A word for the boys tomorrow in Dublin? Yes, good luck to them,

obviously. Hopefully they can take encouragement from us tonight and I

am sure they will put up a good performance and give a positive

result tomorrow. Weldon, two from two. Cheers. Here's a mild mannered

individual, Byron Hayward, he did not seem as delighted as you would

expect but that was a significant result for his young team away from

home. Conditions were awful, he did -- he deserves huge credit. The last

two or three minutes the game was won and they could have thrown in

the towel and that Ireland get over the try-line but they were desperate

to make tackles, so huge credit and a show of character from the Welsh

lads. Forwards decide who wins matches, backs decide by how much,

and Wales were very workmanlike about what they did today. They went

about their business. We spoke about how they had to play the conditions.

I thought they did that really well. They mauled the ball, concentrated

on the scrum and did a fantastic job. I take my hat off to Wales, a

very good win. Thanks, very generous of you. Sean Holley, a mature

performance, the try sealed it but other than that defensively and as

Frankie mentioned, in terms of the approach, a mature performance from

a young team? Very mature, a lot of bravery, one thing they do similar

to their senior team this -- senior team is tackle and defend. It showed

in the tackle count but Richard Hodges has worked hard with his team

already. They adopt a low tackle focus and

make it difficult. There was a lot of Irish errors but it was caused by

the urgency and accuracy of the tackle. Even last-ditch, you see

Bagshaw, who has got to make this tackle and he does. Ireland spilled

the ball. A fantastic effort. The scrum was dominant, particularly in

the second half. Nicky Thomas and Nicky Smith and Ethan Smith did

fantastically well, dominating, and they knew in the second half, one

chance you will get. Benjamin, the man of the match, barges off and

gets the gain-line. Even though this is not perfect, the urgency of them

to get up in the line and support showed the team spirit they would

need to take the one chance. Fitting the captain Steffan Hughes took it.

Fantastic. Thanks. Martyn come you would expect the try when it

eventually came to have been a kind of bundle over from two yards out

but it was, given the conditions, impressive? Yes, the line and the

ball from Tom Williams, a great power, a big game. Glory boy seven

after all the hard work the front row had done. Brilliant hands,

clinical finishing one chance and it really isn't a game like this, you

get the one chance and the try, so valuable. Thoroughly deserved the

win. The man who lost the battle of Blaenau, Mike Ruddock, is with the

Phil Steele. Al played at forward, do you think?

We lost Sean Lock, the tight head and we needed his weight and

techniques. Once we lost him Wales got on top. They deserved the

victory. Last week we patted ourselves on the back against

Scotland, we scored well against them but well done to Wales, they

fully deserved it. I did not know they knew that much about forward

play? We know about forward play and back play. Tomorrow's game, so

evenly poised. How do you see it? It is, it will be a hell of a game. Two

years ago Stephen Furnace made a late tackle, and illegal tackle,

that won is a penalty from Wayne Barnes in the last minute and it

could come down to something like that. Joe Schmidt coming in, a bit

of momentum, it might just to pick Ireland's way but who knows, it will

be very tight. We have been talking about controversial moments. Between

Wales and Ireland over the years, all right. What is it about these

games that makes it so special and confrontational? They are physical

teams. The youngsters went at each other hammer and tongs upfront and

Wales fully deserved the victory tonight, but they are both Celtic,

passionate nations and that is what you will get. No quarter given or

asked. Are you wearing the daffodil of a shamrock? 50-50 again! You

can't quite believe with that accent he would be 50-50. Let's talk about

scrums. It was a bugbear of yours, we talked about the dominance but

Wales were achieving in that department and you were crying out

for substitutes to be brought on by Mike Ruddock to perhaps address that

problem. He left it too late, didn't he? The writing was on the ball at

half-time. This is an Irish scrum, this was the

Welsh scrum going forward and they were dominant but I made the call

and we both made the call to say why doesn't he make changes just after

half-time? This wasn't going to change. Look at this. It is not just

the scrum going back, it is the psychological damage that does do

not just the front row, the back row, the whole lot of them behind.

On 56 or 57 minutes the changes were made, the tight head and the

loose-head and the scrum turned around. I am not saying that Ireland

would have won the game but it would have been a close contest and nobody

minds losing but I think there was more in this Irish team and I think

they left a lot behind them and to be beaten 16-0 and probably should

have been beaten by more considering the penalties missed, it was

disappointing. The scrum was a contributing factor to the victory

and the Welsh defence. They put-in twice as many tackles as the Irish.

Some of the Blitz defending was aggressive and snuffed out

potentially dangerous attacks? Yes, impressive against Italy and you

find your character in defence and it was outstanding. To put your body

on the line and work like they did, really was top drawer. The attacking

is different with the Welsh national side, the defences based on the

Welsh blitz defence and they are Welsh -- they are well-organised and

having conceded a try in the last two games, it is working for them.

They came within inches of winning this tournament last year, defeated

by England who took the Grand Slam ultimately. Can you see them going

all the way on the evidence we have seen? They will take huge

confidence, particularly coming away from home. France next, England is

always the big one. They are so powerful, they have so much depth.

There is no reason why, on the basis of these first two games, they can't

win the whole thing. It is the psychological victory of winning

away from home and we spoke about the question at the start, what

thoughts will be going through these guys' minds as they arrive at the

ground and we get these negative monsters that jumping, you can't do

this or that and you can bet that during the course of that game there

were 100 other places they would rather have been, there lungs

burning and freezing cold, but to engage with that and overcome it

says a lot about Welsh team and the manner of the win. You enjoy winning

those games more, you have to sit in the changing rooms and there is no

better feeling. Going forward, it is a huge confidence and momentum for

them. Congratulations to that under 20s. Let's talk about tomorrow. We

have talked about it in detail at half-time but I will put you on the

spot. We will start with you, Frankie, will you predict and

Ireland win? It was close last week with my predictions so the golden

rule, don't do it twice in a row because you don't get it. The

bookmakers are giving Ireland a 2-point advantage and I would be

thinking that, it is quite accurate. The weather will play a role. Both

those teams, an interesting question to the coaches, is their stuff they

can pick up? They certainly can. They can watch the mistakes that

were made today and just getting on with the workmanlike way the Wales

-- the way that Wales won today. My answer is, Ireland. Before Sean

Holley packs up his bags, I will bring him in. Your prediction for

tomorrow? For what it is worth I think it hard to go against Warren

Gatland. He has proved time and time again, Wales will need to raise

themselves, Adam Jones is due a big game, Jamie Roberts and Scott

Williams, you have George North. I can't go against Wales. It will be a

passionate game, huge atmosphere, but Wales by two. Good man, so 1-1.

Martyn, the casting vote? Wales, I think they will. It will suit Wales,

the wet and windy it is, the defence and the power game. We have Leigh

Halfpenny and Sexton cooking, it will come down to that and he will

be the difference. 2-1 to Wales, the panel have been biased tonight but

thanks for your company. It has stopped raining, typical! We have to

go now but the big one is tomorrow. It has been a good starter. The main

course is coming tomorrow. We know the rivalry is a very fierce one but

we are all best friends really, aren't we? Good night.

# Give got a friend in me # You've got a friend in me

# Yes, give got a friend in me #.