Ireland v Wales Six Nations Rugby

And so we arrive at the final episode of this opening weekend.

France against Italy we always felt would go the way of the World Cup.

Scotland and England was always going to be scrappy. And now

Ireland and Wales, always a passionate Celtic arm wrestle,

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often going down to the very last So often at the final deciding

chapter, today is the start of a new book after the World Cup. Many

Irish players have scores to settle after the very recent past. It was

arguably the best match of the World Cup in New Zealand. That is

no consolation to Ireland. They travelled with such high hopes but

came up shored once again. It was a game where there were opportunities.

Wales took theirs. We did not take hours. On the big day and the big

occasion it is all well -- it is all about doing it on the day.

Ireland will have to do it without the injured Brian O'Driscoll, the

captaincy passing to Paul O'Connell. Just as likely to inspire. Sam

Warburton, so much more to him than just the man who got sent off in

New Zealand. But his dismissal undoubtedly contributed to the

agony of Wales losing in that semi- final to France. They might have

one of the whole thing, or is that just a flight of fancy? -- won. It

does seem strange to have done Ireland and Wales game without

rioters go and Shane Williams. There are a few new names on show

today. But there is a reassuring familiarity about many of the

leading figures. Inevitably the city is green and red, but mostly

green, and as warm-hearted and convivial as ever.

After a low-key albeit exciting start yesterday, we hope to

wretched things up habit today, with what is the most eagerly

anticipated match of the weekend. I enjoyed by Jeremy Guscott, Keith

Wood and Jonathan Davies. Jeremy, you can be dispassionate today.

What is your take on this? I cannot wait. There is so much class on

display here. You have probably got 80% to 90% of the Lions team

playing today. We're anticipating a huge battle. The best of the Irish

forwards against the best of the Welsh backs. The back row is just

huge. A lot of class. From your perspective, Keith, we have been

here before. This is the start of the next new era from Ireland. So

much expected. A higher you set your expectations, the more

possibility of them getting -? Absolutely. Declan Kidney has not

got caught Chopin that. -- colt up in that. They want to win this one.

From Orwell's prospective, they have almost whitewashed the

Australia game from memory. -- from the Welsh perspective. It is

managing expectations. Everybody had side of the Welsh camp has

forgot about the Australian performance. But if we do not get

it right, we do not win games. Revenge is on the cards today, so

everybody tells me. We have beaten them on the last two occasions. If

we get our set piece together today, the backs might have the edge.

Let's have a quick reflection on yesterday's matches. The Calcutta

Cup match was very tight. More than 8 million watched this yesterday at

the time. Not the greatest game. It was very exciting. The key moment

was the charge down of Dan Parks's kick by Charlie Hodgson. England

won Mac the Calcutta Cup for their new coach, Stuart Lancaster, and

new captain, Chris Robshaw. Earlier in Paris, four tries from France.

This is the best. Malzieu. He is a hard man to put down. He is a big

man. That was the second try in the first half, the first from Rougerie.

In the second half, this is Vincent Clerc's 32nd try for France,

equalling the number scored by Philippe Saint-Andre, the French

We have this year for the first time highlights on BBC Two tonight,

as we will have every single Sunday of the Six Nations. I should also

mentioned there is a lot of added highlights that you can have from

the ball of the Six Nations on the newly designed BBC sport website.

It is ridiculous the comprehensive. The two most potent superstars of

Welsh sport happen to have gone to school together, Gareth Bale of

Spurs and Sam Warburton, the Welsh captain. Three days ago, virtually

on the eve of a major international, Sam Warburton went back to his very

first rugby club as part of the RBS rugby force campaign.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming out tonight to see one of

the best rugby players on the planet. The man voted by Rugby

Union Writers' as their player of the year. Put your hands together

for the Wales captain, Sam Thank you. What a great reaction.

Sam, this is you're club, when you're young kid like these young

fellows here, did you dream that one day he would lead Wales out as

captain? Yes, when I was a kid I always wanted to be a professional

sports person. When I was about 13 or 14 I want it to be a rugby

player. I have always lived nearby. When I would be going down the

street with my headphones on, I would always think about playing

for Wales. There was a song I used to listen to and I still listen to

it. What is that Sans? Is by My dad has got 600 metal albums in

the house! Is that the new secure this into in the dressing room?

might come across as quite camp and placid. Inside I am absolutely

bubbling. Sam, you have had an absolutely unbelievable eight

months. You have experienced the highs, beating Ireland. Then you

experienced the ultimate lull in the sending off and the red card.

You have spoken about it endlessly. How are you feeling? I am all right

about the red card, to be honest. I lost my grandad before Christmas.

It made me realise what is important in life. I was Devitt --

devastated at the time of the red card. If you look at it in black

and white the player was picked up and Top, which is not acceptable.

If that sort of thing went on and was accepted, that might put some

people off. Coming back to Wales has definitely helped me get over

that into and. We have some questions. Who is your favourite

player? My favourite player is Martyn Williams. When I was your

rage he was playing for Wales and I thought he was the best player at

that time. He was the wells talismanic, especially in the Six

Nations. -- Welsh Talisman. I think you should give Sam and you're

sells a big round of applause. -- There he is. Jonathan, he seems to

have grown into the position as Welsh captain with remarkable ease?

Yes, he is a very level-headed guy. He gets about his job. He has drawn

a line under it and has forgotten about it. Everybody keeps bringing

it up. He has played exceptionally well for Cardiff Blues this year.

He has done a great job as captain of Wales. It has been very

impressive, the manner in which he has dealt with that. A lot of

players would have blamed somebody else and said maybe it wasn't a red

card. He said, yes, it was bad, it shouldn't happen, let's move on.

Interesting that he made that point in front of an audience of young

players? He did and he took the responsibility. That is a key

element for this young kids. Warburton is awesome. It is great

to see. Modern-day rugby is about the pounds and the pace. But this

guy works to Robert Lee, he gets down dirty and craft. If the Welsh

back row is going to be important, that half back row is equally

important. Ryanair Driscoll is out for the Championship. No Ronan

O'Gara either. The battle for the number 10 jersey is still one of

the fiercest topics of conversation. Jonathon Sexton gets the nod ahead

of the man of the rugby world knows as ROG.

Where do we go from the start of Unfortunately for Meite, kickers go

through hiccups along the way at times. I suffer mind. Probably to

have my most important games of my career on the world stage, it was

not easy to take at the time. I was happier with how I reacted, came

off the bench against Italy, had a couple of kicks. Even though the

match was put to bed, those kicks felt like they were to win the game

in my own head. I was happy with them. I'm happy with how I have

been going with Leinster. There always is a little bit. The

game plan is what is going to win us the game. Revenge may fuel the

first five or 10 minutes but it will not come down to winning or

losing the game. We have to recognise that and the Channel the

emotion. It is difficult because we're both coming from set-ups

where the majority of the time we start every game. We start all the

big games. We're the pivotal guys in our provinces. Coming here we

have to play a bit part. It is top. Often times we felt we should have

been picked. I think he had the World Cup and mind. He used both it

-- at different times in the World Cup. It is difficult. We need to

I love to run the ball at Leinster. Our coach luck sussed to run the

ball all the time but you cannot do that at international level. -- our

coach likes us. We need to pick up the pace when needs be. And I

thought at the end of the last Six Nations I got a grasp of that.

The expectations have to be high. The provinces are going so well,

everyone is enjoying success there. The goal is to win the first game.

But I think in the background they want to win another Championship.

Paul talked about that last night, he needs to have more than one win.

So Sexton gets the nod at Number 10 today. Ronan O'Gara is on the bench

and then there is Brian O'Driscoll. Do you drink it Sexton is now

indisputably the number one? think he is. His performances for a

Ireland and for Leinster's have been immense. He leads the forwards

Burwell. He has come on in leaps and bounds in the past couple of

seasons. None of us through the Irish team, front to back Press

Pack -- run at us through. It all starts in the front row. And these

three cannot afford any lapses in concentration. Paul O'Connell takes

concentration. Paul O'Connell takes over as captain. Am -- this is the

area at that Wales targeted in the World Cup. Look out for cholera

Mariek who is often compared with his opposite number today. Gordon

D'Arcy needs to take over some of the responsibility of the legendary

and missing Brian O'Driscoll. so that is the Ireland side and

here is the man trying to plot here is the man trying to plot

their downfall today, Warren Gatland.

If you could bottle what Wales had at the Rugby World Cup you would be

a wealthy man. How confident are you that you can recapture some of

that? The great thing about the World Cup is the time we had

together, but preparation. When we came to New Zealand we were fit, we

had the time to do that detailed coaching. So we are excited about

the Six Nations. Some big names missing especially in the front

five. Is that making you nervous? That is a Challenge for us today.

To get uptight front five. We have some vague backs out there. And

that will help us with the game. So it is important that the front five

do perform. Tell us about shamed Williams's replacement, Alex Peya

Brit? He is 6 ft 6 but he's pretty lean. He is quick, still has a lot

to learn. He is pretty green but he is a good finisher. He still has

them things to work on but he is a project to were gone for the next

couple of years and after that he will be very good.

Here is the Welsh team coming onto the field. All were well known

absentees, who do you think that Wales are going to miss most?

think Dan Lydiate played exceptionally well. But it is the

front five were missing. But Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins. And

that is where the big test for Wales is. It is a great opportunity

for them. If they can match the Irish back it would put them in a

great position. Jonathan saying that in Wales the World Cup is

banished from the history books. But for the Irish, how much his

revenge a factor? I think it does at the huge factor. Ireland left

something behind and they needed to perform at their height on the

Monday when they did not. I think their attitude was about five or

10% below what it had been. I think that Wales added them in that

quarter final. -- out dig them. It'll be interesting to see how

Ireland code. The work out a strategy against Australia. An huge

reception for the Ireland team as they are led out by Paul O'Connell

in the absence of Brian O'Driscoll. Down on the touchline we sold

sunnier talking to Brian O'Driscoll a few moments ago.

I don't know if they're watching today but Gethin Jenkins, Dan

Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones, or missing for Wales. But they do have Toby

Faletau of in the back row. How good is that young man? He is a

fantastic player. He has come on leaps and bounds in the World Cup.

I think the balance in the back row is going to be good. You have got

Ryan Jones who is an experienced old hand. Toby is quite and will

just be getting on with the game. Toby Faletau is up against another

formidable back-row forward, JAC -- Jimmy Heaslip. Jamie Heaslip is a

strong runner so it will be crucial for the team to stop him in his

tracks. But I think Toby would just be concentrating on his own game.

We had a quick word with Brian O'Driscoll earlier. His shoulder is

better and he's looking forward to playing rugby for many more years.

Talking to Matt Dawson at last night, we were talking about the

manner of England's victory and he's dead the first weekend of the

Six Nations is about winning, and getting the show rolling and

building momentum. Which you cannot do if you lose the first game. How

much is today just about the result and the style is a relevant? Pretty

much irrelevant, we saw that yesterday in Paris. They had some

chances but other than that I would say they were below par. They were

slightly conservative. I think in defence that is where Wales were

good in the World Cup. The winner today, it will be a great bowlers.

Wales have three home games. And then it Ireland go to France. They

don't want to be going there on the back of a home defeat. You need to

have that confidence. I think in that sense of Wales will be a

little low because of the World Cup. But the Irish players come full of

confidence because of the way they have been playing for stub Wales

have lost three in a row. They have and I think they will want to

address that coming here. It is just getting that win. That is what

makes this tournament so great. You have not got time to catch up. You

have got injuries and then the pressure builds if you lose your

first game. Perhaps it is a good game for Wales to start because at

home expectations are high. This is a tough game and Ireland stand as

the favourites. There's no will form to go one, it is more than two

months since they last played together. So it is how they start

with those new combinations. talk about Johnny sexting as being

a key person in influencing the direction of the game. But the man

passing the ball to him is another key element. He only has six caps

but he has all the time in the world. He made the step up to

international rugby and did it not seem to put him under any pressure.

I think the Irish boys are all playing well. The key for today

could be their fitness. But usually they do play well. But who knows

today what form they bring to the competition. And if they increase

their knee injuries they could be wiped out. They must be 100%.

were being cagey about naming the team and leaving it to the last

minute. Now they wanted to go to Poland, just to get more fitness

quicker. But it was a big risk. Let's see how it goes to their full

stops to the winner is? Island. Ireland. I feel that Ireland will

win today. # Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl

i mi. # Gwlad beirdd a chantorion,

enwogion o fri. # Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr

tra mad. # Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

# Gwlad, gwlad. # Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad.

# Tra mor yn fur i'r bur hoff bau. # Come the day and come the hour.

# Come the power and the glory. # We have come to answer our

country's call. # From the four proud provinces of

Ireland. # Ireland, Ireland.

# Together standing tall. # Shoulder to shoulder.

# We'll answer Ireland's call. # Ireland, Ireland.

# Together standing tall. # Shoulder to shoulder.

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# We'll answer Ireland's call. # Come the day and come the hour.

# Come the power and the glory. # We have come to answer our

country's call. # Ireland, Ireland.

# Together standing tall. # Shoulder to shoulder.

# Ireland, Ireland. # Together standing tall.

# Shoulder to shoulder. # We'll answer Ireland's call.

Aviva Stadium. Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Day two of the Six Nations

and perhaps the most appetising of the three opening games. Ireland at

home to Wales. It is a very familiar looking Irish pack. Paul

O'Connell takes all the captaincy Ronan O'Gara, on the bench. Wales

are five light of their World Cup pack. Always the comforting

presence of Adam Jones on Tighthead. Rhys Priestland, fit, Jamie Roberts,

a fake. Injury scares in the build up. The midfield combination for

Wales are available. Whether they are truly fit, Philip Matthews,

we're about to find out. How do you see it? Or Warren Gatland saw the

tight five being the key area. He will want to see Wales achieve some

parity there. Mike Phillips has had a pivotal role in both of Wales's

last two wins over Ireland. A mouth-watering battle between the

two back rows. So many little cameos and little individual

battles. Fascinating afternoon. Wayne Burns is today's referee.

Rhys Priestland get it under way. - start for Conor Murray. He put real

pressure on Mike Phillips. He spilled the ball. If he had jump

higher, he would have been taken out in the air. Ireland content to

go all laid down there. Wonderful work by Priestland. Not such a good

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pass by George North. Brilliant by Bowe could not hold on to it. No

advantage. Conor Murray taken out. Penalty to Ireland. Conor Murray

taken out at the ruck. Ireland want to get that quick ruck ball. So far

we have not seen at the Welsh defence really crack. They have

stood up to it pretty well. This gives Sexton and a early

opportunity. He will want a good start to boost his confidence for

the rest of the afternoon. Ryan Jones was the Welsh player

mentioned by Wayne Barnes. Jonathon Sexton harked back to his off days

as a kicker. I remember him against Northampton in the Heineken Cup

final. Very much a good day. What a performance. Kicking, running,

most of it. Perfect start. As always, a restart so important.

Ireland need to keep their property see if there was anything

on. Nothing opened for Jonny Sexton. Ireland will really want to put

pressure on the Welsh line-out. They change in the Welsh second row.

Bradley Davies at the front of the the ground early. A metre short.

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Half and leader assured. -- half Paul O'Connell was involved. Ryan

Jones. He's over the line. Has he got it down? The arm of the captain,

Sam Warburton, goes up. Geoff Warren may be busy. REFEREE: Let me

just make sure that he can here. has to be clear. We have to see the

ball being grounded clearly by Ryan Jones. You will not be able to tell

from that angle. It is the other side, I think. Yes, he has got his

hands on it as well. This might be it. Addis held up. Yet again, Wales,

all coming from that quick line-out. Bradley Davies had the pace. Really

got in behind the Irish defence. Good Irish defence close to the

line. Managed to hold it up. With a strong Welsh scrum, they will have

to do it all again, Ireland. This is interesting, when Sam Warburton

claims the try. Might be a little bit too late. He he's giving it a

fair bit of time. -- he is. You cannot see the ball been grounded.

Ireland did well just to pack the frame with bodies to obscure things.

I cannot see how that will be given. Ryan Jones got it back from Donncha

O'Callaghan. Did he get it down? Sam Warburton says yes. Geoff

Warren says... It is inconclusive. No score. Scrum five attacking.

Inconclusive. Paul O'Connell pack in the backs of his front row. He

has called for or extra effort here. They will have to be careful. Five

metres, the full width of the pitch for the Welsh team. George North

has already come into a position behind the scrum of the left wing.

It is a massive Welsh three-quarter line. George North, Jamie Roberts,

Jonathan Davies, Alex Cuthbert. bit of over aggression. A little

bit too keen. Free kick. What will Jonathon Sexton do here? Will eat

kick it in field -- keep it in field, or give Wales the throw-in?

That was an early signed that Wales are not one Honda per cent

confident in the line-out. They threw the ball short. Pollock, will

want to put real opportunity on Bradley Davies and Ian Evans. --

Paul O'Connell. A bit more pace and he would have gone all the way.

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well defended. Good work by Toby Faletau. Wales have decided they

are 90 talent at the breakdown. There are not going to give or

Ireland all their own way. Produce Mac making very -- life very

difficult for Conor Murray. -- they Roberts did not quite take it at

full pace. It has come back for Phillips. Ireland tried to hold in

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and see what be able to in the line-out. That was fantastic, I

Evans started it with a disguise. It all looked as if it was going to

him. Bradley Davies goes down there, there it goes. Ireland have turned

Wales over but there was a double knock on.

Wales will be pretty happy the way things are going at the moment.

They are very competitive. Nothing to choose between these sides.

Already signs that the Welsh backs are trying to impose themselves

physically. Jamie Roberts looking pretty sharp. Huw than it

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celebrating his 50th cap today. -- free-kick. Quickly-taken by Ryan

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I think that is a try. They really packed the short side there, Wells.

-- Wales. That is a try. They are fully deserve that. There are

looking dangerous and confident. That is a superb pass. The only

doubt there was whether a hip or knee had touched the line. Tommy

Bowe needed to stay out there but has come in to make the tackle.

That is a try, no doubt about it. There's nothing you can do against

that pass. The key to it was the way they stacked that blind side as

well. Put both Irish defenders under real pressure. So well worked

conference? It is almost like the World Cup all over again. A big

psychological boost for Wales with that tried. Now Ireland need to

respond. Sexton changes direction and goes straight down the middle.

Paul Alcock in front of the kicker at the restart. Just when you want

to get back at the opposition, because they are vulnerable, having

scored. Just a bit over eager from Paul O'Connell who are to be honest,

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off his feet. Plenty of green Priestland, realised he was on his

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sequence of phases, Ireland and doing their best to turn it over.

Dean macro it are not posing much of a threat going through the

phases but it is putting a lot more pressure on Ireland who are in

danger of letting some frustration get into their game. So far very

few line-outs. There was a debate in Wales on who would take the

kicks. Leigh Halfpenny has been doing very well. The points go

Wales may have the numbers on the left now if they can work it. And

Wales must restart with snowballs. Tackled by Bradley Davies. An

untidy finish. It was an ideal opportunity for Ireland to throw

some momentum their way but some credit to the Welsh team, they have

put the Irish under pressure and come away with points as well.

Well you could argue Bradley Davies got man and all but from an offside

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They just need to put pressure on the and force Ireland to play from

within their own 22. He did not want to expose young Alex Cup

brought against two defenders. Rory Best will throw into the Irish goal

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outs figured out pretty well. A Alex Cup but has got a quick boat,

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in the game. A wonderful kick. Sexton just coming off the inside

the Welsh throw. If Ireland are kicking up a bit too cheaply to

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wales, their regaining it at the back for the scrum. That was a rare

mistake by Wales. Stretching Ireland on almost every occasion.

That is the kind of thing that will open up a lot more space. Wales,

for all their possession and territory, will want to put more

points on the board. Ireland will have their own pressure. So far,

they are losing the Territorial game. Sam Warburton is receiving

treatment. Andy Nicol. We saw the try that Wales scored. This is the

phase before. Two phases before. Tommy Bowe all screaming for

support. Mike Ross need to come cross. Look at what he is facing

down the blind side. Wales have got for attackers. -- four. Two phases

later, the same mistake happens for Ireland. They do not have enough

defenders. Greater offload by Rhys Priestland. Perhaps it was another

soft try. It was not as well created. Everybody seems fit enough.

Wales have dominated territory. And that with a struggling line-out.

Yes, are Ireland put in a lot more pressure on Huw Bennett in the

line-out. -- Ireland putting a lot Penalty. Advantage being played.

Awarded now. Wayne Barnes goes over. Good work by Conor Murray. Yes,

just slip that ball to Tommy Bowe. That was an intelligent ball.

Phillips on Tommy Bowe. Referee Matt Rogers to be careful from now

on. The penalty still remains. -- for that? Rhys Priestland missed a

couple of kicks so far. This would put Ireland back in front. They

would be pretty pleased with that. They have been stuck in the Rhone

half for most of the last 20 minutes. -- in their half. Wales

have had a real period of dominance. All they got was Rhys Priestland

smashing the ball against the post. His conversion also hit the post.

Jonathon Sexton with the chance to put those kicks into context and

They don't like it. He took longer over that one. I am sure he

recognised the importance. He pushed it just wide. Still, it

gives Ireland the territory. He too funny how the silence that precedes

the kick can become even more quiet when he misses. Silence leads to a

surely Rob Carney took out Leigh Andrew Trimble. I am not sure the

Garryowen by Jonathon Sexton was the right thing there. It gave

Kearney a chance to compete for the ball. It has handed possession back

to Wales. They have learned their lesson. They have cut the line-out.

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We Rhys Priestland was obstructed behind. Ireland need to keep the

ball in hand. They have been guilty of kicking the ball away. They need

to hold on to the ball whenever they can. Unfortunately it is

another Wales line-out. They did well to get the turnover. There

wasn't enough support for Fergus McFadden. Tommy Bowe over running

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tackle by Jonathan Davies all in the grip. Ireland get the put-in.

That was crucial. Ireland really needed to turn that turnover over.

Where as doing so well. Their defence had been excellent. A

really competitive at the breakdown. A real attacking opportunity. This

is where the turnover comes. Jonathan Davies not allowing Andrew

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Trimble to get the pass away. He for the first time. He lost the

ball. -- Healy. That is much more like it from Ireland. Much more

like it. They are getting their back row into the game. Heaslip and

O'Brien combining, making yards and getting in behind the Wales defence.

Great hands by Gordon D'Arcy. Cian Healy just spilled the ball.

Ireland failing to hold on to the ball. A lot of it is due to really

good aggressive Welsh defence. Sam Warburton the tackler there.

distance apart. Ireland whip the edge on the engagement. -- with the

Somehow they have scrambled it back. The first sign of stress in their

own 22. Donncha O'Callaghan making a nuisance of himself. That was a

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fine kick. Andrew Trimble got it Ireland will be hoping for

something better than that penalty. Ireland have got something better!

Rory Best with the try! It look simple in the end. But it is not

always simple just did do the simple things, get the ball through

their hands. Tommy Bolt made that one. Amassed -- Tommy Bowe. A

little bit like the Rhys Priestland. I lovely little drawing behind.

Ireland had the weight of numbers with them. They have done well. The

statistics will not really tell the tale of this have. Territory and

possession has been all Wales. Ireland have done well to get

themselves back into this. The were signs that Ireland would get in a

more fluid game together. Wales have not had much reward for their

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good passages of play. Ireland in A try apiece. And after that it was

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simple. A great response, that is or with the advantage, having been

Well this is what has six Nations game is all about. Twisting one way

and then the other. Just the most fantastic try outscored by Wales.

We will look at the statistics in the second but how are Wales not in

front? Because they hit the post with a couple of kicks but also

Ireland have worked their way back into the game with that great pass

from Gordon D'Arcy and Ben Rory Best scoring that try for Ireland.

What did they make of that on the touchline? Well the first thing to

say it is a great game. The crowd here really absorbed by it. But

from what a Welsh perspective, how worried will they be that there are

not more points on the board? good 20 minutes Wales were dominant

in that game. They will be confident and there to go knots --

their juggernauts have just started moaning. There are so many big

names missing for Wales. But they have been competitive upfront.

front five and the back row, they have been solid in defence. They

have been carrying the ball very well. The guys have really rolled

up their sleeves to do some work today. Just a shame that they do

not have the points on the board for all the effort they put in.

pundits before the game all picked Ireland to win the game. What did

Wales have to do to stop that? sometimes you need to go with your

heart and at the moment Wales are playing with a lot of heart.

They're playing with a lot of aggression and direction. They have

a few tricks up their sleeves as well as we saw all with that line-

out that led to the first try. we can say for sure is there are

still more twists and turns to come in this game. And when you look at

the facts and figures from the first half they have changed

dramatically. Because at one stage Wales had three-quarters of the

territory and almost the same amount of possession. But a couple

of line-outs last. A good game. Absolutely brilliant. Huge energy

and from the very start, Wales under pressure in the first couple

of minutes and then it just blossomed for 15, 20 minutes.

do you explain them being down? Ryan Jones try, was it, it was it

not? The reaction of the players, it depends on the question of the

referee asked. But great recycling, great composure. But ultimately,

fantastic Irish defence. The am out of tackles they had to make a net

25 minute period was immense, and the discipline. So a great game of

rugby. Compelling. Ireland are so cool. Even with dean macro having

this amount of territory. -- Wales. He well from the first minute you

knew it was going to be a good game and it kept going with the same

momentum. In one passage of play Wales had so much recycling of the

ball. The way that Ireland managed to hold out is extraordinary.

pressure there from the Irish, that really short ball. But it was

relentless. For about five minutes it was just days after phase. And

you knew that Wells had to score. In and out, up against Jamie

Heaslip, who is no slouch. It is just great play from both sides.

Jones does very well. We know from the reaction of the players around,

the question of is this a try are not. Does common sense not to his

tenure that that is the try. know that without a shadow of a

doubt. It is down to the question, is there any reason not to award

the try. They're copping out a little bit, I think. They have to

prop forwards. Tommy Bowe is a good footballer and he knows that the

ball is going to come in. It is a great skill to offload. I do not

know what they're doing. They're not numbering up properly. A great

skills, a great finish, as super try. What have you made of the

performance of a race Priestland? Well his options are very good. But

sometimes he is not so clinical. That is a good kick. Then again he

goes wide. That is a bad miss and he knows it. From the point of view

of the Irish, the back row had been storming. That is what Ireland want

to get, more of their back row into the ball. Getting momentum. This is

one of the best links. That is them at their best. I think Wales have

done a pretty good job to another fight that. -- another five.

Some injury news from the touchline. Just hearing that Wales will be

without captain Sam Warburton who has got a dead leg. So Justin

Tipuric is going to come on in his place. Well when we saw the

statistics from the first half about the line ups, and Wales have

lost three of them and at key moments. All at key moments, they

had so much possession and territory. They're working hard to

get the ball but then when they get a great attacking platform it has

become sloppy. And that was because of hesitation from Huw than it.

line-ups have not been great for them. But then we saw Ireland

comeback. Just watch this again. It is numbering up on the short side.

So we Sprissler and those in. -- Rhys Priestland. But then they are

caught in no-man's land. If one goes in, the other has got to go in.

Just showing their inexperience at this level.

And Warren Gatland mentioned beforehand that there is a lot that

he needs to learn. A little hesitation going from foot to foot.

But if one player goes in, everyone has to go in. Because then it not

there is a natural gap that opened up. It was a great try and a great

opportunity. That was Ireland's only chance to score. Those passes

we just perfectly placed. So they did hold great composure. They were

patient and they needed to be because there was relentless

pressure. Ireland have been very good slowing-down the rate of

possession. The hands had been in there. And when Rory Best scored,

it was the pace of the recycling. Any thoughts that you might have

about the match to date or yesterday, there is a form coming

up after the programme at 5 o'clock on the red button. So go to the e-

mail address. And we will have I am sure it an interesting 30 minutes.

This Championship and -- NZ Twickenham. In the week after that,

this happens. 2012. The year that sport gets

serious. Sport Relief is back and it is your chance to be part of the

UK's biggest year of sport. We want the whole mission to get together,

get active and raised a lot of cash. You can get behind it, really

changing lives by doing the Sport Relief Mile on Sunday March 21st.

We wanted 1 million people to take part this year. You can raise money

by buying these lovely Esox. Or one of these Sport Relief shirts. We

will have the jaw dropping celebrity challenges and then lots

of entertainment. Go the extra mile So that is at the end of that Six

Nations. At the end of this match later on tonight BBC Two has Match

Of the Day. And then later on tonight we have the Superbowl. That

is BBC One, 10:55pm. I'm just hearing that James Hook is

playing. That is interesting. But how much will Sam Warburton be

missed? He will definitely be missed, he is a good footballer. So

he will perhaps add something different but not be as competitive

in the tackle area. It will be interesting how bait reshuffle. --

Cuthbert has been called off because of the error in defence. I

do not think James Hook is a fullback. We will miss the pace of

Halfpenny. It is fascinating. Undoubtedly the best half of Six

Nations rugby so far. Can this be Cuthbert. And instantly Wales are

captaincy. Sam Warburton replaced at half-time. Injury. Sonja

no advantage to Wales. Ireland will have the put-in. Ireland managed to

get the turnover. They got Jamie Heaslip up they're very quickly.

That was a well placed kick by Jonathon Sexton. It will be

interesting to see if Declan Kidney has asked Sexton to play the ball

1 stepped left and then went on the floor. Yes, you can see we skill

going down. -- Rhys kill. This is Ireland. They have not really done

anything. But Wales have made a very untidy start. Yes, you have to

wonder how much damage the loss of Sam Warburton will do. Would

Ireland have turned that ball over if he had been there? He has been

ever present on that ball all eight points. -- lead. Wales C

Ireland stretched away from them. - - Wales see Ireland. That will make

it a little bit easier for Ireland back. You can expect to see Ireland

play more territory. Putting the pressure back on Wales. Very much

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

the way Wales did in the first half Ireland. Paul O'Connell is probably

pleased to see that. They will want another crack at that line-out. It

lineouts to Wales in the first half, they won five. Ireland will be

increasingly happy to get the ball into touch, particularly if Wales

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

are going to take a slow, orthodox Barnes a little reminder there that

there were hands on the ball. James Hook steps up to take this

one, maybe the substitution was for another reason. Rhys Priestland has

not been particularly confident. Gordon D'Arcy lingering too long

over that ball. No, priest and is going to take it again. --

Priestland. Neil Jenkins with a few words of calming advice. That is

probably as much as Wales could have expected out of that. Ireland

seemed confident when the ball is going through the phases. Wales

just looking for that one quick ball where they Kenny three their

three quarters. So far, are Ireland frustrating that. Important this

if you are feeling it, that is where you're going to feel it.

Kicking under pressure. Head down. Wales are going to have to make

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

some kind of a change. That was a Kill did well. He was on his own.

They are in the right part of the field, Wales. That was great

turnover ball by Justin Tipuric. Maybe Sam Warburton's loss will not

be felt just as much. Justin Halfpenny is already walking in

from his wing. Who will take the kick? It is against Fergus McFadden.

McFadden needed to get out of the way. O'Brien was challenging for

the ball. Ireland again giving the ball away. They have given Wales

this penalty opportunity. Pretty much as they were in the first park

of the first half, or Ireland struggling to hold on to the ball.

Leigh Halfpenny replacing Rhys Priestland as a kicker. That change

was on the way. It should be comfortable enough for him. This is

a tiddler for him. He has been kicking from all distances for the

That will settle at the Welsh Development of this second half.

Looked at as though it was going to drift wide. It had as little bit of

sub-plot here. What might have been a chance for Ireland to counter is

now a Welsh throwing. -- throw in. You could see the discussed on his

face. That is a little lift for Wales. Just after scoring they have

managed to get the ball. They have a good position just inside the 10

Davies! George North, Jonathan Davies! It is happening for Wales

all of a sudden. Again there was a physicality there. There was are

bad missed tackle in the middle of the park. Look at the physicality.

That was a poor have missed tackle from Ireland. Jamie Roberts got the

ball away. That has been the danger. Wales looking so much more

dangerous. When Wales get the ball with space, that is the danger.

Ireland have been comparable when Wales have been going through the

long throw. It was a smart line-out. Ireland would not have been

expecting that. It was a great ploy. How can Ireland respond?

Two tries for Jonathan Davies. Again it is Justin Tipuric who

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

gathers the ball for dean macro. -- Ireland. It has opened up. And the

points should be flowing. It was that Welsh tried that was really it

forcing Ireland to up the pace. Ireland at looking so much more

dangerous when they are able to get their back row into the game. They

would love to have seen it five or seven points there. It is electric

at the moment, really has opened up. Jonathan Sexton taking his time.

Giving the forwards are breeder because the pace has increased. --

kick, exactly the same result. Ireland regained the lead. This

game could go either way. You really could not put money on

either side at the moment. I do not think we have seen the end of the

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Stephen Ferris does not risk the they had. That is where I think

Ireland are getting it wrong at the moment, they are kicking far too

much. The team that are going to win this are the team that are

going to be bold. Both sides playing it a little bit cagey at

the moment and that board needs to O'Callaghan comes off. Wales in

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Donnacha Ryan. Tommy Bowe was facing the wrong way but he kept

his calm. A few minutes ago Ireland looked absolutely stuck on for a

try. George North set up the try. But he just accelerates into the

space. He realises there is a lot of danger and he just closes down

Paul O'Connell. Good decision and a cracking game we have got here in

the last 15 minutes. have been pretty big. In terms of

try-scoring opportunities you would have to say that Wells had probably

created more and I think they could well close this one out. So far,

tactically, I think they are just that little bit sharper than

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

Ireland. They have reduced the be a red card. Donnaha Ryan has

Another twist in the tail. I'm sorry, that is a red card. I cannot

see how that is a yellow card. Players have to be paranoid about

that. That is dangerous. If he had not turned his head... I cannot see

how that is a yellow card. And the ball was so far away. Absolutely.

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to be. There was a report on how countries deal with being down to

14 and apparently Wales by the West when they're down to 14. -- are the

worst. Missing Bradley Davies will put even more pressure on Ms line-

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out. Paul O'Connell charges on. goal line. Tommy Bowe scores! Grape

variety by Ireland. -- great variety. Over goes the Tommy Bowe.

Maybe that it was a timely statistics. Great courage from

Jonathon Sexton to take that ball sold because when they had got so

close to the forwards. -- so deep. What a gorgeous pass. It was the

pace and the accuracy of that pass by Rob Kearney. Had that stalled or

slowed, Tommy Bowe would not have made it. The accuracy under

pressure. You have got to hand it to Ireland. They have taken the

opportunity of the 14 men. This is not from Sexton's strongest side.

But this would time as six point lead into an aide point lead. --

10 minutes. You said baldness would win it, Philip. Jonathon Sexton put

himself into a deeper position. He striking distance. Here is that

statistic. Wales have only scored two points when they have had an

advantage. When they are down to 13, they concede seven. Well, they have

conceded five already. Tommy Bolt did the damage. Adam Jones is off

bit of confusion at the ruck. It is safely therefore Colin Murray. --

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

Good work by Jamie Heaslip. Ireland want to close this one out,

they must continue to be bold. If they start to play defensively and

kick possession away, they will bring Wales on to them. Wales have

only one option, to keep the ball in hand and go for the try. That

This will eat away time. If this goes over, it will be the sort of

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eight points that Wales generally pushed it. Still, it is territory.

Is forcing Wales to play from their own 22. -- is forcing Wales.

Ireland will be happy. Tom Court is coming on. Cian Healy is going off.

The old shot putter comes on. Cian Healy has been very good.

Beautifully taken by Paul O'Connell. Fabulous catch. That is away at --

penalised. This is it just about the first time Wales have got their

hands on the balls into the sin-bin. That was Tipuric again. He was in

there so quickly on the ball. Just what Ireland did not need to do.

That was a very good kick by Rhys Priestland. He took the risk of

going for the Longsight of the ground. -- long side. They have

only got as Six point lead. So there is a lot of pressure. There

is also pressure on Huw Bennett to on the charge. Straight through

week Irish tackling. The power of George North! Nobody is claiming

the try. George North likes it. They do like it. They do like it.

It was all too easy. It is the other question, any reason not to

allow the try? Look at the physicality of George North. That

is a definite try. Getting through three Irish defenders. Looking very

small, particularly in midfield. The Wales three-quarter line has

dominated the Irish three quarters. Can Leigh Halfpenny convert this

for a famous Welsh wing? -- win. is funny that no the kicking

pressure is on the Halfpenny. -- now the kicking pressure. Who is

that having attention over their? - still. Bradley Davies is back on

the field. Wales back to 15 men. They trailed by a point. Ireland

ring more changes. The way this game is going, three minutes is

like an age. Ireland should have done better. Tackling far too high.

The ultimate chess move. If you want to see again out, where are

you going to pick? On comes the old master, Ronan O'Gara. It is only

for three and a bit minutes. What a winger. Good Feed by Priestland. --

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 81 seconds

are saving George North from one It is the old tape tackle. -- tip

tackle. Bradley Davies dismissed corrected the tackle off the ball.

Ireland giving away a penalty. Stephen Ferris is going to be being.

Wales will have the kick for the match. That did not seen anything

as bad light Bradley Davies. -- as bad as Bradley Davies. You can see

the enormity of that Wayne on Stephen Ferris's phase. Who is

going to step up for this? Leigh Halfpenny. You would not give it to

anybody else at this stage. No, I am sorry. I just do not see that.

That was not remotely dangerous. He has landed on his side. If you lift

a player off the floor and you drop that player, it is foul play, it is

and the clock is still running. 20 seconds to go and the referee has

stopped to watch. Reminding Ronan Wales has won in Ireland it in a

match that has been dramatic from start to finish. Dramatic,

controversial, exciting. It has been at Belturbet. -- belter.

Ireland 21, and Wales, 23. Ireland has simply could not cope with the

physicality of George North, they took their chances, Wales and they

deserve it. They bided their time and took their chance.

Paul O'Connell a disconsolate figure coming off the pitch. What a

result for Wales at the start of the Six Nations. Three home games

in Cardiff. But they have won on the road. Mike Phillips very

influential at scrum half. And he has had another very good game. And

Leigh Halfpenny stepped up, took over the kicking duties went NICE

Priestland's form had collapsed. He sent the final penalty straight

through the middle and Wales have through the middle and Wales have

won. Well it is never dull, not for one

singled second. What were the emotions when you had to stand up

and take that penalty? It was the hardest kick I have had to take in

all my life. As soon as it went over the emotion came. We have to

deal with the miss against France in the World Cup. But this makes it

all worthwhile and I'm so pleased to see it go over. It was a

fantastic Test match. You can hear at the Welsh fans singing. What was

it like to play in that? It was end-to-end stuff. It was an

exciting game. A tough test and all credit to Ireland. They really gave

us a tough game. The scorer was back and forward and I'm just

pleased to have been part of the game and to get a result for the

rest of the campaign now. Well done to you and go to join your team-

If you were jaundiced about the game after watching at Murrayfield

last night you must be euphoric at the other end of the emotional

scale because that was a classic international that began in

dramatic style and finished even more dramatically. So many talking

points from start to finish. What does that results mean for Wales?

Three home games. They now have a great chance of winning this

Championship. But what a fantastic game of rugby. The tackling in the

scrums, you always talk about the negative side of that but it was

brilliant. Both sides played with wit and depth. I think the running

of the Welsh back line it may be significant difference. Even though

at the line-out creaked a lot I thought it was an immense

performance. And the yellow card, we will talk about that later. But

to come back and get that penalty and win the game was a tremendous

effort. These are the kind of games that we grew up watching. You think

back to Europe use and there were his epic games of rugby. This was

one of those, in full colour, absolute magic. It might all the

way to the end. Even with a bit of controversy. But to have the win at

the very end, it is truly a phenomenon more for the game.

try at the start of the second have shifted the balance of power in

favour of Wales. George North, he runs in, his job is to get to

Gordon D'Arcy. He gets out site, he just smashes into Fergus McFadden.

And that is a brilliant try. People say he cannot score from a set-

piece. But just watch the hit and the offload after it. This kid is

19 years old. The physicality of the impact. And that a slight of

hand, that is magical. I always moan about a lack of skill in the

domestic game's but that is superb. That is as good as bought New

Zealand to do. And the subtlety of the past. We mention Scotland

yesterday and the opportunities they created. Jonathan Davies is at

sniffer. He can sniff out a try. Sometimes you wait, but ram the

ankle and try to get the ball. And that was a brilliant try. What

about Bradley Davies and that tackle? That is a bit of a cheap

shot. You do need to knock away individually. But this is a

straightforward red card. Off the ball, dropped, tipped onto his head.

What is the difference between that and Sam Warburton in the World Cup?

That is even worse. I do not like red cards in matches, baseball

matches. But of the ball, that was really stupid. And that nearly cost

Wales the game. And all sports, footballers, whatever, talking

about umpiring decisions, they just want consistency. And where is the

consistency their? It is not there. It would have been a red card in

the World Cup for that. And I suppose it will be yellow cards all

the way now. He picked him up and dumped him on his head. I think the

I R B have to look at this quickly. They should not wait for the end of

the season. How are you taught as a kid to lift someone. If you land on

your back that is OK, you learn to write a tackle. It duly came go as

we have seen their, there is a clear definition which is which. At

the moment players do not know what they are doing. And also, we had

Sam Warburton before the match on the programme talking about how he

in retrospect knows that effectively it was a red card

offence because of the image that it projects for young people or for

parents saying, I do not want my child to play in a game like that.

They know that if they hold on to them and the leg goes up at 90

degrees, if you hold on to that player you know that he will land

on his back and not his neck. There's a clear difference. And

once they clarify that then the gain will be a lot better for it.

And when Tommy Bowe scored, you thought Ireland were going to win?

I did. They had the opportunity. was so narrow. They recycled the

ball, its own narrow. And it was a great pass. They thought it was

going to be a drop goal. The key is to not panic, believe in their own

ability. That comes from the fact that the provincial sides are doing

so well and they have their own individual confidence.

colleagues on our tea gave them mad a of the match to Mike Phillips. --

the man of the match. George North had to be man of the match. 6 ft 4,

16 stone. And going through three guys. Those Irish defenders are not

going in lightly, but that momentum. He is only going to get bigger!

this a deserved yellow card? Was at a penalty? Was at the moment that

should have decided the game? looked at it at the beginning and

bought it was a quick decision. There is an element of momentum. He

does bring his knees above his shoulder and he does tip on the

corners. And by the clarification given before the World Cup...

does need to be looked at. I do not think that was the yellow card.

do not think it is even a penalty. There was nothing dangerous about

that. Well huge disappointment in the Irish camp. Let's hear from

their captain. When Tommy Bowe scored did you think that is it, we

have won the game? Not really. We have put ourselves in a great

position to win it. There was work left to be done and we did not do

it. What made the difference ultimately between the sides?

was a couple of mistakes by as towards the end. That missed tackle.

That is ultimately bought it came down to, the penalty as well.

So this is what the table looks like after the first weekend of the

Six Nations. And what a fabulous way to round things off with a

match of that quality. It means that France are on top. England and

Wales the other winners this weekend. You can see highlights

tonight on BBC Two just after 10:30pm. And on the red button

tonight, we have a forum coming up shortly. And also on the red button

tonight at 11 o'clock you can see the final of the Champions Trophy