:02:43. > :02:46.A hint of spring in the air, but we are still in the grip of an icy
:02:46. > :02:52.winter, and some are battles against the Australians feel like
:02:52. > :02:56.an eternity away, so what we all need to banish those dark days of
:02:56. > :03:02.January is a pick me up. When ordinary sporting medication is not
:03:02. > :03:07.enough, you reach for the ultimate rugby antibiotic, to banish those
:03:07. > :03:11.winter Blues. Where better to start than at the Millennium Stadium in
:03:12. > :03:16.Cardiff, Wales against Ireland, always close, a match that often
:03:16. > :03:20.goes down to the very last role of the dice. Then Twickenham, England
:03:20. > :03:24.against Scotland. England beat the All Blacks, Scotland lost to Tonga,
:03:24. > :03:29.all of which will count for nothing at 4 o'clock. And the opening
:03:29. > :03:32.weekend concludes in Rome, Italy against France, the outsiders
:03:32. > :03:36.against the joint favourites, underdogs against strutting
:03:36. > :03:41.Goodall's, all about momentum, this first weekend, you simply have to
:03:41. > :03:51.get off to a good start. This is how it all shapes up, all 15
:03:51. > :03:56.
:03:56. > :04:01.This is the oldest rugby trophy in the world, the Calcutta Cup, made
:04:01. > :04:05.of Indian rupees and first played for in 1879, and the latest renewal
:04:05. > :04:10.of the old rivalry is at 4 o'clock this afternoon here at Twickenham.
:04:11. > :04:13.Before that, the Six Nations Championship of 2013 begins at the
:04:13. > :04:23.home of the Six Nations champions, and the Grand Slam winners from
:04:23. > :04:25.
:04:25. > :04:31.The Six Nations, where will the drama come from this year? We are
:04:31. > :04:41.off and running! Dramatic, controversial! Lancaster begins his
:04:41. > :04:51.
:04:51. > :05:01.regime with a victory! Wales have That is not good enough! The game
:05:01. > :05:08.
:05:08. > :05:14.Four of the five pieces of the jigsaw are now in place. Wales
:05:14. > :05:22.strike against France! They are won the grand slam! It has been a
:05:22. > :05:26.Since Wales lifted his trophy in March, just about everybody has
:05:26. > :05:36.been belting them. They may have won three Grand Slams in eight
:05:36. > :05:47.
:05:47. > :05:57.years, but right now they could do # So this is what they talk about
:05:57. > :06:11.
:06:11. > :06:16.# Why does it always fades to Disgusted by it all. That is
:06:16. > :06:23.worrying, from the Welsh point of view. All over the place.
:06:23. > :06:33.shambles! Wales are the masters of their own demise. It is an
:06:33. > :06:38.embarrassment, to have any Rob Howley in charge of Wales as
:06:38. > :06:43.Warren Gatland concentrates on the Lions tour. But no Rhys Priestland,
:06:43. > :06:48.Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charters and Dan Lydiate. A big day for another
:06:48. > :06:52.Dan, Biggar starts at outside-half, his first Six Nations match. Declan
:06:52. > :06:56.Kidney has his own worries, contract up at the end of the
:06:56. > :07:00.season, making a very bold step, Jamie Heaslip is captain instead of
:07:00. > :07:06.Brian O'Driscoll. We will hear from O'Driscoll soon. This was the toss
:07:06. > :07:12.a short while ago, Sam Warburton won the toss and has decided to
:07:12. > :07:14.kick off the first match of the Six Nations 2013. Good afternoon and
:07:14. > :07:19.welcome to the Millennium Stadium for what should be another
:07:19. > :07:24.pulsating match between two great rugby nations, two great players
:07:24. > :07:30.here with me, Jonathan Davies and Keith Wood. How excited are you?
:07:30. > :07:35.very excited, it is a great stake, the opening match, not only for us
:07:35. > :07:38.working on it, the spectators, but also, you know, it is a very
:07:38. > :07:45.special time for the players. Terrific atmosphere building
:07:45. > :07:51.already. It is high that outside. It is very hard to guess, but the
:07:51. > :07:55.expectation for the opening weekend is always magic. In the past couple
:07:55. > :07:59.of weeks, I am sure you felt it as well on the streets of Wales,
:07:59. > :08:04.people will have been asking you what has gone wrong, a lot of doom
:08:04. > :08:09.and gloom after seven consecutive defeats. Where has it gone wrong?
:08:09. > :08:15.Nice easy question to start! I just think that confidence is a problem
:08:15. > :08:19.at the moment. Looking back on the results, I just feel tackling was a
:08:19. > :08:24.problem in the autumn, and then just composure and closing games
:08:24. > :08:28.down. That for me was the case, especially against Australia. That
:08:28. > :08:32.was a game they could have and should have won, and now it is a
:08:32. > :08:36.question of getting momentum and confidence back. For them, it is
:08:36. > :08:41.like a fresh start. People forget, we are the Grand Slam champions,
:08:41. > :08:45.this is a new tournament, a new start, and it is a tough game, but
:08:45. > :08:48.we are capable of winning it if we play well. Do you agree that all
:08:48. > :08:55.the things they did so well in winning the Grand Slam last season
:08:55. > :08:58.have not come off this year? No, it has not come off. In the last three
:08:58. > :09:03.Grand Slams, eight years, the following season they have suffered
:09:03. > :09:07.to get that continuity together. They have tried extra things, they
:09:07. > :09:12.have been too confident or not confident enough. It becomes very
:09:12. > :09:15.awkward very quickly. Having last seven games on the trot, they are
:09:15. > :09:19.now back to the start of a new season again, and it is whether
:09:19. > :09:25.they have already got that he got out of the way. And Adam Jones is
:09:25. > :09:29.back. The scrum will be good for them. Ian Evans is crucial. If they
:09:29. > :09:34.can get a good ball from their set- piece, we have talked about this
:09:34. > :09:39.before, with the size of their back line, they are going to go forward
:09:39. > :09:43.and be tough to hold. I think the set pieces crucial again today.
:09:43. > :09:50.What about Ireland? How important was the winner against Argentina?
:09:50. > :09:54.They showed composure in abundance. They did, and looking at one game
:09:54. > :09:58.puts Ireland under additional pressure. It was a good performance,
:09:58. > :10:03.but Argentina did not turn up, and that has lost over some of their
:10:03. > :10:07.errors. With a lot of the guys back from injury, confidence is high, I
:10:07. > :10:13.just hope it is realistic. To get the inside track on Ireland, who
:10:13. > :10:16.better to talk to than Brian O'Driscoll? Jonathan travelled to
:10:16. > :10:26.Dublin to talk about Ireland, the Lions and, perhaps most importantly,
:10:26. > :10:26.
:10:27. > :10:35.the captaincy. Brian O'Driscoll! O'Driscoll skips in the side!
:10:35. > :10:41.nerves are settled. It is going to Back from injury at the start of
:10:41. > :10:46.the season, how is the body doing? Yeah, it is getting there. I only
:10:46. > :10:51.played five or six games, an innocuous ankle injury turned into
:10:51. > :10:56.having to get surgery, and then on my return, I rolled the other ankle,
:10:56. > :11:01.the good ankle, but I am hanging in there. You have timed it well, will
:11:01. > :11:05.this be your last Six Nations? There is every chance! I have not
:11:05. > :11:09.allowed myself to think about finishing. I think if you start
:11:09. > :11:14.deciding early, you know, you have one foot in retirement already, so
:11:14. > :11:17.I have not allowed myself to think about it. I am contracted to the
:11:17. > :11:21.summer, I will see that out and then see how the body feels. There
:11:21. > :11:24.is a strong possibility that this could be the last one.
:11:24. > :11:32.captaincy has been given to Jamie Heaslip, what are your thoughts on
:11:32. > :11:36.that? My initial thoughts were disappointment, but then Jamie did
:11:36. > :11:42.a good job back in November, and I presume Declan is looking forward
:11:42. > :11:46.to 2015, the World Cup. I am not going to be part of that, so not
:11:46. > :11:51.leading the team at now, I will have to find my own spot in the
:11:51. > :11:56.team and in the line-up. But that will not be too hard, I'm sure I
:11:57. > :12:01.would get him in a headlock! reception for Brian O'Driscoll,
:12:01. > :12:07.leading out the Ireland side... Playing at Cardiff is always a big
:12:07. > :12:11.occasion, a great place to play. Yes, for me, it is the best rugby
:12:11. > :12:16.stadium I have ever played in. The atmosphere is incredible, you
:12:16. > :12:20.always get a good vied with the Welsh and Irish fans. There is not
:12:20. > :12:26.a huge Rimmat between the two teams, it is who performs best on the day,
:12:26. > :12:30.and Wales have had the run of it the last few games. We have the use
:12:30. > :12:33.the positives that we got in November, that big result against
:12:33. > :12:38.Argentina to carry forward, and that is where we have fallen down.
:12:38. > :12:43.We have been wonderful at times, Bath and then really had a son sub-
:12:43. > :12:46.standard performances. 60 years to win a Grand Slam, to win five
:12:46. > :12:52.consecutive games is part of this competition, because everyone can
:12:52. > :13:00.beat everyone else. The Lions are a long way off in your mind, but that
:13:00. > :13:03.will be your last Lions tour. can be pretty confident of that!
:13:03. > :13:07.Listen, there is always so much hype in the build-up to it, but
:13:07. > :13:10.that is part of the anticipation about the tour, that is the
:13:10. > :13:14.greatness of the Lions. It just shows the achievement involved in
:13:14. > :13:19.getting on it in the first place, to captain it would be a massive
:13:19. > :13:23.honour, I got to do it once, albeit only for 45 seconds of a Test match,
:13:23. > :13:27.but first and foremost I have to put myself in a position to get on
:13:28. > :13:32.the tour and deserve my spot. Fascinating interview with Jonathan
:13:32. > :13:36.Davies there, interesting body language as well. Two questions,
:13:36. > :13:40.what was your role in Brian O'Driscoll becoming captain,
:13:40. > :13:46.because you were the last man to captain him in an Ireland jersey?
:13:46. > :13:50.And is it the right decision? way we set up, succession planning
:13:50. > :13:55.in the past, I went to say that he would be the captain after me, to
:13:55. > :13:58.try to get used to the things the captaincy involved, a couple of
:13:58. > :14:02.years before that, but he became captain very quickly because I was
:14:02. > :14:06.injured. I came back as captain, and I think he was involved as much
:14:06. > :14:11.as he could be, and it was an easy transition, which I am a believer
:14:11. > :14:16.in. From his body language, I think what he actually said, that
:14:16. > :14:20.transition did not happen, I do not think he likes it. The one thing
:14:20. > :14:26.about him is that he is pure unadulterated quality, and
:14:26. > :14:30.professional, he will deal with it perfectly. It hurts, but it is
:14:30. > :14:34.something is comfortable with, he has never shirked it, he has never
:14:34. > :14:38.changed the way he is, and it will not change him today. He will
:14:38. > :14:41.deliver big time for his captain, but he is hurting himself. What was
:14:41. > :14:48.your hunch when you ask him that question cut my exactly the same,
:14:48. > :14:52.he is a proud Irishmen. He wants to captain the team. I spent a lot of
:14:52. > :14:58.the day with him, he was in a great place, comfortable, Back Lane,
:14:58. > :15:02.looking forward to the Six Nations and this season,. -- back playing.
:15:02. > :15:06.Also, he and his wife are expecting their first child, so it puts a
:15:06. > :15:16.different perspective on life. He was in a great place and really
:15:16. > :15:26.
:15:26. > :15:32.Toby Faletau is fantastic. Look at Toby Faletau is fantastic. Look at
:15:32. > :15:41.the statistics. They are fantastic for an international. He does not
:15:41. > :15:47.get over the line enough. If they have done their homework on
:15:47. > :15:54.If they have done their homework on in, they can hold him up. That is a
:15:54. > :15:59.key area to go forward with today. A big call made by Declan Kidney.
:15:59. > :16:04.He has been speaking to us. As first games go, how tough is
:16:04. > :16:09.this, bearing in mind your record against the Welsh? That is why they
:16:09. > :16:15.picks this as the opening fixture, maybe. There have been some good
:16:15. > :16:21.games between us. It is possible that today will be no different.
:16:21. > :16:25.Jamie Heaslip is captain. Why have you overlooked the big man? Bryant
:16:25. > :16:30.needed some time to get himself right. -- Bryan. He has been
:16:30. > :16:35.speaking up, as he does, and sometimes it is the coach's job to
:16:35. > :16:41.look after the individual. Keith, earlier, you spoke to some of the
:16:41. > :16:50.lads on the pitch. And what is the atmosphere in the camp? They are
:16:50. > :16:58.positive. They have picked two lining wingers. -- lightning. If
:16:58. > :17:00.you look in general terms, the Irish have to rub Wales with the
:17:00. > :17:06.Irish have to rub Wales with the ball. The back-row has to make
:17:06. > :17:11.certain that Wales cannot get a quick ball out to the wings. It is
:17:11. > :17:18.just about getting to the ball quickly.
:17:18. > :17:23.How excited are Irish fans about seeing these two quick wingers?
:17:23. > :17:25.of the pleasures when you see players in the clubs' stadiums is
:17:25. > :17:31.there's and intake of breath when there's and intake of breath when
:17:31. > :17:38.Simon Zebo gets the ball. Gilroy has not got much experience, but he
:17:38. > :17:43.has fast feet. He wants the ball. Wherever the play is, he wants it.
:17:43. > :17:49.People get excited by that. watched it Murray a few years ago
:17:49. > :17:56.against England, and you said, he is very well. Has he matured into a
:17:56. > :18:02.Test player? Yes. It is amazing how these things happen. Everybody
:18:02. > :18:08.makes mistakes. This season, he has got consistently better. A man
:18:08. > :18:14.under pressure is Rob Howley. Rob, first time at the helm in the
:18:14. > :18:18.Six Nations. Are you nervous? looking forward to it. I spoke to
:18:18. > :18:23.the players this morning. They have a huge amount of self-belief. It is
:18:23. > :18:30.a great opportunity for our boys. We are not going to give up our
:18:30. > :18:33.Grand Slam Jan Sheahan -- Championship. We have had some good
:18:33. > :18:38.games against Ireland in recent years. We have come out on the
:18:38. > :18:45.winning side a couple of times. much it today about winning, end of,
:18:45. > :18:49.given that you have lost seven on the bounce? Your first game in the
:18:49. > :18:53.Six Nations, you focus on that. Momentum is important. They are
:18:53. > :18:58.isolated games. But you need to get off to a winning start so you can
:18:58. > :19:04.look forward rather than back. have got a list as long as your arm
:19:04. > :19:09.of second row forwards missing. Are you concerned? Not at all. Andrew
:19:09. > :19:15.Coombs has come in. We have a wealth of experience there. Iain
:19:15. > :19:21.Evans has been important for us as well. Good luck.
:19:21. > :19:25.He looks relaxed given that he is a man under pressure. Jonathan, you
:19:25. > :19:29.see Dan Biggar a lot. Are you pleased that he has been given the
:19:29. > :19:33.nod over James Hook? I am pleased nod over James Hook? I am pleased
:19:33. > :19:39.he has been given an opportunity. It has one of the things where you
:19:39. > :19:48.start at hook and give them the opportunity to run the game. Now he
:19:48. > :19:53.is playing week-in, week-out. Do you start with hook? Or do you go
:19:53. > :19:59.with Dan Biggar? He is a form player. It is going to be crucial,
:19:59. > :20:03.the battle between these two. If these two can bring their regional
:20:03. > :20:06.club form to the international club form to the international
:20:06. > :20:11.stage, it will have a huge impact on the result of today. They both
:20:11. > :20:18.play so well for the last brace and Leinster, but have not managed to
:20:18. > :20:24.bring it to be next level. -- the are sprays. It is the first time he
:20:24. > :20:34.has started, really, because he has been thrown in usually. Sexton, if
:20:34. > :20:36.
:20:36. > :20:39.you ask anyone who is the stand of guy? It is him. It is his chance to
:20:39. > :20:44.guy? It is him. It is his chance to cement his position. Let's look at
:20:44. > :20:49.the Wales team in detail. You have to have some sympathy for
:20:49. > :20:57.Rob Howley. They have world-class locks out injured. It is a huge
:20:57. > :21:01.game today for Evans. He has got to dictate the line-out. There's the
:21:01. > :21:11.back row. We know what they have got to do. The half-backs are
:21:11. > :21:11.
:21:11. > :21:16.crucial. These boys can really target the opposition. I feel it is
:21:16. > :21:19.Adam Jones who is crucial, and Adam Jones who is crucial, and
:21:19. > :21:27.Evans and Andrew Coombs. Ireland are bound to target the second row.
:21:27. > :21:31.They know that Evans is not match- fit. You have to be worried.
:21:31. > :21:36.Adrenalin will carry him so far. But then, when the game hits him,
:21:36. > :21:41.he will have to make a substitution. We are lucky that we have got Ollie
:21:41. > :21:47.Kohn from Harlequins who has come from out of nowhere. It is a big
:21:47. > :21:52.test for Evans on fitness. Would you have gone with Tipuric as well?
:21:52. > :22:02.I feel sorry for Rob Howley. Selection has been Ki. Tipuric has
:22:02. > :22:04.
:22:04. > :22:08.been a stand out player for Wales. Shingler may have to go to the
:22:08. > :22:13.second row. Selection has been difficult for Rob Howley. I hope
:22:14. > :22:23.the players who are coming back from injury can play for an hour.
:22:23. > :22:30.OK, let's speak to a former Wales player. It is Martyn Williams.
:22:30. > :22:37.For the first time since retiring... You have been talking to your
:22:37. > :22:41.former team-mates. How do you assess their frame of mind?
:22:41. > :22:45.Surprising. On the back of seven losses, you would think they would
:22:46. > :22:52.be low in confidence. They had drawn a line under the autumn. If
:22:52. > :22:57.you look at the side, it has almost full-strength. Can't wait for the
:22:57. > :23:04.kick off. A big day for Rob Howley as well. How confident are you that
:23:04. > :23:09.he can emerge from Warren Gatland's shadow? A very confident. It was
:23:09. > :23:14.difficult in the autumn - was see in charge or not? He knows it is a
:23:14. > :23:19.massive game. If they lose, there will be a lot of pressure, but he
:23:19. > :23:25.is a great coach. You are about to go and join the commentary box.
:23:25. > :23:31.Thank you for now. The atmosphere is building up
:23:31. > :23:36.nicely here, Jonathan. I just want to ask you about those new in
:23:36. > :23:43.experienced wings for Ireland. If you are Rob Howley, do you say
:23:43. > :23:53.Casper, George Nov, have a crack at Gilroy and Simon Zebo? -- Georgian
:23:53. > :23:57.North. I think they will use it more down the middle first of all.
:23:57. > :24:05.Kidney says, lads, you have got fast feet, run at those big lumps
:24:05. > :24:10.on the wings. If you are the two Irish winger's,
:24:10. > :24:16.you are going to say, I am going to avoid those two. The Welsh back
:24:16. > :24:21.line is incredibly experienced, and apart from Dan Biggar, it has won
:24:21. > :24:28.the Grand Slam. It is a part-time - - about time they stood up and were
:24:28. > :24:34.counted. It is such a deafening noise here. Dan Biggar is usually
:24:34. > :24:39.vocal. You have got to communicate well. But Halfpenny has been superb.
:24:39. > :24:44.When the ball goes to him, he has got to look for work, look for
:24:44. > :24:53.angles. O'Driscoll has said he is not getting any younger. He will
:24:53. > :24:59.try to stop the ball going out. Also, if you keep the width as well,
:24:59. > :25:06.there are bigger gaps for the Irish to defend. When has there ever been
:25:06. > :25:12.as much excitement? Amazing. It was just quiet for a second and it was
:25:12. > :25:16.like a moment's silence. I read an interesting interview in the week.
:25:16. > :25:24.Sean O'Brien now says he sees Wales-Island games as grudge
:25:24. > :25:31.matches. Given the history, and especially the World Cup quarter-
:25:31. > :25:36.finals... It is comforting to be bitter when you needed. Ireland
:25:36. > :25:41.want to come out here to try to ruin the party won the first
:25:41. > :25:46.weekend of the Six Nations. Also, they play each other every week in
:25:46. > :25:52.their lead. They know each other extremely well. There's not much
:25:52. > :26:00.difference in them. This game, if you go to the audience, it would
:26:00. > :26:04.cut 50-50. Nobody can call it. is so close. I want to call it. I
:26:04. > :26:12.am going to start being positive, and I think Ireland are going to
:26:12. > :26:19.win 10-8. On that note, I am going to say that Ireland start as
:26:19. > :26:25.favourites, but I have got a feeling that I will go for Wales.
:26:25. > :26:30.was not expecting this! With the whole injury situation, I thought
:26:30. > :26:40.Ireland would start as favourites.... But I know that you
:26:40. > :26:40.
:26:40. > :26:50.say to love to play here. What is it likely Jamie Heaslip gets the
:26:50. > :26:58.throwing the ball? It is a huge pleasure. -- what is it like when
:26:58. > :27:03.Jamie Heaslip gets a throw-in the ball? It is just phenomenal. This
:27:04. > :27:09.what you have waited for, for the last 12 months. The noise is
:27:09. > :27:16.phenomenal. These are what dreams are made of. This is what you have
:27:16. > :27:23.wanted to do since the age of 10. You want to go out as captain.
:27:23. > :27:30.not miss playing. The body has given up. But the best feeling in
:27:30. > :27:35.the world is when you stand there - the anticipation, the adrenalin,
:27:35. > :27:39.the emotion is just incredible. If you could bottle that, it is the
:27:39. > :27:48.best feeling in the world. It is also controlling the fear of
:27:48. > :27:53.failure. Everyone in the stadium and at home watching feels the same.
:27:53. > :27:59.But there's only a few people lucky enough to do it. It is just the
:27:59. > :28:05.best. And in sport, there's nothing like a Six Nations Championship, is
:28:05. > :28:15.there, Keith? It is perfect sporting nationalism. Nationalism
:28:15. > :28:16.
:28:16. > :28:22.is frowned on in every way, except here. Everybody in the world would
:28:22. > :28:32.love to have a tournament like this. Here they come! Turn up the volume
:28:32. > :29:02.
:29:02. > :29:08.Absolutely incredible. What is going through that young man's mind,
:29:08. > :29:13.now, Dan Biggar? He has to focus on what is going to happen. He has got
:29:13. > :29:23.to get his first kick in, his first tackle, and then just baas everyone.
:29:23. > :29:24.
:29:24. > :29:29.He has got to be there as if it is just his one hundredth cap. Is the
:29:29. > :29:33.camp split? I think they will want to do well for Brian O'Driscoll.
:29:33. > :29:39.And they will want to do well for the new manager, too. That is where
:29:39. > :29:44.the fear factor comes in. We join our commentators in just a few
:29:44. > :29:54.moments. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the Six Nations 2013 is
:29:54. > :30:03.
:30:03. > :30:08.# Come the day and come the hour. # Come the power and the glory.
:30:08. > :30:11.# We have come to answer our country's call.
:30:11. > :30:21.# From the four proud provinces of Ireland.
:30:21. > :30:21.
:30:21. > :31:10.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:31:10. > :31:20.# Ireland, Ireland. # Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl
:31:20. > :31:24.
:31:24. > :31:34.i mi. # Gwlad beirdd a chantorion,
:31:34. > :31:34.
:31:34. > :32:49.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:32:50. > :32:57.# Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr Stadium, sun-kissed under a blue
:32:57. > :33:03.sky. Wales under Rob Howley, their coach. Andrew Coombs, 28, wins his
:33:03. > :33:07.first cap. Aaron Shingler in from Dan Lydiate. Very familiar in the
:33:07. > :33:12.three-quarter line, except for Number Ten, Dan Biggar takes over
:33:12. > :33:18.all the responsibility at fly-half for Wales. Jamie Heaslip continues
:33:18. > :33:23.as captain for Ireland, 17 tries scored by that starting eight,
:33:23. > :33:31.seven by Heaslip, seven by Rory Best. Brian O'Driscoll is back, not
:33:31. > :33:39.as captain, winning his 121st cap, Ireland's leading try-scorer by a
:33:39. > :33:43.mile, with 45. Olly Kohn, wearing 19, will win his first cap or Wales
:33:43. > :33:51.if he comes on. Romain Poite of France takes charge of the opening
:33:51. > :34:01.game of the RBS Six Nations 2013. The defending Grand Slam champions
:34:01. > :34:01.
:34:01. > :34:46.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:34:46. > :34:50.against the side that has title Good afternoon, Eddie, we motored
:34:50. > :34:55.our first set piece. We were talking about how important they
:34:55. > :34:58.are going to be, scrums more likely to be even, the really key set
:34:58. > :35:04.piece will be the line-out, and that is where Ireland are looking
:35:04. > :35:11.for an age. But important that they have a solid scrum as well, and
:35:11. > :35:15.that they do not give Adam Jones, returning, the upper hand. Getting
:35:15. > :35:25.Jenkins has not played much rugby this season, the big move to Toulon
:35:25. > :35:28.
:35:28. > :35:34.Mike Ross on this side, Adam Jones? Well, we will not see yet, Wales
:35:34. > :35:44.with the free-kick, early engagement by Ireland. Toby Faletau
:35:44. > :35:44.
:35:44. > :36:33.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:36:33. > :36:37.Murray, I think everyone in Wales thought that ball would go up again,
:36:37. > :36:41.but it gave Jonathan Sexton the obvious choice, to stick its deep
:36:41. > :36:46.into territory. He will feel confident doing this today, on the
:36:46. > :36:56.assumption they would get the upper hand in the line-out. Ian Evans,
:36:56. > :36:57.
:36:57. > :37:07.Wales do favour the front of the line-out. Yeah, quite significantly.
:37:07. > :37:25.
:37:25. > :37:31.wearing 11, so Ireland have gone for pace, not necessarily size on
:37:31. > :37:41.their wings, Craig Gilroy, Simon Zebo. This is Dan Biggar, another
:37:41. > :37:48.
:37:48. > :37:58.chance to claim another number 10 giving the Irish front five go in
:37:58. > :38:30.
:38:30. > :38:38.quite a few, and you can see what Wales have done in terms of the
:38:38. > :38:46.selection in the macro, trying to get a bit of height with Shingler.
:38:46. > :38:52.-- in the back row. The second row will be struggling without Alun Wyn
:38:52. > :38:57.Jones and Davies, they have gone for the line-out option. Yes, they
:38:57. > :39:02.really need to guarantee possession from the line-out. That is not to
:39:02. > :39:09.say that Tipuric might not get some gain time as it progresses, he has
:39:09. > :39:15.been in fantastic form all year. -- game. It looks like Mathew Rees
:39:15. > :39:23.will have to God for a couple of stitches. Held together by some
:39:23. > :39:27.petroleum jelly! That is Sean O'Brien on the ball. He is going to
:39:28. > :39:37.want to get himself on the ball, but he will have to look after the
:39:38. > :40:05.
:40:05. > :40:14.is Ian Evans on a charge. He has not played for a long time, how
:40:14. > :40:19.will he last? He looks in good form so far. Penalty to Wales. Yes, so
:40:19. > :40:25.far Wales pretty much dominating possession, forcing Ireland to kick
:40:25. > :40:30.a bit. No real obvious patterns developing yet. Very much in the
:40:30. > :40:34.settling down period. You can see Ireland at 66-30 for possession, we
:40:34. > :40:41.expect the territory to be different, yes, a little bit more
:40:41. > :40:51.even. Wales get a decent line-out just outside the Irish 22. We have
:40:51. > :41:02.
:41:02. > :41:12.bleeding. 237 caps between the three front row forwards or Wales.
:41:12. > :41:29.
:41:29. > :41:33.-- his ally. The line-out has gone bit of consolation from that. They
:41:33. > :41:37.got Donnacha Ryan up in the air early, he has really impressed me,
:41:37. > :41:42.he had a fantastic Six Nations last year, filling the void that had
:41:42. > :41:48.been left, and I would make in-and- out sidelines contender. He is very
:41:48. > :41:52.understated, but he is keen to the Irish line-out. He pinched more
:41:52. > :42:02.ball than anyone else last year, just a brush of the fingers,
:42:02. > :42:23.
:42:23. > :42:27.another claimed by Ireland on the from the scrums. We have only had
:42:27. > :42:36.one completed scrum so far. It is the curse of the game, the failure
:42:36. > :42:40.of scrums to be completed. You can see Gethin Jones -- Gethin Jenkins,
:42:40. > :42:50.he needs to keep his shoulders were. Now, a nice attacking position for
:42:50. > :43:02.
:43:02. > :43:12.Ireland. They will be looking for for Ireland. Sean O'Brien, wearing
:43:12. > :43:17.
:43:17. > :43:23.seven, with the ball. Now it is Knock on by Wales, Ireland will
:43:23. > :43:27.have a good attacking position. Well, when they used that maul,
:43:27. > :43:34.they might have expected to go wide a little bit early, but they got
:43:34. > :43:40.Wales moving backwards, but Conor Murray puts it wide, getting into
:43:40. > :43:47.Craig Gilroy's hands quickly. That is the knock-on, that gives Ireland
:43:47. > :43:50.a very good attacking scrum, big open-side. As we prepare, it is a
:43:50. > :43:56.feature of the Welsh defence that Jonathan Davies does come off fast,
:43:56. > :44:01.and often on his own, and when it works, it works. Like you say, when
:44:01. > :44:11.it works, it works, but you are vulnerable if you miss the guy, you
:44:11. > :44:19.
:44:19. > :44:23.get the overlap, so it is a big first job, what is in your mind?
:44:23. > :44:28.is not so bad for Sam on this side, he has got Phillips to do the
:44:28. > :44:34.defending for him, so he gets the weight behind Adam. It is the other
:44:34. > :44:38.side, the blind side, where you are a little bit nervous as a flanker.
:44:38. > :44:48.We have got a fascinating Conor Murray, he likes to snipe, big
:44:48. > :44:48.
:44:48. > :45:35.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:45:35. > :45:43.had to stretch to take it. He controlled it and it put Simon Zebo
:45:43. > :45:48.in. Watch this. Look at that pass. Those wonderful hands. Wales should
:45:48. > :45:58.have done better. They took their eye off Simon Zebo. You don't want
:45:58. > :46:37.
:46:37. > :46:42.feet. -- picked for his speed. points. Wales did not do much wrong,
:46:42. > :46:51.but they gave too much space to Simon Zebo. Brian O'Driscoll's
:46:51. > :46:55.hands did the rest. There it was. Very little room for error there.
:46:55. > :47:05.People had been questioning O'Driscoll this week. He is a world
:47:05. > :47:41.
:47:41. > :47:50.class player. Ireland are back in Hold the ball, carry it up. It has
:47:50. > :47:56.been a speciality of theirs. He is world class. Might not quite have
:47:57. > :48:04.the durability he had in the past. His body is probably running on the
:48:04. > :48:08.limit. But he has still got that world-class touch. That will be the
:48:08. > :48:18.start that Ireland want. They will not want to let Wales build any
:48:18. > :48:20.
:48:20. > :48:30.confidence at home. Wales will have wanted to get the crowd behind them.
:48:30. > :48:33.
:48:33. > :48:41.Matthew Rees' wound has reopened. He will go off. Brian O'Driscoll
:48:41. > :48:51.has made an impression already. He is back. That is the fabulous take
:48:51. > :48:57.
:48:57. > :49:07.again. He just got outside Davies. I think the Welsh stood off. It
:49:07. > :49:07.
:49:07. > :50:10.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:50:10. > :50:13.to run at the scrum sternly. -- that one. He brought Cian Healy
:50:14. > :50:22.down to a low position. Maybe that is why the penalty was given that
:50:22. > :50:26.way. Wales have given Ireland a set-piece in a place they are
:50:26. > :50:36.confident. They will be talking long and hard about this one,
:50:36. > :51:15.
:51:15. > :51:25.Ireland. He just went down first, there. That was a poor throw. They
:51:25. > :51:26.
:51:26. > :51:36.are lining up to defend, not attack. That is why they were flatter. Did
:51:36. > :51:36.
:51:36. > :53:47.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:53:47. > :53:54.not want to risk taking it on, They are hanging on by their
:53:54. > :54:01.fingernails. It would be a boost if they are able to hang on. Ireland
:54:01. > :54:11.came close again. Again, quick hands. Just gives you right half a
:54:11. > :54:17.
:54:17. > :54:27.yard. But it was well-defended. -- called upon to make tackles in that
:54:27. > :54:38.
:54:38. > :54:48.O'Driscoll in midfield. You were talking earlier on about the
:54:48. > :54:49.
:54:49. > :54:59.defence. There was no way that Mike Phillips was letting him through
:54:59. > :55:37.
:55:37. > :55:47.has missed it. But he knew the penalty was coming. It is against
:55:47. > :55:48.
:55:48. > :55:53.Andrew Coombs. A penalty is a let off. 10-0, they are still in the
:55:53. > :56:02.game. Ireland are dominating at the moment, to be fair. It is a time
:56:02. > :56:12.for Wales to get their breath back. I'm disappointed they haven't gone
:56:12. > :56:15.
:56:15. > :56:25.in for a seven. Serve there. -- a seven pointer there.
:56:25. > :56:41.
:56:41. > :56:47.Jamie Heaslip is down to his right. Gordon D'Arcy is also having
:56:47. > :56:57.attention behind Jonathan Sexton. All this attacking play is taking
:56:57. > :57:18.
:57:18. > :57:28.its toll. I bet it hurts more if Millennium Stadium. Wales will want
:57:28. > :57:56.
:57:56. > :58:02.entered the fray. We gather he has had five stitches.
:58:02. > :58:12.Wales will recognise the importance of getting the ball back from the
:58:12. > :58:12.
:58:12. > :59:54.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:59:54. > :00:04.forwards. They had the right idea, The charge down has led to a second
:00:04. > :00:14.Irish try. We want to see the Simon Zebo skill. There were a couple of
:00:14. > :00:14.
:00:14. > :00:18.moments of magic there. This is great. The ball was spinning
:00:18. > :00:28.wickedly. Just to take that in the hands was a big thing. He knew he
:00:28. > :00:44.
:00:44. > :00:49.did not have the pace. Look at that. week out, and now he has done it in
:00:49. > :00:55.one of the biggest stages in the game. Ireland do well to
:00:55. > :01:01.consolidate and keep their patience. Audacious, absolutely audacious!
:01:01. > :01:05.Oh! He thinks about the offload, Ireland do well to keep their
:01:05. > :01:15.patience and go over eventually through Cian Healy. A little moment
:01:15. > :01:20.
:01:20. > :01:27.of magic to kick the Six Nations and it is all Ireland in Cardiff,
:01:27. > :01:32.their second try, Sexton's second conversion, Simon Zebo's second
:01:32. > :01:37.involvement, look at this! Well, he does not snatch at it, he just
:01:37. > :01:44.flicks it up, and he has got all the time in the world. One of the
:01:44. > :01:49.hardest workers around, Cian Healy. I think if you go back to the start,
:01:49. > :01:55.so slow, so difficult for Dan Biggar then, easy for the Irish
:01:55. > :02:05.defence, take your hat off to Rory Best, charging him down. A great
:02:05. > :02:38.
:02:38. > :02:44.catch, great vision as well. He saw again, Ireland stripping Wales of
:02:44. > :02:48.the ball. They will have a defensive line-out from what was a
:02:48. > :02:54.promising attacking position. Martyn Williams, this is not going
:02:54. > :02:58.well for Wales. It is the contact area, O'Driscoll and D'Arcy, how
:02:58. > :03:02.many times have we seen that over the years? And then back in Welsh
:03:02. > :03:07.territory. For some reason, the Welsh ball is so slow, it is not
:03:07. > :03:12.giving Phillips or Biggar any kind of platform. And then indisposition,
:03:12. > :03:17.you try to force things, and that is when the turnover comes. -- in
:03:17. > :03:27.this position. Yes, you try things you should not be trying, they did
:03:27. > :03:30.
:03:30. > :03:34.last 10 minutes before half-time. - obstructing in front of the ball.
:03:34. > :03:40.It is just forcing things again, the point we were making earlier,
:03:40. > :03:50.that was not a ball to be attacking from. Phillips looked like he might
:03:50. > :04:02.
:04:02. > :04:09.have shaken off is tackler, but he ago that the Irish coach was under
:04:09. > :04:18.a certain amount of pressure. One good win over Argentina seems to
:04:18. > :04:28.have restored the balance of Irish rugby. Looking very well balanced
:04:28. > :04:59.
:04:59. > :05:03.and the Points keeps on coming. Wales 0, Ireland 20. Another little
:05:03. > :05:08.sting in the tail there, that will not have done Welsh at any good at
:05:08. > :05:18.all. The forwards will really want to get possession from the kick-off,
:05:18. > :05:46.
:05:46. > :05:52.on. This time Sean O'Brien going in a little isolated, Wales and very
:05:52. > :05:56.quick hands to get that turnover. Now, they need to do something off
:05:56. > :06:06.this, Wales. The second time they have been in his attacking position,
:06:06. > :06:28.
:06:28. > :06:38.they lost the first line-out. Who little dummy. He makes half a yard,
:06:38. > :06:38.
:06:38. > :07:20.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:07:20. > :07:25.just there are going right for Wales at the moment. They are
:07:25. > :07:32.making little mistakes that they do not tend to make. No real reason
:07:32. > :07:42.for that, there was no real pressure on Jonathan Davies there,
:07:42. > :08:02.
:08:02. > :08:12.not lie, six handling errors from Wales, two from Ireland. -- you can
:08:12. > :08:21.
:08:21. > :08:26.see in the statistics. Percentage between Donnacha Ryan, Brian
:08:26. > :08:36.O'Driscoll. It looks as if Keith Earls is planning to come on, and
:08:36. > :08:46.Gordon D'Arcy, 12, is going to make his way off. Not yet, though. Keith
:08:46. > :09:18.
:09:19. > :09:24.Earls stays on the replacements pig and drive. Slightly on his own,
:09:24. > :09:29.a chance of some points for Wales. Martyn Williams, what relief for
:09:29. > :09:34.Wales. Yes, they need something to happen, and something fast. There
:09:34. > :09:38.is eight minutes to go. The first time we have had a sustained period
:09:38. > :09:42.in their 22, so surely we will put this over to settle the nerves, get
:09:42. > :09:45.on the board. You can sense from the crowd, everyone is in shock
:09:45. > :09:52.from the start. At least we are going to get three points,
:09:52. > :09:55.hopefully. For Ireland, it all came from that line-out, a quick one
:09:55. > :09:59.over the top from Donnacha Ryan. The only thing to do from Conor
:09:59. > :10:06.Murray's perspective was to hoist the Garryowen, but he hesitated,
:10:06. > :10:12.and Wales got the turnover. They need to be more conscious of that
:10:12. > :10:22.in defensive positions and not give the turnover is too easily. --
:10:22. > :10:53.
:10:53. > :11:03.board. There is a long way to go, three points to Wales, 20 two
:11:03. > :11:13.
:11:13. > :11:20.see if anything is on to the left. He goes right. George North has not
:11:20. > :11:27.seen the ball at all. Compare his contribution this time with what he
:11:27. > :11:30.was doing last year in Dublin. think that is a very valid point,
:11:30. > :11:35.the whole game plan would be to get the ball into his hands as often as
:11:35. > :11:40.you can, and I am not sure if that is his first touch, 34 minutes into
:11:40. > :11:50.the game, but Ireland have done their homework, done a great job so
:11:50. > :12:03.
:12:03. > :12:13.North does come flying in and get chances to run onto the ball, neat
:12:13. > :12:13.
:12:13. > :15:30.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:15:30. > :15:35.Ireland. That was a massive for Ireland. They did stand up and make
:15:35. > :15:41.the tackles. They made it difficult for Wales to break through. A
:15:41. > :15:49.couple of chances and you thought they might get the turnover. Rory
:15:49. > :15:59.Best has been Ki, not only in creating scoring opportunities but
:15:59. > :16:05.
:16:05. > :16:12.in stopping Wales. -- has been the That is what you want to see from
:16:12. > :16:22.Simon Zebo, coming in early and not liking -- letting the Welsh players
:16:22. > :16:27.get in. Simon Zebo, try-scorer, footballer, tackler, and Rory Best,
:16:27. > :16:34.we talk about the role of the seven and how much ground work he can do,
:16:34. > :16:38.but the hooker is so important these days. He can the first there.
:16:38. > :16:48.In the old days, the back-row would be good at the tackle area. But
:16:48. > :16:51.
:16:51. > :16:55.Rory Best is invaluable. That is as good as a try. A second leaking
:16:55. > :17:05.head for Wales. This time it is Gethin Jenkins who is going off for
:17:05. > :17:27.
:17:27. > :17:34.coming into half time, what are you going to say to Wales? -- you on in.
:17:34. > :17:37.They want to get George into the game. At the moment, I think they
:17:37. > :17:42.are just doing such a good job in the contact area. They are slowing
:17:42. > :17:52.the ball down, stealing the ball. They have got to take the positives
:17:52. > :18:03.
:18:03. > :18:13.for going in front of Cuthbert. -- Warburton. Will Sexton fancy this?
:18:13. > :18:19.
:18:19. > :18:28.It is looks like -- it looks like errors. They are uncommonly high.
:18:28. > :18:33.That might be a sign of brittle confidence. So, a last chance for
:18:33. > :18:43.Ireland. What a half it has been for them. Two converted tries, two
:18:43. > :18:43.
:18:43. > :19:43.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:19:43. > :19:49.penalties. 20 points. Matthew Rees penalty for Ireland. It is not
:19:49. > :19:55.releasing at the breakdown. Shingler is going to say he
:19:55. > :19:59.couldn't move. Ireland are showing an appetite here. They could have
:19:59. > :20:08.wound the clock down, but they want to really wrap up the advantage
:20:08. > :20:13.they have here. It looks like another three point opportunity for
:20:13. > :20:23.Sexton, who has been 100%. He has been striking the ball really
:20:23. > :20:33.
:20:33. > :20:41.difficult to argue against Ireland's lead. O'Mahony has gone
:20:41. > :20:46.the extra few yards. They are justifiable to be 20 points up. It
:20:46. > :20:56.is a long way to go. The Welsh side can come back. But they need a big
:20:56. > :21:14.
:21:14. > :21:21.start to the second half. Sexton So, Declan Kidney's team are
:21:21. > :21:26.turning up the heat on Wales. Panic in the Welsh defence. Brian
:21:26. > :21:32.O'Driscoll may have lost the captaincy, but has not lost his
:21:32. > :21:37.silky skills. Simon Zebo, a great footballing skills. Wales, at the
:21:37. > :21:45.moment, quite frankly, are all over the place, despite Leigh
:21:45. > :21:55.Halfpenny's penalty. Johnny Sexton nailed another penalty just before
:21:55. > :21:56.
:21:56. > :21:59.half-time. Ireland are turning the It has been a fantastic first half
:21:59. > :22:03.performance from Ireland. Rob Howley has got some serious talking
:22:03. > :22:09.to do at half-time. Those are the to do at half-time. Those are the
:22:09. > :22:13.stats. Miserable for Wales. They stats. Miserable for Wales. They
:22:13. > :22:18.have been out muscled in all areas. Ireland are clinical with the ball.
:22:18. > :22:23.Ireland are clinical with the ball. Grim reading for Rob Howley. Nobody
:22:23. > :22:28.expected that, to be honest. We thought it would be a close game.
:22:28. > :22:33.They have dominated every aspect of the first half. Martyn Williams
:22:33. > :22:39.said control the tackle area. Turnovers, missed tackles and
:22:39. > :22:46.penalties conceded - you cannot make a national rugby team at this
:22:46. > :22:56.level and expect to be in the game. Ireland have got a quicker tempo.
:22:56. > :22:59.
:22:59. > :23:04.They have tested them. I have to say, total control throughout.
:23:04. > :23:11.goes down to attitude of self- belief. The Irish attitude is
:23:11. > :23:15.energetic, positive, going for it. They all seem to have the self-
:23:15. > :23:22.belief trademarked by some elements of great skill. Wales, on the other
:23:22. > :23:28.hand, just seemed to be a step off the pace, as if they are uncertain.
:23:28. > :23:31.I love to look at it in this view, the body language of the players.
:23:31. > :23:36.Some of the Welsh guys are downcast. That is putting the rest of the
:23:36. > :23:41.team under pressure. This is early on. They know the blitz defence is
:23:41. > :23:49.coming. Look at the depth on the Irish. They keep it deep. They know
:23:49. > :23:59.he is going to give and take. Georgian off -- George North, he
:23:59. > :24:08.has to go in. This is good hands again. Depth, depth. They have got
:24:08. > :24:11.an extra man. It is the pace of the ball from the tackle area that is
:24:11. > :24:17.the difference. They are on the front foot, asking questions all
:24:17. > :24:23.the time. In the World Cup, when Wales beat Ireland, they beat them
:24:23. > :24:27.because of the blitz defence. Ireland were five yards too flat.
:24:27. > :24:32.You have got to get everything right, and the energy has to be
:24:32. > :24:37.right. It has not been right for Wales. Some of them are going half-
:24:37. > :24:41.heartedly to make the hit. other aspect of Ireland's
:24:41. > :24:45.performance, Keith, is this caused some fantastic tries against
:24:45. > :24:52.Argentina in the autumn, and they seem to have picked up from that
:24:52. > :24:57.game. -- date scored. Just watch this. Once he is on the outside,
:24:57. > :25:05.you have got to commit or stay out. You can't do nothing and turn your
:25:05. > :25:15.back. Simple as. Brian O'Driscoll may have lost the captaincy, but
:25:15. > :25:18.
:25:18. > :25:24.look at that. That is class. The amazing skill of catching and
:25:24. > :25:30.giving but not knowing... Cuthbert is in the way of the pass, but he
:25:30. > :25:40.makes it anyway. Is passing to somebody, hoping it will miss. That
:25:40. > :25:42.
:25:42. > :25:46.his magic. All you need to do you shift your body weight. The
:25:46. > :25:51.decision is made for O'Driscoll. The decision is made for the pass.
:25:51. > :25:59.Cuthbert does not go in. He turns. You cannot turn your back in
:25:59. > :26:07.defence. He is letting ball's bounce into touch. He is throwing
:26:07. > :26:12.it high. I just want to ask you, Jonathan, about Dan Biggar. I
:26:12. > :26:18.wanted to ask you, it is all very well to be playing well at pro 12
:26:18. > :26:24.level. At this level, you can't make these mistakes. Just watch. He
:26:24. > :26:32.runs towards the guy who is charging down. The difference is,
:26:32. > :26:42.he just watches steps. He is making it all easy. From here, it is skill.
:26:42. > :26:44.
:26:44. > :26:54.Watch this pass. Oh, that is just rugby and sex! That is fantastic.
:26:54. > :26:58.
:26:58. > :27:08.He is carrying, carrying, getting himself into a good position, try.
:27:08. > :27:09.
:27:09. > :27:16.It is also a mismatch. Dan Biggar, there is a big step up, pace wise,
:27:16. > :27:22.international and regional. You do not have the time in international
:27:22. > :27:26.rugby. Unfortunately, he paid for it. Wales are looking like a side
:27:26. > :27:30.who have lost seven on the bounce, aren't they? They are doing all the
:27:30. > :27:34.things they did so well in the Grand Slam. But it is not happening
:27:34. > :27:40.today. They are not securing possession. They are forcing things
:27:40. > :27:45.a bit too much. They have lost a sense of composure. Mike Phillips
:27:45. > :27:51.is taking too much time. There does nothing to be any urgency in his
:27:51. > :27:59.own player. Evans lost the ball there. He has not played since
:27:59. > :28:09.November. He is on his own, isolated. The main clearing out
:28:09. > :28:10.
:28:10. > :28:15.have not been doing their job. -- the men. Rory Best stole the ball,
:28:15. > :28:19.and nobody was there to go and clean him out. He stood there, got
:28:19. > :28:28.the penalty, and that has been a problem. They have isolated the
:28:28. > :28:33.ball carriers. Again, it goes back to attitude. This is great from
:28:33. > :28:38.Simon Zebo. This is running all the way in to smash a big number six.
:28:38. > :28:45.For me, it is attitude. This is one period where Wales had the
:28:45. > :28:49.opportunity. Rory Best was in four different Brookes. Not only did he
:28:49. > :28:54.get the penalty, but he slowed it down to stay on his feet. The
:28:54. > :28:58.attitude was, they will not get the ball easily. That is phenomenal.
:28:58. > :29:03.Thank you very much for now. It is a fascinating Six Nations because
:29:03. > :29:12.there are so many Lions places up for grabs. Where better to debate
:29:12. > :29:16.it than at the House of Commons? To get the call was fantastic.
:29:16. > :29:23.Walking in, just the scale of the houses of Parliament is
:29:23. > :29:28.extraordinary. Surprised but delighted to be here. It is good to
:29:28. > :29:35.get recognised was something you have done over the years. For a boy
:29:35. > :29:42.from the valleys, yes, you have got to pinch yourself sometimes.
:29:42. > :29:50.Every year, it seems to keep growing and getting better.
:29:50. > :29:57.underdog can put in a performance and caused hell.
:29:57. > :30:07.I hope Wales, obviously, and if not, I think the French will win.
:30:07. > :30:24.
:30:24. > :30:29.French look like the Ford despite When you have been a Lion, it
:30:29. > :30:34.really all comes to the fore, all the memories come flooding back.
:30:34. > :30:37.The challenge to play there, 30 or 40 players coming together, art of
:30:37. > :30:43.then you have knocked seven bells out of during the season, and now
:30:43. > :30:46.you have to play with a red shirt on. Hopefully, there will be 15 or
:30:46. > :30:50.20 guys putting their hands up at the end of the tournament and
:30:50. > :30:54.saying, I have just produced the best rugby I can, I have got to be
:30:54. > :30:57.on the tour. If you perform well individually and your team does
:30:57. > :31:03.well, it announces a chance of going on the best rugby trip a
:31:03. > :31:07.rugby player can do one. I think we all really believe we were very
:31:07. > :31:13.part of a very exclusive club, probably a bit like being an MP,
:31:13. > :31:21.quite honestly. It was a great night at the House of Commons,
:31:21. > :31:26.Martyn Williams, they let you in! It was good, a surreal experience
:31:26. > :31:30.to meet people like that, a great night. What has Rob Howley got to
:31:30. > :31:35.say to these players now? Look, it is a difficult one, I would not
:31:35. > :31:41.want to be in his shoes. Looking at the substitutes warming up, I would
:31:42. > :31:45.put James Hook on, Tipuric, because at the moment it is not working.
:31:45. > :31:49.Ireland totally dominated that first half, and they need to do
:31:49. > :31:54.something different in the second half. We want to congratulate you,
:31:55. > :32:00.you have just had your third child, mother and baby doing well? Yes,
:32:00. > :32:08.good, you can see the bags under my eyes! Lucky I am here. We would get
:32:08. > :32:12.make up UCU in a moment! Rob Howley has got a big team talk, what is
:32:12. > :32:20.his approach this far? Well, you have just got to go for broke now,
:32:20. > :32:26.that is it. Six-year the tackling area, make sure you do not lose the
:32:26. > :32:33.ball. -- secure. You have got to throw Tipuric on, he has been the
:32:33. > :32:40.form player, wrote Hook 1, caution to the wind, give it everything. --
:32:40. > :32:44.throw Hook on. Ireland have shown intensity. Pretty much more of the
:32:44. > :32:52.same for Ireland, key attacking with the nine and 10, get them
:32:52. > :32:57.involved as much as you possibly can. Do not be afraid, do not sit
:32:57. > :33:02.back, they want to go for it, continue to go for it. More of the
:33:02. > :33:07.same, pretty much. I know it is a cliche, but the first score in the
:33:07. > :33:10.second half is crucial! I think if we get a try, it will bring some
:33:11. > :33:14.confidence back. We have just got to give it everything now, but a
:33:14. > :33:20.couple of mistakes. I'm not sure whether the Welsh boys are aware of
:33:20. > :33:25.this, but if they lose today, they will lose five games on the trot at
:33:25. > :33:35.home for the first time in Welsh rugby history. Let's rejoin Eddie
:33:35. > :33:40.
:33:40. > :33:44.Butler, Phil Matthews and Martyn face the kick-off from Jonny Sexton,
:33:44. > :33:54.knowing that Wales trailed by 20 points at home in the opening game
:33:54. > :33:54.
:33:54. > :34:04.for Wales, it has been a glorious first half for Ireland. It is only
:34:04. > :34:19.
:34:19. > :34:24.a job half done. George North in putt that -- put-in at the scrum
:34:24. > :34:29.with that show can hold tackle. Wales have to be careful with that.
:34:29. > :34:34.They do need to take the game to Ireland, they need to attack, but
:34:34. > :34:38.they have to be more careful in possession. Ireland are very adept
:34:38. > :34:48.in that contact area, and that is a bad place to turn over a ball like
:34:48. > :34:48.
:34:48. > :36:06.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:36:06. > :36:16.this. It is, it is an Irish scrum and make the tackle. Brian
:36:16. > :36:27.
:36:27. > :36:35.O'Driscoll to Rob Kearney. He is Brian O'Driscoll, back in
:36:35. > :36:39.international rugby, who scores, try No. 46! Oh, that is the sign of
:36:39. > :36:43.a player who makes things happen. Most centres, you would say, what
:36:43. > :36:49.the hell is he doing there? But he puts himself into positions where
:36:49. > :36:54.the ball is going to be, how many times have we seen him scoring from
:36:54. > :36:59.rucks and mauls, normally the domain of the big, heavy forwards.
:36:59. > :37:03.You sense he is fired up, he really wants it, he is there, waiting, and
:37:03. > :37:13.there is no better man from one yard out. Not giving up, he has got
:37:13. > :37:21.
:37:21. > :37:26.one thing on his mind. So quick half-time, to Wales. Now, I know
:37:26. > :37:31.myself, what does Sam Warburton say? You are looking at all the
:37:31. > :37:35.senior players, the leaders. They have just come out, Ireland, and it
:37:35. > :37:40.goes back to the kick-off. Wales should clear their lines early in
:37:40. > :37:46.the first half, 20 points down, do not give Ireland the opportunity to
:37:46. > :37:50.do what they have done. It is so uncharacteristic, Wales missing
:37:50. > :37:54.tackles, Ireland dominating physically. Peter O'Mahony is
:37:54. > :38:00.making us hard yards again, the way he started the half, quick feet,
:38:01. > :38:07.able to make that extra yard and give Ireland that momentum.
:38:07. > :38:16.change to be made by Wales, Justin Tipuric is on. It is Aaron Shingler
:38:16. > :38:26.who has gone off. Keith Earls in possession, he is on for Ireland.
:38:26. > :38:47.
:38:47. > :38:57.He is on for Gordon D'Arcy, who has it quickly. First touch for Justin
:38:57. > :38:57.
:38:57. > :40:47.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:40:47. > :40:54.back for the original penalty. -- off. You delayed to release, the
:40:54. > :41:04.player and the ball on the ground, twice. Have a word about that,
:41:04. > :41:09.
:41:09. > :41:12.showing good discipline, starting to make those hard yards, really
:41:12. > :41:16.pushing the Irish defence, forcing them to give away the penalty to
:41:16. > :41:20.slow the ball down, and they have got themselves good field position
:41:20. > :41:24.now. Now, if they are going to perform a miracle, they need to
:41:24. > :41:34.come away with something, and nothing short of seven points will
:41:34. > :41:34.
:41:34. > :42:30.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:42:30. > :42:39.score! Patient build up, deadly finish! Alex Cuthbert, first try
:42:39. > :42:43.for Wales, is it too late? His there life yet in this game? There
:42:43. > :42:48.is if they can reproduce that, that field position, the discipline on
:42:48. > :42:53.the ball. That was the threat that we saw was alive in this Welsh team
:42:53. > :42:56.if only they could release it. It is a wonderful line by Alex
:42:56. > :43:00.Cuthbert, his pace and his strength, there is no way a flailing arm of
:43:00. > :43:08.Keith Earls was going to stop Alex Cup but as he cuts an angle like
:43:08. > :43:13.that. -- Alex Cuthbert. Now it is game on, and now Ireland really
:43:13. > :43:23.need to consolidate. Keith Earls got himself a little bit exposed, a
:43:23. > :43:37.
:43:37. > :43:43.little bit too far forward. That The deficit is back where it
:43:43. > :43:48.started at the start of this second half, 20 points. Yes, that was
:43:48. > :43:53.really energy-sapping, because there is nothing more tense than
:43:53. > :44:03.defending ruck after ruck on your own line, and then eventually, once
:44:03. > :44:03.
:44:03. > :45:34.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:45:34. > :45:43.the ball went wide, something was opened up. The two reasons. Wales
:45:43. > :45:48.are going for broke. Ireland have gone inside themselves a little bit.
:45:48. > :45:53.I would like to have seen the ball count said. What Ireland can't
:45:53. > :46:00.afford to do is sit back. Wales have got their confidence back.
:46:00. > :46:04.This game has just come alive again. It is strange to say, but you can
:46:04. > :46:14.be too far in front. Psychologically, you can switch off.
:46:14. > :46:14.
:46:14. > :46:22.But there's still 30 minutes to go. Talking about Brian O'Driscoll, he
:46:22. > :46:32.is reading the game. It is the small things that make a difference.
:46:32. > :46:34.
:46:34. > :46:40.Wales have got a chance with 13 minutes to go. -- 30 minutes.
:46:41. > :46:47.did not need -- need to make the hit. This is interesting now. Wales
:46:47. > :46:52.have their tails up. O'Mahony is going off. He took a knock to the
:46:53. > :47:02.head, and it looks like he is going off now. He will be replaced, I
:47:02. > :47:12.would imagine, by Henry. He has been outstanding all year. If the
:47:12. > :47:19.game is going looser, there's a seven for you. He is not a bad
:47:19. > :47:29.replacement at all. Matthew Rees is heading for the exit as well. Owens
:47:29. > :47:31.
:47:31. > :47:41.is back on. Henry is a different sort of player. Straight away, he
:47:41. > :47:41.
:47:41. > :47:51.has got the ball in his hands. He is such a clever player. 10 arrears
:47:51. > :48:15.
:48:15. > :48:23.Andrew Coombs. He has been fully game, which is becoming more and/or
:48:23. > :48:33.helter-skelter. You ride committed himself -- more and more helter-
:48:33. > :48:39.
:48:39. > :48:49.skelter. Craig Gilroy committed change the way you play and give
:48:49. > :48:49.
:48:49. > :49:31.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:49:31. > :49:36.A scrum. How could you say that, that it was deliberate?! They have
:49:37. > :49:43.really got their tails up. Halfpenny used that well. It could
:49:43. > :49:52.have been given. It is still a good attacking position for Wales. Their
:49:52. > :49:57.scrum has been solid all day. Ireland, surprisingly, making more
:49:57. > :50:06.of the tackles. I sense that these that has climbed ahead in the
:50:06. > :50:13.second half. -- the statistic has climbed ahead. How many scrums have
:50:13. > :50:18.Wales had? A good question. I think they have had one scrum all game.
:50:18. > :50:28.They would have fancied themselves but they have not had an
:50:28. > :50:48.
:50:48. > :50:55.opportunity. That is how the game changed a bit. Wales will look to
:50:55. > :51:05.expose it if they can. Mike Phillips has to go and do some
:51:05. > :51:20.
:51:20. > :51:30.be a yellow card. The referee holds it back. Mike Phillips express
:51:30. > :51:43.
:51:43. > :51:53.Romain Poite. Three metres, right? He explains that he was three
:51:53. > :51:53.
:51:53. > :53:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:53:24. > :53:32.metres away from the mark. It was referee across the field. Wales
:53:32. > :53:42.take it quickly. Evans... Stopped in his tracks by the wind and only
:53:42. > :54:20.
:54:20. > :54:25.are still in possession, through tackler. A penalty advantage for
:54:25. > :54:35.Wales. They will want to take it quickly again. The referee stops
:54:35. > :54:46.
:54:46. > :54:53.is a yellow card for Rory Best. is going off. A key player as well.
:54:53. > :54:58.But what defence. Ireland coming out to the line to try to get man
:54:58. > :55:05.and ball. They have been thinking about it all week because of the
:55:05. > :55:14.size advantage that the Welsh midfield has. That is why the
:55:14. > :55:24.penalty came now. Wales 1 to come away with something. -- want to.
:55:24. > :55:24.
:55:24. > :56:15.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:56:15. > :56:19.Here is the Craig Gilroy tackle, 0. we may have an instant buckle --
:56:19. > :56:29.battle. Whale seemed to have skied -- scored the try through Leigh
:56:29. > :56:40.
:56:40. > :56:46.Halfpenny. But the referee and line it has not been seen. The opinion
:56:46. > :56:53.is that Leigh Halfpenny got it down. Yeah, it is good. Wales are right
:56:53. > :57:03.back in this. We are performing -- they are performing the miracle we
:57:03. > :57:25.
:57:25. > :57:33.thought they might. You may award laboured, in the end. This is a big
:57:33. > :57:43.kick. If he gets this, they are within two scores. It is a huge
:57:43. > :58:03.
:58:03. > :58:13.Conversion for him. Plenty of time But there is very much a game on
:58:13. > :58:14.
:58:14. > :58:20.here at the Millennium Stadium. We approach the one hour mark. Wales,
:58:20. > :58:24.suddenly and for the first time, are with their tails up. Yeah, and
:58:24. > :58:28.Ireland's heads are going to be frazzled at the moment. They need
:58:28. > :58:38.to look to their big players, the likes of Brian O'Driscoll, just to
:58:38. > :58:38.
:58:38. > :58:48.do the right thing. That was a let off for Sexton there! That was
:58:48. > :59:03.
:59:03. > :59:13.are showing their experience. difficult for Ireland because it
:59:13. > :59:14.
:59:14. > :00:03.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:00:03. > :00:13.the Sean O'Brien who is going to first time in this match, until
:00:13. > :00:13.
:00:13. > :01:07.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:01:07. > :01:12.and Ireland earned the penalty. Ireland are bringing Wales on, they
:01:12. > :01:17.are not dealing with the kick wealth. Gilroy has probably fielded
:01:17. > :01:22.more kicks than any of the last three. They are just bringing Wales
:01:22. > :01:26.on to them, and Wales have really found their shape now. All those
:01:26. > :01:31.penalties that hurt Wales in the first half, this is the first they
:01:31. > :01:35.have conceded in the second half. Incredible turnaround, you have
:01:35. > :01:41.never seen anything like it! The speed of the Welsh ball, Ireland
:01:41. > :01:45.cannot cope, they are very narrow in defence. Interesting to see how
:01:45. > :01:55.Sean O'Brien will throw, he will throw to the front. The momentum
:01:55. > :02:26.
:02:26. > :02:36.far touchline. Another substitute, could play all the remainder at his
:02:36. > :02:42.
:02:42. > :02:49.Penalty de Wales! Sean O'Brien was very much on his own there. Dan
:02:49. > :02:52.Biggar wanted to take it quickly. That is a crucial mistake by Sean
:02:52. > :02:57.O'Brien, he threw himself recklessly into that. What is
:02:57. > :03:07.needed now for Ireland is cool heads, and there was a rush of
:03:07. > :03:11.
:03:11. > :03:15.second half. Here is Leigh Halfpenny's tackle. He is running
:03:15. > :03:19.into that tackle too fast. If he slows down and steadies himself, he
:03:19. > :03:28.is not going to go to ground as quick, and he will give himself an
:03:28. > :03:38.extra second for the support to get there. Ken Owens at the line-out.
:03:38. > :03:57.
:03:57. > :04:04.Oh, hesitation, that is... Oh, that Wales. A higher one for Leigh
:04:04. > :04:09.Halfpenny, he can market. -- Mark it. The thinking was, we cannot
:04:09. > :04:19.have a scrum, no hooker, so they have to make the Garryowen, that
:04:19. > :04:20.
:04:20. > :05:40.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:05:40. > :05:44.that will be good. -- his ball. They are saying it is a late
:05:45. > :05:50.tackle. Do you know, that is the first penalty Ireland have conceded
:05:50. > :05:54.that is not at the breakdown. the second significant error that
:05:54. > :05:58.Sean O'Brien has made in the last five minutes. The needs to keep his
:05:58. > :06:08.head on, he needs to be thinking a little bit more, because that is
:06:08. > :06:26.
:06:26. > :06:33.will be their throw. Ken Owens, Paul James's on. That is for
:06:33. > :06:43.getting Jenkins. -- Gethin Jenkins. Ireland do enough messing to put
:06:43. > :06:55.
:06:55. > :07:02.Wales will have the scrum put-in. They are looking for another
:07:03. > :07:07.penalty, but may be a scrum is the better option. Well, again, Simon
:07:07. > :07:11.Zebo gets himself flat-footed year by just over committing himself.
:07:11. > :07:16.They have got to make those first tackles, because once Jonathan
:07:16. > :07:22.Davies getting behind, it is a scrambled defence. Ireland at sixes
:07:22. > :07:27.and sevens at the moment. Just a decision for the repeated
:07:27. > :07:32.infringement, all right? You can see the panic, turnover of war, he
:07:32. > :07:35.just welly did down the field. It was a poor kick, straight to the
:07:35. > :07:41.one man you do not want to kick two, George North, and they are under
:07:41. > :07:51.pressure again. Two bits of good news for Ireland, they still lead
:07:51. > :07:54.
:07:54. > :07:59.by 15 points, and Rory Best is back this! You might say, follow this,
:07:59. > :08:07.England, Scotland! And tomorrow, Italy versus France from Rome, the
:08:07. > :08:13.Olympic Stadium. Shia the hooker who is back. Wales will have the
:08:13. > :08:23.put-in. -- here is. The first feed for the new scrum-half, Lloyd
:08:23. > :08:35.
:08:35. > :08:38.Ireland have lost... They are frazzled at the moment, that his
:08:38. > :08:43.lack of concentration. They have not been under a huge amount of
:08:43. > :08:48.pressure. There is a case to be made for taking the three points,
:08:48. > :08:53.Wales have got to score three times. And the clock is ticking. As much
:08:53. > :09:03.as they are on top, they need to score to stand any chance from this
:09:03. > :09:09.
:09:09. > :09:19.game, they must score from this towards the touchline. -- wondering.
:09:19. > :09:24.
:09:24. > :09:29.Declan Fitzpatrick comes on to huge amount of game time, but
:09:29. > :09:33.Declan Kidney is aware he has got to give them some time to develop
:09:33. > :09:43.and get back in. He is a little bit over-reliant on Mike Ross at the
:09:43. > :09:44.
:09:44. > :10:35.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:10:35. > :10:41.try for Toby Faletau, surely, against the base of the post?! The
:10:41. > :10:51.referee gives a penalty to Wales. The Welsh players are talking to
:10:51. > :11:17.
:11:17. > :11:23.how positive have they been? If that makes contact with the pad, it
:11:23. > :11:28.is a try, and it looks like it would more than likely have made
:11:29. > :11:34.contact with the pad at the base. If it makes... Now, it doesn't,
:11:34. > :11:42.actually, that is a better angle. good refereeing decision! Still
:11:42. > :11:52.Ireland are not off the boot. Oh, the pressure, no scrum half! Conor
:11:52. > :11:54.
:11:54. > :11:59.danger with taking the scrum, it is eating into the clock. They should
:11:59. > :12:09.have kept the ball in play, you are taking two or three minutes off the
:12:09. > :12:16.
:12:16. > :12:21.clock, and that is time that Wales close, they have dominated the
:12:21. > :12:26.second half, ever since Ireland stretched their lead and then took
:12:26. > :12:36.their foot off the pedal, it has been all Wales, as much as it was
:12:36. > :12:36.
:12:36. > :13:57.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:13:57. > :14:07.all Ireland in the first half. Biggar, Cuthbert, Toby Faletau in
:14:07. > :14:11.
:14:11. > :14:17.the way! The whistle goes, knock on by Wales. Ireland have held out.
:14:17. > :14:23.I do not know how much more I can take of this! Martyn, what is it
:14:23. > :14:27.like down there? I am shattered! You have got to take your hat off
:14:27. > :14:35.to the Irish defence, they keep covering the inside man, fantastic
:14:35. > :14:41.defence from Ireland. Yes, that is when I will always feel it, 152
:14:41. > :14:47.tackles against 93, that is getting bigger and bigger now. They did the
:14:47. > :14:50.right thing, as Martyn said, take it quick, really starting to
:14:50. > :14:56.stretch Ireland, but Craig Gilroy are at the line really quickly,
:14:56. > :15:02.trying to get on the ball. Good hits, putting the man down early
:15:02. > :15:06.when they can, trying to get somebody in to steal the ball. Sean
:15:06. > :15:13.O'Brien has led the tackle count for Ireland. Mike McCarthy has done
:15:13. > :15:16.a lot of unseen work, backed up by Donnacha Ryan. Cian Healy, that is
:15:16. > :15:20.uncommon for a prop, 15 tackles, but it shows the pressure that the
:15:20. > :15:26.Welsh side have been putting on in the second half. So many changes
:15:26. > :15:32.year, Olly Kohn is on, the Harlequins second row forward, he
:15:32. > :15:37.comes on for Ian Evans. He declared he had a grandfather from the
:15:38. > :15:45.Rhymney Valley, he is on. Craig Mitchell in the front row for Wales.
:15:45. > :15:51.Donncha O'Callaghan is on for Ireland. And David Kilcoyne is on
:15:51. > :15:58.in the front row. It is an Irish but in, the clock is on again.
:15:58. > :16:05.James Hook is on, too, for Dan Biggar. And he was putting the ball
:16:05. > :16:10.in at the scrum? The wells? Brian O'Driscoll. He couldn't do anything
:16:10. > :16:20.else. He is finished, voice, he is finished! Do you think he wants
:16:20. > :16:56.
:16:56. > :17:05.still need three scores. It is a the world, but again, the clock
:17:05. > :17:12.ticks on. That is typical of the man. It is leadership personified.
:17:12. > :17:17.That is what he has always been. can do most things, but he can't
:17:17. > :17:27.box kick. But you know what, he will probably practise it for the
:17:27. > :17:27.
:17:27. > :18:09.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:18:09. > :18:17.going to go upstairs. By the look of it, don't tell me Craig Mitchell
:18:17. > :18:27.has come on to score? He is going back to the halfway line at a fair
:18:27. > :18:33.
:18:33. > :18:43.old lick. That is Lloyd-Williams being taking down short. It looks
:18:43. > :18:43.
:18:43. > :19:29.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:19:30. > :19:39.actual grounding. It is a try. is it there. That is the angle. It
:19:39. > :19:49.is down and he knows it. If I was Leigh Halfpenny, he hasn't put the
:19:49. > :19:51.
:19:51. > :20:01.ball down yet. This conversion have to be taken quickly. -- has to be.
:20:01. > :20:03.
:20:04. > :20:10.I may award the try? It is awarded. The clock starts running again.
:20:10. > :20:16.Well, we could not have had two more different halves. What was a
:20:16. > :20:26.horror story for Wales is going to look like a horror story for
:20:26. > :20:40.
:20:40. > :20:46.Ireland in the second half. Wales are within eight points. They still
:20:46. > :20:51.have to score twice. It has been a remarkable game for the Six Nations.
:20:51. > :20:56.Ireland were so far ahead, so far in control, but a comeback by Wales
:20:56. > :21:00.seemed impossible. But Wales have dominated this second half. The
:21:00. > :21:10.Irish defence has been unbelievable at times. They have leaked to the
:21:10. > :21:18.
:21:18. > :21:28.try. What is just as important, this man of the match, Philip.
:21:28. > :21:28.
:21:28. > :22:40.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:22:40. > :22:50.There's a few contenders, isn't it started with passes going wild.
:22:50. > :22:50.
:22:50. > :23:47.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 49 seconds
:23:47. > :23:52.contenders, and I was going to go with Rory Best, but my man of the
:23:53. > :23:57.match is Brian O'Driscoll. I am not going to call it a comeback, but
:23:57. > :24:04.there's some romance in it. An outstanding performance. Typical of
:24:04. > :24:10.the man. The clock stops. It is going to be an Irish victory. Wales
:24:10. > :24:16.will have the scrum but no time to score twice. It is no surprise that
:24:16. > :24:26.a player has gone down with cramp. Simon Zebo is going off. Ireland do
:24:26. > :24:36.have this incredible record of winning in Cardiff. Debt 11th in 30
:24:36. > :24:45.
:24:45. > :24:51.found a bit of momentum in the second half. That will give them
:24:51. > :24:56.some solace. Hopefully they will be able to bring the momentum into
:24:56. > :25:00.their second match. They have shown what a good side they can be.
:25:00. > :25:04.Ultimately, they have lost their first game at home. Everybody spoke
:25:05. > :25:12.all week about how important that was. They have got to take great
:25:12. > :25:22.heart from the second half but they have got to be disappointed as well.
:25:22. > :25:35.
:25:35. > :25:40.on that note. Ireland have held out. What a game it has been. Oh, a
:25:40. > :25:50.breathtaking second half. The Irish controlled in the second half. The
:25:50. > :25:55.
:25:55. > :26:02.Welsh came back, but Ireland held to do in the second half. They
:26:02. > :26:07.nearly did it. Ireland will not be happy with the way they capitulated.
:26:07. > :26:14.They were in danger of getting turned over. One of the classics.
:26:14. > :26:19.Could not agree more. What a game. It is the opening match of the Six
:26:20. > :26:24.Nations. Great for the spectators. But Wales will be disappointed.
:26:24. > :26:34.Ominously, Wales now face three away games on the bounce. Ireland
:26:34. > :26:39.
:26:39. > :26:48.A super start, then, to the 2013 Six Nations. Yet another stunning
:26:48. > :26:54.performance from Ireland's greatest, Brian O'Driscoll. We are running
:26:54. > :27:04.out of things to say about him. will keep doing it for a while yet.
:27:04. > :27:05.
:27:05. > :27:09.He took the opportunities. Lets hear from the man himself.
:27:09. > :27:15.This championship is so much about momentum. How important is it to
:27:15. > :27:18.come here and to get that victory? It is hugely important. The first
:27:18. > :27:24.game is a must win, otherwise you're chasing your tail for the
:27:24. > :27:28.rest of the competition. We started well today. Wales have done a job
:27:28. > :27:33.on us in the last three games. We came out of the blocks and played
:27:33. > :27:41.well. We sat back and defended, in fairness. They put it to us in the
:27:41. > :27:47.second half. What caused the swing to the end of this second half?
:27:47. > :27:51.was just our discipline. It has a knock-on and the momentum. They
:27:51. > :27:58.just tired us down. Rugby is a game of momentum. If you can build it,
:27:58. > :28:04.it is hard to stop. Congratulations and welcome back. You are the RBS
:28:04. > :28:13.man of the match. Thank you. Fantastic player.
:28:13. > :28:22.A game of two hearts, isn't it? Rory Best was amazing. To be
:28:22. > :28:27.Ferlito was amazing. -- Toby Faletau. Thank you very much. Wales