THE SIX NATIONS Championship and a possible Grand Slam hung in the balance as Joe Schmidt’s undefeated Ireland took on Warren Gatland and Wales.
On the afternoon when Paulie won his 100th cap, could Ireland take the penultimate step towards back-to-back titles?
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Good afternoon and welcome to The42′s live minute-by-minute coverage of Wales v Ireland in the Millennium Stadium.
We can’t quite bill this as a Championship or Grand Slam decider — there’s still a long way to go on both fronts — but a win in Cardiff would be a massive step towards the second straight title of the Joe Schmidt era.
Kick-off is at 2.30pm.
“For all that’s right in the world, come home with a win Paulie,” writes Mike in the comments section.
There’s no better time to watch this again, really:
If someone’s walking, if someone isn’t filling a gap, you get on his case, you say it to him. If I’m fucking walking, I want to hear it.
Listen to me now, listen to me. I want them standing back thinking “what the fuck is going on here?” Not for the first five minutes, every fucking minute of the game.
Fucking manic aggression. Did you scare anyone? Did you fucking put the fear of God into anyone?
Team news: Wales are unchanged from their win in France. Liam Williams wears 11, Sam Warburton’s knee is solid enough for him to captain the team from openside, while Alex Cuthbert misses out on the matchday 23.
Wales
15. Leigh Halfpenny
14. George North
13. Jonathan Davies
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Liam Williams
10. Dan Biggar
9. Rhys Webb
1. Gethin Jenkins
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Samson Lee
4. Luke Charteris
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Dan Lydiate
7. Sam Warburton (C)
8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements:
16. Richard Hibbard
17. Rob Evans
18. Aaron Jarvis
19. Jake Ball
20. Justin Tipuric
21. Mike Phillips
22. Rhys Priestland
23. Scott Williams
Team news: Just the one change for Joe’s Ireland – the Wolverine blood has kicked in and Jamie Heaslip is fit to take his place at number eight. Jordi Murphy drops to the bench and Tommy O’Donnell is the unlucky man to miss out on the 23.
Ireland
15. Rob Kearney
14. Tommy Bowe
13. Jared Payne
12. Robbie Henshaw
11. Simon Zebo
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O’Connell (captain)
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Sean O’Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Cian Healy
18. Marty Moore
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Eoin Reddan
22. Ian Madigan
23. Felix Jones
We’re a bit jealous Michael, but I’d say this is the first time anyone ever wished they were in Cardiff instead of Bahrain.
Michael: Sitting in the Bahrain Rugby Club, smack in the centre of the Middle East, enjoying a pint waiting for the match to come on surreal
Murray Kinsella is in the Millennium Stadium for us and he’ll be stopping by with his insights and analysis over the course of the afternoon.
If you haven’t already read it, here’s his morning dispatch from Cardiff.
Speak to Cardiffians and they’ll express a respect for what Ireland have achieved so far under Schmidt, even if there remains a confidence in the ability of Warren Gatland’s side to deliver when they need it most.
The nation will come to a standstill at in the lead up to 14.3o, from Llanlleiana all the way south to Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan. They live and breath rugby in the land of the blood-red dragon.
Cian Healy doesn’t often get a chance to show off his fancy footwork, so thankfully the cameras caught this!
Here come the teams. They love their fireworks in Cardiff, don’t they? I’d say New Year’s Eve is serious craic.
SHOULDER TO SHOOOOOULDER…
I say this every time I watch Wales play, but that anthem is something else. Spine-tingling. And the Millennium Stadium is in full voice to get behind their men.
Dan Biggar gets us underway in Cardiff.
Ireland knock it on from the kick off and Wales have the territory. Wayne Barnes whistles and we’re back for a Welsh penalty in midfield — Ireland didn’t roll away.
PENALTY! Wales 3-0 Ireland (Halfpenny) Leigh Halfpenny’s never going to miss a chance like that. He splits the post and it’s first blood to Wales
The ball is seeing plenty of time in the air. Roberts hoofs to Kearney, who hoofs it back into touch near the Welsh 22. Biggar takes the lineout quickly and then Halfpenny does brilliantly to gather his own Garryowen.
Super break by Wales and Jonathan Davies flattens Johnny Sexton with a big hand-off out on the left wing. Wales are into the Irish 22 now with ball in hand.
Wales push it through the phases and then Peter O’Mahony pinged for going in off his feet at the ruck. Should be another easy three for Halfpenny. This has been a dominant opening few minutes from the hosts.
PENALTY! Wales 6-0 Ireland (Halfpenny) Easy peasy for the Welsh full-back. That drive all started with Halfpenny’s up-and-under from deep inside his own half.
Halfpenny is playing out of his skin! He springs across like a young Neville Southall to haul in a great mark and deny Ireland any chance of hitting back immediately.
My colleague Sean Farrell has just reminded me that this is the first time that Ireland have trailed in the Six Nations this season. The response needs to come quickly.
Another Welsh penalty, a foot inside their own half, and dead centre as Ireland are pinged for holding on on the ground. You’d imagine Halfpenny will have the distance…
PENALTY! Wales 9-0 Ireland (Halfpenny) Ireland have conceded three penalties and Halfpenny has kicked all three. The Welsh have just been that bit sharper at every breakdown so far.
Wayne Barnes is not Ireland’s biggest fan today. He whistles for another penalty — again for not rolling away — and then pulls Paulie aside for a word and reminds him of the instruction to allow the opposing nine quick ball.
There’s a break in play here as Welsh tighthead Samson Lee appears to have suffered a serious injury. He’s getting oxygen on the pitch.
Murray Kinsella in the Millennium Stadium:
Exceptional start to this game from Wales. Real aggression in everything they’re doing, particularly around the breakdown. They’ve been superb in the air so far too, targeting one of Ireland’s primary strengths and winning in that area. Barnes is giving Ireland nothing post-tackle, clearly unhappy with how they’ve started the game there. You could definitely argue with a couple of the decisions, but Ireland really need to get a grip on that quickly.
PENALTY! Wales 12-0 Ireland (Halfpenny) The game restarts and Halfpenny is his usual composed self, slotting a 38-metre penalty to push Wales 12 in front.
Penalty to Ireland — and we’re at least seeing a little bit of consistency from Barnes. Wales try to hold up Ireland in the tackle but don’t, and then don’t roll away quickly enough for the referee’s liking. It’s a tough one for Sexton…
MISSED! Sexton pulls it to slightly to the left and wide.
Sexton will have a chance to make amends immediately but it’s another tough one. Tommy Bowe tries to make ground up the middle and Scott Baldwin’s tackle is high. He’s a couple of yards inside the Welsh half…
PENALTY! Wales 12-3 Ireland (Sexton) It’s probably a tougher kick but it’s bang on the money. Ireland are up and running.
Better by Ireland. O’Mahony, Heaslip and O’Brien combine forces to hold Wales up in the tackle. Barnes calls a maul quickly and gives Ireland the penalty inside their own half. This will be their first chance to make meaningful inroads into Welsh territory.
Into the Welsh 22. It’s advantage to Ireland too.
Jared Payne tries a long looping pass as the ball is moved across the backs. It’s intercepted by George North but we’re back for the Irish advantage.
And it’s wasted – Ireland go to the corner yards from the Welsh line but Best’s throw is off-target and Warburton gets up in front of Devin Toner to make a big, big steal. All of Ireland’s good work undone in a flash.
Ireland get a penalty which allows them to relieve pressure inside their own half. Sexton kicks to the Welsh 10m line… BUT Best’s line-out throw is intercepted again. Has he got the hooker’s equivalent of the yips?
Superb athleticism by Liam Williams who rises highest to pluck possession from the sky. The Welsh kick-chase has been great in the opening 25 minutes.
Ireland have won back possession just inside the Welsh 10m. They’re looking for gaps in the line but they’re hard to come by.
YELLOW CARD! Sam Warburton is sent to the bin for going in off his feet at the ruck — big break for Ireland.
PENALTY! Wales 12-6 Ireland (Sexton) Sexton takes advantage of the penalty against Warburton to cut the Welsh lead to six. Just as importantly, Ireland will have a man advantage for most of the rest of the first half. Wayne Barnes has very audibly let Paul O’Connell know that the visitors are on a warning as well though.
Jamie Roberts goes into the scrum as Wales’s eighth man in the absence of Warburton. Ireland look to have got the shove on against the head — and Webb looks to have fed it straight into the second row — but the penalty goes against them somehow.
DROP GOAL! Wales 15-6 Ireland (Biggar) The Welsh forwards do a superb job of keeping the ball in hand and grinding out yard after yard, killing the clock until they’re back to full strength. Biggar drops back into the pocket and the pass to Biggar is perfect, giving him all the time in the world to slot a drop goal.
Here we go! Sexton feeds Paulie who makes a great line break, and then Jared Payne follows up with another good gain. It’s advantage Ireland, and it’s brought back for the penalty in front of the posts. Sexton kicks these in his sleep.
PENALTY! Wales 15-9 Ireland (Sexton) As I said, all day and all night. This has been a rip-roaring game and Ireland have done well to stay in touch after Wales’s fast star.
Sam Warburton’s back on for the last 90 seconds of the half. Rhys Webb is penalised at the base of a ruck and Sexton kicks it to the Welsh 10m. Can Ireland finish with a score?
Toner claims the lineout but Kearney spills it forward in midfield. The final play of the half will start with a Welsh scrum.
“It’s been a great contest, this scrum,” Barnes says with just a hint of self-congratulation.
Wales 15-9 Ireland Phew — that has been a breathless first half. Wayne Barnes has certainly been at the heart of the action, which is not what you really want to be saying about a referee, but Ireland have done well to battle back after that ominous opening quarter from Wales. You’d have to think Joe will be happy enough with a six-point deficit at the break.
Murray Kinsella in the Millennium Stadium:
Ireland grabbed a nice bit of momentum heading into half time there, although they might look back on that stolen lineout in the right corner with regret. They’re looking a little more fluid in phase play attack today, some clever dummy loop plays and that lovely delayed Sexton pass for O’Connell’s break. Wales ultra-competitive everywhere, and defending really well. They’re not over committing to the breakdown, and have two players covering deep spaces, so there’s not a whole lot of room for Ireland.
We’re underway again.
Substitution for Wales: Aaron Jarvis is on to replace Gethin Jenkins for the second half.
Biggar tries to set George North free with a long pass but it drifts just forward out of the out-half’s hands. Scrum Ireland on the half-way line.
Sexton tries a kick over North’s head but it’s just overcooked and it goes into touch on the full inside the Welsh 22. Ugh.
Ireland try to run the ball out from the back and, even though the Welsh line is up quickly each time, they manage to force it up towards the half-way line.
When they go wide, Rory Best is bundled into touch. Jamie Roberts looks to have been hurt in the tackle there.
It looked as though Jamie Roberts would have to come off for a cog test there but the Welsh medics are happy for him to continue without one. Wales win possession from the lineout.
Williams spills a Garryowen backwards but as Wales pounce on the loose ball, they’re offside. Chance for Ireland to relieve the pressure and build some of their own in Welsh territory.
Ireland are pressing through seven, now eight phases… PAULIE BREAKS INTO THE 22.
To within three metres
Wales stop Henshaw and then Payne…
Ireland into their 18th phase but Wales hold firm
Ireland have actually been driven backwards to about 10 yards now but they still have possession. This is phase 22 as Heaslip probes.
Sexton tries Heaslip on his shoulder but Faletau chops him down. 27 phases now.
Zebo nearly isolated but Ireland retain possession. Ireland have been pushed back outside the 22 as they hit 30 phases.
Ireland penalty after 30+ phases of play. Gripping stuff from both sides, and the Welsh defence was practically flawless until they didn’t roll away. Into the corner we go.
Best goes to Toner in the middle and possession is secured.
TOOOOOMMMMY… no, just short. Now, Murray is just short. Ireland are inches from the Welsh line.
Paulie, and then SOB, can’t find a way through. Ireland are still on the 5m line, asking every possible question.
We’re now into the 10th phase of this current Ireland possession. We go again.
PENALTY WALES! Nooooooooo. Jared Payne goes for the space and as Sexton arrives to secure possession, he goes in off his feet right in front of Wayne Barnes. It’s an obvious penalties and Wales celebrate as if they’ve just heard the final whistle.
Ireland sub: Cian Healy on for Jack McGrath in the front row.
Wales sub: Hibbard on for Scott Baldwin.
Superb break by Jonathan Davies. Ireland hanging on by their fingernails here.
Liam Williams hauled to ground two metres short. Think it was Rob Kearney.
OOOF! Biggar tries the looping pass to let Halfpenny dot down in the corner but it’s just out of reach, brushes off his fingertips, and into touch.
Ireland breathe — for now. This lineout will have to be on the money.
It’s not. Wales tip it back and they’re knocking on every Irish door again here, 10 metres out.
Wales back to within two metres…
TRY! Wales 20-9 Ireland (Scott Williams) Wales go wide and Scott Williams — who is only on the pitch two minutes — skins Healy and Heaslip on the outside and scores. Is that the game?
Halfpenny lets Ireland off the hook. He’s fluffed a pretty simple conversion. Eleven-point game with just under 20 minutes left.
Ireland subs: Reddan on for Murray, Moore on for Ross, Cronin on for Best, Henderson for Toner
Chance for Ireland to strike back immediately. They’re deep in Welsh territory and again, racking up the phases.
Faletau pinged. Reddan taps it quickly. Ireland on the line with men stacked up out wide…
KNOCKED FORWARD! Paulie picks off the base of the scrum and tries a short one to Healy but it’s lost forward. Glorious opportunity wasted.
My days. Will Ireland get a better chance than that this afternoon?
Ireland penalty — and Warburton is warned again as captain by Wayne Barnes. Sexton goes to the corner and possession is secured in the lineout. Five metres out again.
PENALTY TRY! Wales 20-16 Ireland GAME ON IN CARDIFF! The Irish maul powers towards the line and Wayne Barnes has no other option when Wales bring it to ground. It might have been Liam Williams but I’d need to see a replay.
Sexton converts and it’s a four-point game with 10 to play.
Don’t. Go. Anywhere.
Ireland have possession in their own half and are trying to force their way past the half-way line. Sexton knocks it forward. Aaaaagh.
Ireland sub: Jordi Murphy on to replace Jamie Heaslip, who’s limping a little.
Wales subs: Jake Ball on for Alun Wyn Jones — and a couple I didn’t mention earlier: Phillips on for Webb, Tipuric on for Lydiate.
Ireland have possession but they’re backed up deep inside their own half.
Penalty Wales — Cian Healy takes the ball into contact and he’s pinged for holding on the ground. Expect Halfpenny to drain every last second out of the clock here.
PENALTY! Wales 23-16 Ireland (Halfpenny) That could be the winning and losing of it there as Halfpenny slots the kick. Ireland have five minutes to get the converted try that would let them escape with a draw.
Ireland knock it on on the Welsh 22 and they’ve given Wales the put-in to the scrum.
Ireland free-kick at the scrum
Into the 22
The Welsh line holding firm but Ireland still have possession
PENALTY AND YELLOW CARD! Jonathan Davies goes to the bin for a deliberate knock-on. Ireland will have a man advantage for the last 117 seconds…
Wayne Barnes tells Ian Madigan to wait — and it’s just as well because it looks like his kick to the corner went dead. That would have been inexcusable.
Cronin’s lineout is tipped away from Paulie and Phillips hacks the ball into touch. Another Irish lineout as Warburton is named man of the match.
Paulie takes this lineout. Here comes the maul.
Held up short. Wayne Barnes gives the Wales the put-in.
There are only 14 seconds left here. The Grand Slam is dead, lads.
Wales 23-16 Ireland
Last-gasp drama as Ireland look to have the Welsh scrum in serious trouble feet from their own line, but Wayne Barnes deems it to be illegal and gives a Welsh penalty.
That’s it.
Did the best team win? I think so. Wayne Barnes certainly didn’t help Ireland’s cause but there were far more mistakes than we’ve come to expect from a Joe Schmidt side.
Phenomenal tackling by the Welsh as well:
Read Murray Kinsella’s full-time report from Cardiff here:
IRELAND’S GRAND SLAM dream ended with a 23-16 defeat to Warren Gatland’s impressively combative Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
In an enthralling game in Cardiff, Wales’ sublime defensive effort repelled Ireland at crucial times, while their lineout got the better of Paul O’Connell’s pack on the day of the lock’s 100th cap.
The championship remains alive for Ireland, who travel to Edinburgh next weekend, but there will be disappointment on the journey home from Wales. That said, the hosts were worthy of their win, attacking incisively at crucial points and arguably bettering Ireland in the aerial battle.
That’s it from me on the day the music died. We’ll have plenty more reaction and analysis over the course of the evening so make sure you stay with us.
Thanks for reading.
