By Lucky Maree
A good big one, they say in the boxing world, will always beat a good little one – and pound for pound, the Welsh team is just simply too lightweight for the dominant Irish.
If Wales coach Warren Gatland was secretly hoping to upset the Irish apple cart, he has come down with an unpleasant bump.
Johnny Sexton is always a handful for any opposition (and the ref) but playing behind the dominant Irish pack, he is given the chance to flash his styles.
To be fair, Sexton (and nobody has ever accused him of modesty) has once again shown that he is one of the world’s top players – and he will certainly be one of the key figures at the World Cup.
On the other hand, with halftime coming up, Gatland’s favourite flyhalf, Dan Biggar, had almost no effect on the game. But then, neither has Welsh legend Alun Wyn Jones who looks just a little reluctant to fully commit himself to the loose scrum.
Early in the second half the Welsh show a pleasing, and somewhat surprising, fighting spirit. Liam Williams scores a try that almost the full team had a hand in and the score, though nowhere near threatening the Irish lead, certainly looks better on the scoreboard.
It takes until the 71st minute for the Irish to score the vital fourth try for the bonus point.
The scoreboard shows a dominant victory for the Irish, but that is not the full story. On the field, it is a testament to Warren Gatland’s men that they kept fighting to the final whistle, including denying the Irish a try in the final move of the match.
Wales (1 try) 10-34 (4 tries) Ireland.
Pictured above: Ireland touching down against Wales
Image source: LeinsterRugby
