A second-half try by replacement Scott Williams helped Wales to a pulsating 23-16 victory over Ireland Saturday in the Six Nations.
Wales led 15-9 at the break courtesy of four Leigh Halfpenny penalties and a Dan Biggar drop-goal with all of Ireland’s points coming from the boot of Jonny Sexton.
Ireland laid siege to the Welsh line in the second half without managing to score a try and paid the price when Williams touched down for what turned out to be the game’s defining score.
A late penalty try for Ireland set up a nervy final 10 minutes for Warren Gatland’s side but the home side held on.
“It’s the most I’ve been exhausted in a test match,” Sam Warburton said after his Welsh record 34th Test as captain. “The attitude and the effort of the guys was second to none. It was absolutely unbelievable. “This was as satisfying as the win against South Africa in the autumn. Ireland are that good.” Ireland lost not only a precious Grand Slam chance, but also lost for the first time in 11 matches and 13 months.
“We probably lost the battle in the air, and we didn’t quite get the speed of ruck ball that would have helped us, but we didn’t help ourselves,” Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said. “A lot of credit has to go to the Welsh defence. They made a lot of tackles, and they hung in really well when we did get pressure inside their 22.” Ireland went into the game at the Millennium Stadium as the tournament’s only unbeaten side but the result means they are joined at the top of the table by Wales on six points with one round of matches remaining.
England also moved to six points with a 25-13 victory in the later game in London against winless Scotland.
The English sit top of the table with a points difference of plus 37, the Irish have plus 33 and the Welsh plus 12.
The Scots surprisingly led the home side 13-10 at half-time after a Mark Bennett try converted by Greg Laidlaw, who also kicked two penalties.
The English opened the scoring through Jonathan Joseph, George Ford converting the try and adding a penalty before crossing for his own five-pointer which he converted, and then added a second penalty.
England failed to put Scotland away, however, until winger Jack Nowell scored a try five minutes from time.
“Frustrating,” England coach Stuart Lancaster said. “We probably left three or four tries out there.”
England play France at Twickenham in the final match of a Saturday triple-header next weekend, so will know the margin of victory needed for a first title since 2011.
Defending champions Ireland visit Scotland in the second game and Wales will open proceedings against Italy in Rome.
“We are last game up, so it sets up a big weekend,” Lancaster said. “We’ll need to be more clinical next week if we are to get the job done.”
Meanwhile, the fourth round of the Six Nations concludes Sunday when Italy welcome France.
