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Ireland stormed ever closer to a NatWest 6 Nations title showdown with England by dismissing Wales 37-27 in Dublin.<\/p>\nIreland stormed ever closer to a NatWest 6 Nations title showdown with England by dismissing Wales 37-27 in Dublin.<\/p>\n
Jacob Stockdale bagged a brace, with Bundee Aki, Dan Leavy and Cian Healy all crossing too as Ireland racked up a bonus-point victory to stun Warren Gatland’s Wales.<\/p>\n
Visiting scrum-half Gareth Davies had vowed Wales would chase a bonus-point win of their own in Ireland in the build-up – but Ireland made a mockery of that prediction with a consummate, if nerve-jangling – triumph.<\/p>\n
Peerless scrum-half Conor Murray’s sterling service greased the gears on Ireland’s smooth operation, with Joe Schmidt’s men even shrugging off Johnny Sexton unusually missing 10 points with the boot.<\/p>\n
Despite dominating for large swathes, Ireland only ended up winning the day thanks to Murray’s late penalty goal and a last-gasp intercept score for Stockdale.<\/p>\n
Head coach Schmidt’s Ireland men face England at Twickenham on March 17 in a tournament-closing encounter. On this evidence, Irish hopes will warm towards a potential St Patrick’s Day victory to treasure.<\/p>\n
Eddie Jones’ England will doubtless prove a different proposition, but all that now stands between Ireland and that final-weekend showdown is the Scotland clash in Dublin on March 10.<\/p>\n
Half-back Davies, Aaron Shingler and Steff Evans grabbed tries for Wales, but the visitors were outmuscled and outclassed, eventually.<\/p>\n
Dan Leavy, Keith Earls and Chris Farrell all shone brightly as Ireland coped manfully without key injured trio Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw.<\/p>\n
Not even Sexton’s off-kilter day from the tee, possibly down to his stiff back, could derail Ireland’s potent performance at the Aviva Stadium.<\/p>\n
The scoreline failed to reflect Ireland’s supremacy, with the hosts unable to capitalise on mountains of territory and possession.<\/p>\n
Ireland raced out of the blocks but Wales grabbed almost all the early advantage.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny posted a tough penalty just two minutes in when Aki played the ball offside from Earls knocking on a Biggar crossfield punt.<\/p>\n
The hosts subsequently bossed the first quarter, but Sexton missed three regulation shots at goal.<\/p>\n
Those eight missed points hurt Ireland, despite Stockdale finishing well from Sexton’s smart cut-pass.<\/p>\n
Davies sniped home for a Wales try to cut Ireland’s wind, the scrum-half capitalising on a powerful drive from Rob Evans.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny’s conversion and a penalty put Wales 13-5 ahead fully against the run of play, before Ireland finally forced further dividend.<\/p>\n
Sexton found his kicking boots to post a penalty after concerted home pressure, before Aki pounded through and stretched out to dot down Ireland’s second try.<\/p>\n
The conversion saw Ireland carry a 15-13 lead into the break, a paltry return for such sizeable graft.<\/p>\n
Rob Kearney’s botched long-range drop-goal attempt proved a speculative opening to the second-half, but Ireland kept pressing.<\/p>\n
Kearney atoned with a fine half-break before feeding Earls on the right flank, with Murray clutching the inside ball at the second attempt to keep the move alive.<\/p>\n
Leavy powered home for Ireland’s third try shortly afterwards, a fine fillip for a strong showing.<\/p>\n
And the hosts bagged the bonus-point score comfortably inside the hour, courtesy of Healy’s short drive home.<\/p>\n
Ireland kicked a penalty to the corner, lost the lineout – but forced Wales to carry over and dot down, for an attacking five-metre scrum.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny scragged the breaking Murray, but Ireland kept calm, with Healy carrying on and finishing in style.<\/p>\n
Just when Ireland thought they were home and hosed, Shingler popped up on the wing to coast over after the hosts simply ran out of defensive numbers.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny’s stunning touchline conversion pushed Wales within seven points, but there was to be no stirring comeback.<\/p>\n
Murray’s calm penalty nudge proved hugely important, as Wales sneaked a third try through wing Evans, conjured by Josh Navidi’s neat flip-pass.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny’s conversion cut Ireland’s lead to just three points with as many minutes on the clock, only for Stockdale to hunt down that intercept score and cement the win.<\/p>\n