Spirited Wales Cannot Hold Back the Green Tide

As virtually everyone predicted, Wales lost to Ireland in Dublin with the final score 31-7 in favour of the rampant Irish who seem for all the world to be heading for a second successive grand slam.

Wales spent virtually the whole of the first half in defence with little meaningful possession of their own such was that the measure of control that the Irish held. The Welsh scrum was under severe pressure and penalised frequently. Despite the obdurate Welsh defence, the Irish forwards came up with two tries and with two conversions and a penalty the Irish were good value for a comfortable 17-0 lead.

In the second half, Wales came out with attacking intent and with a decent share of possession closed the gap to 17-7 with a penalty try. Ireland were reduced to fourteen men with a yellow card and the game became far more keenly contested with Wales gaining good field position and possession . The glaring difference between the two sides soon became apparent. The Wales attack looked blunt and one -dimensional as they hammered away at the Irish line with forward drives. The Irish defence was far too strong and far to savvy to let this trouble them. When the Irish attacked, however, they were far more incisive and scored two further tries - the second with the last play of the match. Both tries were converted and Ireland ended up 31-7 to the good with the try bonus point in their pockets.

The scoreline was perhaps a little flattering and does not reflect the Welsh efforts particularly in the second half but this a very good and ruthless Irish team with few, if any, weaknesses. Wales with their raft of young inexperienced players will surely learn from this defeat but will recognise how wide the gap is at the moment.

For Wales, it is a home game against France next. It represents a great opportunity for the young Welsh players to continue to make their mark against a much-vaunted French team.

In Murrayfield, a Van der Merwe hat trick of tries put paid to the pie-in-the sky English triple crown and grand slam aspirations as Scotland won 30-21. The game was plagued by a huge number of handling errors which made for plenty of thrills and spills but neither side seemed able to control the game. Neither side should trouble the Irish on this evidence.

Today, France take on Italy. The way things are looking, Wales could well be heading for a wooden spoon showdown against the Italians in Cardiff in the last match of their Six Nations’ Championship. Sad but true.

No game for Wales or Pooler for a couple of weeks so it’s back to the crochet.

Come on Pooler!

Come on Wales!