Wales lead by ten at the break
Wales 16 Ireland 6
Wales remained on course to claim their first Grand Slam title for 27 years after amassing a commanding interval lead at the Millennium Stadium.
Prop Gethin Jenkins crossed for a 16th-minute try while Gavin Henson and Stephen Jones booted the remainder of Wales’ points in a one-sided first half.
Ireland could only muster two Ronan O’Gara penalties in reply and needed to step up several gears after the break if they were to have any hope of gatecrashing the Grand Slam party.
Ireland made a comfortable start with number eight Anthony Foley catching Stephen Jones' kick-off and embarking on a bullocking run which made some 15 metres.
The ball was recycled, fed to Johnny O’Connor who made further ground, and then Ronan O’Gara pinned Wales back with a cool touch-finder.
Ruddock’s side were penalised for jumping across at the ensuing line-out, allowing O’Gara to draw first blood with a third-minute penalty which sailed between the uprights.
Cardiff flanker Tom Shanklin settled Welsh nerves with a powerful surge up the middle and Ireland infringed, but Jones pushed his shot at goal wide of the left post.
Wales launched a wave of attacks but scarcely broke the gainline with a knock-on from Henson allowing Ireland to escape to safety.
O’Driscoll looked to be in trouble in the 10th minute for palming Brent Cockbain in the face and then appearing to stamp on the Ospreys lock, who was attempting to get up.
Referee Chris White failed to spot the incident which went unpunished, but outraged Welsh fans soon turned their minds to other matters as Henson slotted a drop goal.
Wales extended their lead in the 16th minute when an O’Gara clearance was charged down by prop Gethin Jenkins who fly-hacked forward and fell on the ball when it cross the line. Jones converted.
Jenkins' try, his third for Wales, was a big blow to Irish hopes as it was crucial they prevented the home side building any momentum - a task that seemed to be slipping from their hands as Henson rifled over a penalty from the halfway line.
A stunning move in the 24th minute carved Wales wide open, however, with O’Driscoll feeding winger Denis Hickie in the inside before the ball found Girvan Dempsey via Geordan Murphy.
But Dempsey did not have the legs to win the race to the whitewash as Jones and Mark Taylor covered to make a superb double tackle, holding the Leinster winger up over the line.
Ireland had the put in at the scrum but despite Shane Byrne hooking the ball, it found its way on to the Wales’ side as the home team claimed a crucial turnover, before Jones potted his second penalty to increase the lead to 16-3 shortly after.
A late tackle on O’Driscoll gave O’Gara a chance to reduce the deficit and he gratefully accepted but Wales went straight back on the offensive only for full-back Kevin Morgan to knock on.
Ireland found themselves in a an encouraging position as Wales faced a line-out close to their whitewash but lock Paul O’Connell infringed and the home side eased out of danger.
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