Ireland dominate first half against Wales
HT: Wales 3 Ireland 23
Ireland enjoyed a dream first half in today’s RBS 6 Nations opener in Cardiff to leave battered Wales staring at a heavy defeat.
Tries by Simon Zebo and Cian Healy and 10 points from Jonathan Sexton during a dominant opening half-hour stunned the Grand Slam champions, who were facing an eighth successive loss.
Ireland restored Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Rory Best and Sean O’Brien to their starting XV after the influential quartet missed the autumn schedule through injury, with Jamie Heaslip replacing O’Driscoll as captain.
Ireland displayed encouraging early signs by winning a turnover that unleashed blindside flanker Peter O'Mahony down the left wing and then Sean O’Brien ran with intent after peeling from the back of a line-out.
Quick hands from the Irish backs allowed Craig Gilroy to run down the right and in the 11th minute the Six Nations third favourites crossed thanks to the genius of Brian O’Driscoll.
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Outnumbered three to two close to the left touchline, O’Driscoll’s brilliant delay and step inside tied up all three defenders and prompted Alex Cuthbert to hesitate, offering space to Simon Zebo to race in.
Sexton added the conversion and Ireland continued to dominate the opening quarter with only desperate tackling preventing Gilroy from adding a second try.
The lead was extended to 10-0 by a Sexton penalty and another piece of magic - this time from Zebo – saw the battered Welsh slip further behind.
Best charged down Dan Biggar’s kick, juggled possession and fed Heaslip, whose pass was kept off the floor by a back-heel from Zebo that flicked the ball into the Munster wing’s hands.
Once more Gilroy was stopped short, but this time Cian Healy was on hand to barge over from close range with Sexton converting and slotting a second penalty as Ireland amassed 20 unanswered points.
Finally Wales ventured into the opposition 22 only for a poor pass from Jonathan Davies to end a promising move, though the passage of play concluded with a Leigh Halfpenny penalty.
The Welsh were bringing their giant wing George North into play, helping them established momentum as they renewed their assault.
Wave after wave of attacks were launched until referee Romain Poite cruelly intervened, penalising flanker Aaron Shingler for not releasing in what appeared a harsh decision.
To rub salt in Wales’ wounds, Sexton ended the half with a third penalty.
