Ireland have laid down a marker in this year’s Six Nations championship – and an omen for Joe Schmidt’s era that was loaded with promise - with a show of dominance against reigning champions Wales, beating them by 26-3 at the Aviva stadium.
Ireland put in a show of excellence in every department, reducing Wales to a litany of errors, both forced and unforced. The level of dominance drew memories of last year’s first half at the Millennium Stadium, when Ireland were playing like a team soon to disappear and fail to reappear for the duration of that year’s championship. This time, however, that performance was maintained, and was it not for a forward pass from Rory Best after the 80th minute this could have been a 30 point win.
Peter O’Mahony was awarded the Man of the Match award and provided a platform for Ireland to frustrate and wear down the visitors. It was a win short on style but high on professionalism.
Joe Schmidt’s pre-game call for discipline in the face of the ever present threat of Leigh Halfpenny’s boot was heeded to the letter, with the Welsh placekicker not getting a shot at the Irish posts until the 55th minute.
By that point Ireland had opened up a 16 point lead. Jonny Sexton had kicked 3 penalties and a conversion to go with Chris Henry’s first international try, scored when he snuck over the Welsh line as part of a maul in the 31st minute.
Paddy Jackson added the insurance score with his first international try in the 79th minute, darting through a yawning crater in the Welsh line following an excellent Irish maul making it to the 5 metre line.
Image: Ireland's Cian Healy celebrates as Chris Henry scores a try
©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
