Ireland, Wales play out Six Nations draw

Ireland’s full half Johnny Sexton converts a penalty to level the scores to 16-16 during a Six N …

Ireland and Wales battled to a 16-16 draw Sunday in the Six Nations as both sides mounted disciplined defenses and pinpoint kicking.

Mind the gap: Conor Murray bursts over to score for Ireland.

Ireland’s record against Le Bleus, particularly away from home, isn’t great, but D’Arcy believes this might be the best time to take them on.

It means that Welsh hopes of repeating their feat of Grand Slams in the tournament following the last two World Cups have been dashed at the first hurdle, nor will they have the chance to lift the Triple Crown at Twickenham in round four.

It is a very tight turnaround for Ireland, particularly after such a gruelling Six Nations opener, and boss Joe Schmidt is more than wary of the threat posed by Les Bleus, who showed small glimpses of the Gallic flair of old in their narrow opening win against Italy. Even if the No 8 had not scored, a penalty try was no doubt coming Wales’ way.

Rob Evans, viewed as the long-term successor to Gethin Jenkins, has also come on in this department as well as impressing in the loose.

Taulupe Faletau’s try before the break came at a crucial time for Wales, who were blown away by an impressive Irish opening, before they took control of the set piece and overpowered the reigning champions.

Defensive authority – Given all the attacking exuberance, it was strong defensive performances that limited each team to a try apiece.

ITV pundits Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O’Driscoll suggested it might have been a ploy from Ireland to get the pivot involved in a breakdown early on.

Sexton kicked over a second penalty after Jamie Roberts found himself penalised for loitering at the wrong side of a ruck. Priestland’s conversion narrowed Ireland’s lead to 13-10.

He was replaced by Rhys Priestland, whose goal-kicking helped haul Wales back into the contest from 13-0 adrift, with Gatland confirming immediately after the match that Biggar had suffered a sprained ankle. Priestland collected the ball but made little ground with his clearance – and if he’d reacted better he would simply have touched the ball down for a 22 dropout.

Wales could know more in the next 24 hours or so about fly-half Dan Biggar’s prospects of facing RBS 6 Nations opponents Scotland next Saturday.

Ireland: S Zebo; A Trimble, J Payne, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, N White; M McCarthy, D Toner; CJ Stander, J Heaslip, T O’Donnell.

Five minutes after the re-start Priestland punished Ireland for going over the top at a ruck and then gave Wales the lead 28 minutes later into a game that was hard-fought over every inch of turf.

“Getting such a big team first up and having the ball in play for 39-odd minutes and both teams were suffering at the end of it a bit, [Wales] have to welcome Scotland at the weekend and it’s a little more complicated for us travelling to France”.