Warburton: Draw not good for anyone

Neither side could find a way through for the win.

After such a physical battering with the Irish, Wales now have a short turnaround before they face Scotland in the first Six Nations game to take place at the newly named Principality Stadium.

Ireland took command thanks to a pair of penalties by Jonathan Sexton and the fly-half added the extras after a predatory finish by his half-back partner Conor Murray after hard carries by centre Robbie Henshaw, number eight Jamie Heaslip and prop Jack McGrath.

“A draw is not a good result for anyone”.

Wales and Ireland opened their Six Nations campaigns with a tense 16-16 draw at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

‘I think we did well when it came to retaining the ball out there against Wales.

It was a tense contest.

After Wales points-machine Biggar hobbled off, replacement Priestland blew hot and cold, kicking his penalties but his fumble led to Ireland crossing.

The scrum-half claimed Ireland’s only try as Johnny Sexton’s late penalty clinched a 16-16 draw in Dublin on Sunday.

Priestland fumbled his second touch of the ball to spark an Ireland break-out that led to their first try, O’Donnell hacking to halfway where Davies was overwhelmed and Sexton chipped to the corner.

Momentum shifted when Keith Earls knocked Wales fullback Liam Williams to the turf, forcing a fumble and creating what would have been a unsafe Irish counterattack deep into Welsh territory.

Wales might point to the enforced change just before kick off when Liam Williams came in for the injured Gareth Anscombe at full back, and they lost Biggar on 21 minutes after he failed to run off an early injury, but other than that it was a full strength side.

The breakdown was ferociously competitive and it was no surprise to see a ruck penalty set up the next score as Priestland nailed a 72nd minute kick to move Wales in front for the first time.

“Maybe we had to go forward as well and maybe we didn’t get the balance right”.

Wales managed to thwart the threat, though, and entering the final quarter there remained nothing to choose between the teams, both in terms of the scoreboard and every key area.

Over the course of Joe Schmidt’s 28 games in charge, Ireland have let a lead of 13 or more points slip three times. As a fourth scrum was driven towards the Ireland line No8 Taulupe Faletau picked up and steamrollered Murray to score his fifth Test try.

The alarm bells were ringing for Wales, yet their aggressive defence ensured they retained a foothold near halfway before going through several patient phases of play as they probed for an opening.

And seven minutes later Wales found themselves 13-0 down when the men in green finally forced their way through the red wall.

Priestland missed the chance to win the game when he was off target with a drop goal attempt in with two minutes left on the clock.