Wales 23 Ireland 16

Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes ended in the Millennium stadium as Joe Schmidt’s side were beaten 23 points to 16 by Wales. In what was a breath-taking encounter, both sides had chances to win it, but the home team’s tenacious defence proved to be the difference as Ireland’s ten-game winning streak came to an end.

Both Ireland and Wales now go into the final weekend with a chance to win the Championship but Ireland will be bitterly disappointed not to have won the game and to have stood a chance of winning their first RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam since 2009.

Wales began the match at a frenetic pace racing into a 12 nil lead within 13 minutes. Fullback Leigh Halfpenny punished Ireland for ill discipline and kicked four penalties out of four in the game’s opening exchanges.

Ireland’s first points of the game came from the boot of Jonathan Sexton who kicked a penalty on 18 minutes. He doubled his tally for the game when Sam Warburton saw yellow for not rolling away and cut Wales’ lead to six points.

However approaching half-time Ospreys outhalf, Dan Biggar, landed a huge drop goal from all of 40 metres to make it 15-6.

From the restart Ireland gathered possession and looked to unlock the Welsh defence. Murray put Paul O’Connell through a gap but again, the try alluded Ireland. However, Wales were penalised for a high tackle and Sexton made no mistake with the kick

Half Time: Wales 15 Ireland 9

The six point margin was the same as in 2009 when Ireland came from behind to beat Wales and claim a Grand Slam and Ireland started the second half like a side that were determined to see history repeat itself.

Wave after wave of Irish attack was repelled by Wales and their fortitude in defence was rewarded as they went down the other end and scored a try of their own.

Scott Williams cut through the Irish line on 62 minutes and went over for the first try of the game.

Ireland were then 11 points down and knew if they were to take anything from the match then they had to score next.

Again they attacked the Welsh line in waves but this time they were rewarded for their efforts. Wales were penalised for pulling down an Ireland maul and referee Wayne Barnes ran under the posts and awarded the penalty try.

With just four points in it, Ireland were now chasing the win. Yet again Ireland attacked and yet again Wales defended incredibly.

After Cian Healy was penalised for holding on as it looked odds on that Ireland would score, Wales moved the ball down the other end and won another penalty.

Halfpenny kicked it and Wales had a seven point lead.

In the final stages, Ireland mauled to within a metre of the Welsh line but the referee judged that the ball wasn’t coming out and awarded the scrum to Wales. Despite a huge Irish shove in the scrum, the referee gave the penalty to the home side, the ball was kicked into touch and Wales had the win.

Ireland now take on Scotland at Murrayfield knowing that if they are to win the Championship, nothing less than a victory – and a big one at that, will do.

Full Time Wales 23 Ireland 16