Going into this game I felt destiny was on Ireland's side. It turned out to be a classic 6 nations game full of nail biting tension. Wales matched Ireland in the first half and to my general surprise coped well with Ireland's attacking threats. The Welsh ball carriers targeted O'Gara alot and kept him busy tackling. Wales edged the first half 6 - 0 but Ireland were very much still in the game. This was proved all too early in the second half as Ireland ran in two tries in the first ten minutes to blow the whole game wide open and set them on course for their Grand Slam. The key figure as usual was BOD, and he was involved heavily in the first try, setting up Bowe to race up field and then scrambling over the line after intense pressure on the Welsh line. Wales barely had to absorb that body blow before O'Gara put in a neat cross field kick that found Tommy Bowe out wide. He brushed off Shane Williams and stepped inside Henson to coast in under the posts. A class finish from a class player. A nightmare start for Wales to the second half and the game looked over. Wales somehow dug deep and fought back through penalties from Jones. As the game wore on everyone began to realise it could turn into a tense and exciting finish. The last five minutes produced probably the most memorable of this 6 Nations. Mike Phillips produced a barn storming run that left a trail of Ireland players in his wake. His run took Wales into Ireland's 22 and with some composed play they set-up Stephen Jones for a drop kick that he duly slotted to send the Welsh support into ecstasy. Wales 15, Ireland 14. For a brief moment I actually thought Wales might win this game. From the resulting kick off Wales secured ball but an error from Stephen Jones, a direct kick into touch after the ball was taken into the 22, meant Ireland had a line out. Now it was their turn to show composure and they managed it quite superbly to set-up O'Gara for a drop kick. It sailed over and Welsh spirits sank. Destiny. With only three minutes there was still time for one more piece of high drama. Ireland managed to give away a penalty near the half line and Stephen Jones kick dropped just short. It was a great end to a tense match and those last five minutes were as exciting as anything I've seen sport for a long time.
On balance of play Ireland deserved their victory, they scored the only tries, and in Brian O'Driscoll they had an inspirational leader that put in another World class performance. Worthy Grand Slam winners. Well done Ireland.
As for Wales, I was pleased they ran Ireland close, even though they did not perform to their best.
My man of the match: BOD
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