Wales vs Ireland live: George North double secures victory for Welsh to open door for England to win Six Nations
All the latest updates from the Principality Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales got back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats to beat Ireland 22-9, with George North finding his form with two tries to hold off a spirited away side. The result now means that England can win the Six Nations title if they beat Scotland on Saturday, given that they will take a minimum eight-point lead with just one round to play. Re-live the action here.
- Wales beat Ireland 22-9 at the Principality Stadium
- George North scores tries either side of half-time to put Wales ahead
- Jonathan Sexton kicks two penalties with Paddy Jackson adding the third
- Jamie Roberts comes off the bench to seal the victory late on
- Defeat for Ireland means England can win the Six Nations title if they beat Scotland on Saturday
Follow the live blog below…
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Teams...
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Jamie Roberts
Ireland: R Kearney; K Earls, G Ringrose, R Henshaw, S Zebo; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Best, T Furlong, D Ryan, D Toner, CJ Stander, S O'Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: N Scannell, C Healy, J Ryan, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, K Marmion, P Jackson, T Bowe.
43 mins: A patient start from Ireland as they make little ground around 10m outside the Welsh 22. Eventually, and rather predictably, the error comes and Wales swoop. Webb nabs the ball, and Biggar sends a long kick towards the corner then sends Murray sprawling back. He tries to outwit Halfpenny, but when he's tackled he sensibly dives into touch. Advantage Wales...TRY FOR WALES!
44 mins: Wales set-up the maul before getting a shove on, and when the Irish pack are forced to commit to the maul to halt it, Webb takes the ball, offloads right down the blindside to the charging George North and he's over unopposed for his second try! Halfpenny gets the conversion, and Wales lead 15-6. To make matters worse, Murray is off and Kieran Marmion comes on in his place at scrum-half.
47 mins: Wales are on the attack once again and Biggar chips over for Williams to chase. Henshaw is back first and manages to kill off the attack, before Zebo kicks to touch on the 22. Sexton's eager to come back on, but he's got one more minute in the bin.
50 mins: Wales are rampant now and they're coming down the right once again. Williams takes the ball forwards, but when Moriarty tries to drive on, he's dragged into touch and the chance goes, much to Biggar's frustration as he was in the pocket for the drop-goal for the duration of the attack. That brings Sexton back on, and my how Ireland need him.
53 mins: The return of Sexton has lifted Ireland, and Ryan makes a telling break as he charges into the Welsh 22. Sexton brings the attack left, but Kearney is nailed by North and it stops the full-back in his tracks. Ireland are still charging though, and both Heaslip and McGrath make ground towards the 5m line. Wales then concede the penalty as Liam Williams flicks the ball into touch when off his feet in a ruck. Sexton goes tot he corner...
56 mins: Another penalty for Ireland as Ringrose is tackled high, albeit accidentally, by Biggar. Best isn't pleased with it, but there's nothing in that and the Welsh 10 is actually a tad hard done-by on that one. Sexton this time will go for goal, given it's bang in front of the posts.
59 mins: It's Wales' turn to attack and they have a huge overlap on the left. Davies feeds Williams, but the sprawling Earls and Kearney just stop him. The move brings play inside the Irish 22 though and alarm bells are ringing for the visitors. Biggar's dropped back for the drop-goal...it hits the upright! It deflects clear and Kearney is able to dot the ball down behind the try line for a 22m dropout. Cian Healy is on for Jack McGrath in the Irish front row.
60 mins: Irish try the sneaky 22 but Tipuric spots it and attacks. He offloads to Alun Wyn Jones, but the deflection sees the ball land back in his hands and he pops the ball back up again. That's a no-no, and Barnes rightly pings him for playing the ball on the floor.
61 mins: Smart play from Healy sees him play the ball behind to Sexton, who releases Zebo into Welsh territory. Ireland are looking much stronger now, and Sexton sends up a high one to test Halfpenny. He can't take it, but he manages to palm it backwards an Wales secure the ball for Webb to clear.
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