Wales vs Ireland LIVE: Hosts hammer visitors to claim 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam
Here's how the final day of the Six Nations championship played out
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales thrashed Ireland 25-7 to win the Six Nations Grand Slam.
Hadleigh Parkes' try inside just 70 seconds set the tone before fly-half Gareth Anscombe took over from the tee to add a further 20 points as the hosts hit the front and never looked back.
Ireland scored with the final play of the game to avoid being left scoreless but it was a day to forget for them in Cardiff.
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Tadgh Beirne starts for the first time in the Six Nations for Ireland, while Joe Schmidt recalls two of his fit again favourites, Sean O'Brien and Rob Kearney starting at open side flanker and full-back respectively.
It is almost time.
It's the big one. The nauseating talk about the roof, the psychological warfare, the tackle count discussion - it's all over. It's time to play rugby.
The roof is open, of course, and the players emerge from into the wet and wild that Storm Gareth has brought, warmed by flamethrowers and the roar of the crowd and perhaps rugby's greatest arena.
The Principality impeccably falls silent in reflection of the atrocities in Christchurch earlier in the week.
Beautifully observed.
Ireland answer their call with a strong rendition. Plenty of green jerseys in the stadium.
The noise!
A stirring rendition of "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" of real gusto and volume.
The atmosphere is quite something.
80 minutes between Wales and a Grand Slam.
Angus Gardner is the Australian referee this afternoon with the unenviable task of keeping such a high-stakes affair under control.
Alun Wyn Jones glares at the Irish team as his side assembles for the kick-off. Rory Best takes a deep breath.
Wales will kick-off. Gareth Anscombe has the ball in hand.
Wales 0-0 Ireland, 1 minutes
Perfect start for Wales!
George North's chase is excellent and he bundles the Irish taker into touch inside the Ireland 22.
Wales set up the maul from the lineout.
TRY! Wales 7-0 Ireland (Hadleigh Parkes, 1 minute)
WHAT A START FOR WALES!
James Ryan comes in at the side so Wales have the advantage, and Gareth Anscombe goes to his boot.
Such a silky playmaker, the out-half delectably chips over the top and it is right into Hadleigh Parkes' path, who gathers and flops over the line. A combination forged in New Zealand but now firmly Welsh, and they set their side on their way.
Anscombe converts. The perfect beginning.
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