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As it happenedended1552754840

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

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 16 March 2019 17:26 GMT
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Wales v Ireland: Six Nations match preview

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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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​Wales 7-0 Ireland, 4 minutes

Wales fail to deal adequately with the Johnny Sexton restart and Ireland will have possession for the first time.

Garry Ringrose brings in Rob Kearney who weaves through a gap, but Gareth Davies is quick off the blocks and forces Cian Healy to take his eye off the ball, the loosehead knocking on.

Welsh scrum on their own 22.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 14:52
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Wales 7-0 Ireland, 5 minutes

Wales lose possession, Gareth Davies unable to handle the ball at the back of the scrum and handing it to Ireland.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 14:53
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​Wales 7-0 Ireland, 6 minutes

Wales recover the ball, however, but Josh Adams is over eager on the chase, sliding across the damp turf and tripping Keith Earls.

Penalty Ireland.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 14:54
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Wales 7-0 Ireland, 7 minutes

What a tackle!

It's so, so clever from Johnny Sexton, a magnificent cross field kick into the onrushing Jacob Stockdale's path, the Irish winger getting by the first Welsh defender and seemingly away.

But Hadleigh Parkes steams across on the angle and chops Stockdale down at the thighs, textbook technique to cut the Ulsterman down and force the knock-on.

Quite the start from Parkes. 

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 14:56
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Wales 7-0 Ireland, 9 minutes

Wales win a penalty from the scrum, but there's concern over George North, who is holding his arm awkwardly.

Yep - he's going off. Dan Biggar strips off hastily and will come on with the game firmly in its infancy.

Biggar to ten, Gareth Anscombe to full-back, Liam Williams to the wing.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 14:57
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Wales 7-0 Ireland, 10 minutes

Cian Healy comes in at the side as Wales assemble a maul, and is duly penalised.

Oh no! Alun Wyn Jones lets out an anguished cry as the penalty is awarded and is receiving treatment.

It's a leg issue.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 14:59
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A grimace on the face of Alun Wyn Jones as he is hoisted back to his feet, extra strapping on his left leg allowing him to continue.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 14:59
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​Wales 7-0 Ireland, 11 minutes 

And he claims the next line out, Wales working a move with Liam Williams peeling to the back after standing in the line at the front as they try to launch one of their strike runners.

Wales then go traditional, powerful carries into the teeth of the Irish defence.

It's a touch messy, but they're making ground.

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 15:01
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Wales 7-0 Ireland, 13 minutes

Brilliant by Tadhg Beirne.

One of the best breakdown operators in Europe, Beirne limpets onto the ball as Wales are slow to resource a ruck five yards from the line and the second row rips the ball way.

Ireland steal the Welsh line out on the 22, too, and then earn a penalty as Josh Navidi's tackling contact is high. 

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 15:02
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​Wales 7-0 Ireland, 14 minutes

Angus Gardner takes some time to sort out the line out, ensuring there is a clear gap.

And he's not happy. James Ryan stepped into the gap so clearly indicated. Free kick Wales.

Into the Cardiff sky...

Harry Latham-Coyle16 March 2019 15:04

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