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
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
Wales 16-0 Ireland, 42 minutes
Ireland make a mess of the scrum, driving the Welsh front row back and muddying matters for Ross Moriarty, who is off balance as he tries to pick the ball up and knocks on.
They'll go again from the same spot with the opposite feed.
Wales 16-0 Ireland, 44 minutes
It's another messy set piece and thus Ireland's attempted switchback play falters, Bundee Aki finding his route blocked by the imposing figure of Alun Wyn Jones, who puts him on his back.
Johnny Sexton slices his up-and-under, and it sails straight out of play.
Wales line out in the Ireland half.
Wales 16-0 Ireland, 45 minutes
And Wales maul well from the line out, making 20 metres-or-so, but failing to clear the ball when it is clearly available. The backs look on in frustration as it is sucked back into the middle of the rumbling red-and-green clutter, and as the ball goes to floor the scrum will be Ireland's.
Wales 16-0 Ireland, 47 minutes
Rob Kearney gets his first counter-attacking ball of the day, a gap open for the briefest of moments before being closed by two Welsh tacklers.
Cian Healy then takes out Tomas Francis off the ball after the Welsh tighthead slips off a tackle.
It's a touch harsh, but Wales will look for three more points from in front of the posts.
PENALTY! Wales 19-0 Ireland (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 49 minutes)
The ball ducks inside the right-hand upright and Wales add three more.
Wales 19-0 Ireland, 49 minutes
It's not Ireland's day.
Jonathan Davies misjudges Johnny Sexton's restart but the bounce of the ball takes it beyond the try line and into touch in-goal.
Wales scrum on the halfway line.
Wales 19-0 Ireland, 51 minutes
Gareth Davies scampers away from the scrum and gets away to make 15 metres, but Ireland win the turnover in the next phase.
Wales reset and form a red wall, Keith Earls met meatily as he cuts inside.
Time for some kick tennis.
Wales 19-0 Ireland, 52 minutes
Dan Biggar pushes Conor Murray back and the scrum-half's clearance is poor. Wales line out.
Sean O'Brien has had a very quiet afternoon by his standards, a disappointment given this may be his final Six Nations game. Jack Conan replaces him
Wales 19-0 Ireland, 53 minutes
Deja vu all over again.
CJ Stander wraps up Alun Wyn Jones in a good tackle but fails to show enough effort to move away.
Penalty in a virtually identical spot to Gareth Anscombe's previous three...
PENALTY! Wales 22-0 Ireland (Gareth Anscombe penalty, 54 minutes)
Right down the middle.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments