Irish survive Welsh surge to win Six Nations rugby opener

Ireland won the opening match, which took place at the Millennium Stadium in Wales, by 30 pooints to 22. Despite dominating the Welsh in the first half, leading by 20 points at half time, the Welsh fought back to bring the game within two scores.

The first half was heavily dominated by the Irish, captained by number eight Jamie Heaslip. The decision to appoint Heaslip as captain over Brian O’Driscoll at the end of last year caused some controversy – but if O’Driscoll was bothered by this he didn’t show it.

Quick hands from the Irish centre put winger Simon Zebo through for Ireland’s first try of the game (pictured, below), and the first try of the 2013 Six Nations competition.

Fly half Jonathan Sexton then converted to give Ireland seven points. Sexton was on hand to increase the lead minutes later, converting a penalty with his boot. Another try for the Irish, who appeared to have the game fully in their control, followed in the 24th minute from Cian Healey. Sexton again coverted.

In a game at times marked by poor Welsh discipline, Ireland’s next points came from a second penalty – with the ever consistent Sexton scoring from a tight angle.

However. in the 34th minute the Welsh managed to get their first points of the game – full back Leigh Halfpenny coverting a penalty for the Welsh.The point appeared to bring the Welsh to life, and a sustained period of pressure looked as though it might lead to a first Welsh try. However, a penalty handed possession back to the Irish, who later scored from a third penalty to bring the score at half time to Wales 3 – Ireland 23.

Wales needed a strong start to the second half to get back into the game – but instead received the worst possible start. Ireland scoring three minutes into play through O’Driscoll, who forced his way over the line for his 46th international try.

More poor discipline from Wales led to another penalty for Ireland before the half hour mark, which Sexton coverted from a tight angle.

Wales earned their first points of the game in the 34th minute, Leigh Halfpenny converting a penalty to bring the score to Wales 3, Ireland 20. Wales appeared to come to life after the score – with their best piece of pressure being applied just shy of the Irish try line – but ended with a penalty against Wales for not releasing the ball.

Sexton converted a third penalty just before half time – bringing Ireland’s lead to 23-3.

Second half

Ireland started strongly with O’Driscoll forcing his way over the line for his 46th international try, in the 43rd minute.

But Wales now started going for broke, increasing pressure on the Irish which allowed Alex Cuthbert to break through the green line to score near the posts (pictured, above). Halfpenny converted the points, bringing the score to Wales 10, Ireland 30.

And the Welsh pressure continued, often spearheaded by Welsh star George North. The pressure led to frantic defending from the Irish, and sometimes illegal defending – leading to the departure of Rory Best who was yellow-carded in the 57th minute. With strength in numbers the Welsh persisted – and Leigh Halfpenny scored in the corner, after a video confirmation. Halfpenny failed to convert the try from the tight angle.

Wales now needed to gain 16 points in the remaining 20 minutes in order to win the match. With the Irish in disarray, number eight Toby Felatau broke through and appeared to score at the base of the posts – but a TV replay denied Wales the points. At the same time scrum half Conor Murray was sinbinned.

However, the pressure was still on the Irish, but they manged to hold out – and a Welsh knock-on relieved the pressure. But the Welsh kep pushing and another try came in the 75th minute, then converted by Leigh Halfpenny, to cut the defecit to eight points with less than four minutes of the game left.