Ireland success delights BoD
Sat, 13 Mar 2010 22:29
Brian O'Driscoll saluted his teammates after Ireland marked their captain's 100th Test for his country with a decisive 27-12 Six Nations win over Wales at Croke Park on Saturday.
Reigning champions Ireland were worthy winners after scoring three tries, two from wing Keith Earls and another from scrumhalf Tomas O'Leary to ensure O'Driscoll's landmark day ended with his side on course for a Triple Crown, and a possible successful title defence, when they face Scotland in Dublin in next week's final round of matches.
"It was a different day, a different feeling," O'Driscoll told reporters.
"It was probably more emotional than I thought it would be. It's a massive honour to play for my country a hundred times. The reception I received was an extra with winning today. I'm delighted for the boys, the staff and the great squad who didn't get to put the jersey on."
The course of the match was effectively decided in the 25th minute when Wales fullback Lee Byrne was yellow carded for deliberately slapping the ball away from Ireland scrumhalf Tomas O'Leary.
Ireland scored two tries during Byrne's 10 minutes in the sin-bin to go 16-3 ahead.
Wales, as in their defeats by England and France, and even in their lone victory over Scotland, faced an imposing deficit. Despite four penalties from flyhalf Stephen Jones, they never looked like denying Ireland victory.
"The yellow card was very costly," said Wales's former Ireland coach Warren Gatland.
"It appears we haven't learnt our lesson from what happened against England [when lock Alun-Wyn Jones was sin-binned]. From a coaching point of view that is very disappointing."
Wales did have chances to score tries, notably from a couple of scrum penalties early in the second half when just metres from Ireland's line.
But Ireland's set piece and defence held firm.
"That scrum was a big turning point," said Wales captain Martyn Williams, leading the side in place of the injured Ryan Jones.
"We were on top of the scrum a but lack of concentration cost us.
"At key points we switched off and Ireland were more clinical."
Gatland added: "It was a great scrum by Ireland. It was a big moment, a turning point in the game. If we'd scored, we might have put them under pressure."
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards added: "The Irish defence was better than ours. Their centre combination [Gordon D'Arcy and O'Driscoll] have played together for three years, ours [Jamie Roberts and James Hook] for three matches."
As well as Ryan Jones, Wales were without several other first-choice players in scrum-half Mike Phillips, back-row Andy Powell, locks Alun-Wyn Jones and Deiniol Jones and prop Gethin Jenkins.
"We have struggled a little with regard to our strength in depth," Gatland admitted. "We are missing some key players at the moment."
Meanwhile both O'Driscoll and Ireland coach Declan Kidney warned Ireland fans not to take lightly the threat posed by Scotland, who drew 15-15 against England on Saturday.
"It's far from a foregone conclusion," O'Driscoll said. "All the times I've played against Scotland, they've never made it easy."
And Kidney added: "The Scots are well-known for ruining a few Irish parties. The great thing about this competition is that no two games are alike."
AFP
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