In Dublin it ends 27-17. The hosts have 14 points, -1 from leaders France. Victory signed by the goals of Stockdale, Crowley, Conan and Osborne. For the guests, the one scored by prop Carre was amazing
He’s struggling a lot more than expected, but Ireland is also in the title race. Thanks to the hard-fought 27-17 victory over Wales in Dublin in the match that opened the program of the fourth day of the Six Nations, coach Andy Farrell’s team sits in second place in the standings with 14 points, -1 behind France, awaiting tomorrow from the difficult away match against Scotland (third on 11) at Murrayfield (3.10 pm). A possible three-way race from which Italy and England are excluded, tied on 5 points and on the pitch tomorrow at the Olimpico at 5.40pm. Wales close the table at 1.
what a destination!
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It took Ireland 6 minutes to break the deadlock, with a try from Jakob Stockdale, who received Stuart McCloskey’s short pass from 5 meters and with the right inside corner avoided Dan Edwards’ tackle and closed between the posts. In the 16th minute, Wales shortened the lead with Edwards’ set-piece. From here the guests take control of the match, but are unable to finalize the enormous amount of possession. However, the Irish succeeded in the 37th minute, despite the great Welsh defence: Jack Crowley found the right opening, receiving from Jamison Gibson-Park, feigning a pass to the winger and throwing himself into the gap between the two defenders. Crowley who after converting the first try, misses the second. But with time up, the most incredible goal of the Six Nations arrived: the Welsh opened towards the left, the ball ended up with prop Rhys Carre who faked a pass towards the out while with one hand he moved the winger Robert Baloucoune and ran away uncatchable with an incredible 30 meter sprint towards the goal. Which Edwards converts to make it 12-10 which leads to halftime.
photocopy
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The start of the second half is a carbon copy of the first: the Irish attack takes on an unsustainable momentum and after a couple of phases it is Jack Conan who breaks through from close range. In reality the ball seems to escape the flanker before hitting the ground, the referee calls the TMO for help but the decision is made to validate, even if huge doubts remain. But Wales are definitely alive and in the 63rd minute they open it up again: a long series of attempts with the forwards in front of the posts until flanker James Botham finds the hole between the green shirts. Edwards converts it for -2. However, 5 minutes pass and Ireland finds the bonus goal: Gibson-Park is stopped a step away from the left flag, but the ball is preserved and reopened, nice hands from Crowley and Stockdale for goalkeeper Jamie Osborne who finishes. Scrum-half Tomos Williams was also shown a yellow card in the action, while 21-year-old Louie Hennessey made his debut, replacing Elliott Mee on the wing. Crowley sensationally missed the easy conversion, but in the 77th minute he put in the shot which put the victory in the safe.
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