Ireland beat Wales, win first Grand Slam since 1948

Ireland claimed their first Grand Slam since 1948 after edging Wales 17-15 at the Millennium Stadium here on Saturday.

Two tries in the first six minutes of the second-half from Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe, both converted by Ronan O'Gara, seemed set to be enough to see the gritty Irish side to victory.

But Wales hit back with four penalties and a drop-goal from Stephen Jones that gave the home side a 15-14 lead with four minutes of the hard-hitting game to play.

It was left to O'Gara, whose out-of-hand kicking in the second-half proved the foundation for Irish success, to kick a drop-goal a minute later to end Ireland's 61-year drought.

However, they then survived a fraught final minute when Jones missed with a penalty attempt from just inside the halfway line.

Man-of-the-match O'Driscoll said: "We took a lot of flak over the last 18 months but now we are the Six Nations Grand Slam winners for the first time in 61 years. I'm delighted."

When asked what coach Declan Kidney said at half-time, when Ireland trailed 6-0, O'Driscoll added: "He said 'We are still in it and we've not converted pressure into points.' But we came out firing, got two quick tries."

Wales coach Warren Gatland was magnanimous in defeat.

"We've got to be gracious. Hats off to the Irish, well done," said the New Zealander who was also coach of Ireland between 1998-2001.

"They've won all their matches. They've learned along the way how to win games.

"I'm disappointed, but it was a really tough test match. The two best teams in the competition played today. It was a fantastic match of high quality and drama."

In a high-tempo, bad-tempered match in which there were three general dust-ups in the first frantic half-hour, defence was the early winner.

Ian Gough put in some huge hits for Wales and Ryan Jones seemed to relish being back in his preferred position of No 8 in the absence through injury of Andy Powell.

O'Gara, top scorer in Five and Six Nations history, had the chance to put Ireland ahead after just two minutes, but his penalty attempt drifted wide.

Ireland built up some steam and winger Luke Fitzgerald crossed the Welsh line in the corner shortly after only for English referee Wayne Barnes to call him back for a forward pass from O'Driscoll.

Wales, with full-back Lee Byrne reasserting his British Lions credentials with an astute display until he went off with an ankle injury before half-time, battled back, Ryan Jones and centre Tom Shanklin to the fore.

Ireland prop Marcus Horan then saved what could have been a decisive break by Mathew Rees, ripping the ball from the Welsh hooker's hands with three backs lined up outside him in the 22m area.

All was not over, however, replacement Ireland hooker Rory Best straying offside and handing Jones a last-minute penalty attempt which fell short of the posts.





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