GREEN PARTY Irish in poll position after hosts elect to play with the shackles off
SIX NATIONS 2020
But there were big displays all over the pitch from Ireland as their rivals’ dream of emulating the team of 197073 that won nine championship games straight was ended. With the country going to the polls Despite running in four tries, the to choose a new Government, there most intense celebration from the was ballot box-ticking to be done hosts came 16 minutes from time yesterday. PEP GUARDIOLA has endured when, after sustained pressure
Meanwhile, at Lansdowne far too many Road, hard-luck from Wales, Ireland won a Andy Farrell’s stories men kept this their season old to boxkicking simply scrum penalty against the ways put to a it minimum down as – another romping one head of five metres from their home with a those bonus days. point victory to set own line. up a massive Manchester clash with England City had at more It felt like the matchwinning Twickenham shots, in a fortnight. more chances, more possession, moment and so it
Andy Farrell and his more players corners voted and proved yet as Andrew Conway to let the shackles ended up off imploding after the again lucky amid scored Ireland’s fourth try in the win over Scotland wasteful finishing in Dublin. and The another 75th minute – though, for the second result was VAR a much farce. more It was cohesive their sixth defeat week running, the men in green performance. of the season in what has were fortunate that an opponent
Ireland were become inspired an all to too victory familiar squandered a great try-scoring again by skipper story. Johnny Sexton – opportunity. Hadleigh Parkes was the while, after a City’s magnificent defence first of their half, title guilty party this time (inset). Robbie Henshaw has been was sloppy, unfortunate riddled to with So it is Ireland that remains in Triple go off with a head knock. Crown and Grand Slam contention.
Andrew Conway celebrates the bonus point fourth try with Ross Byrne and John Cooney
They played with ambition and, when they had to in the second half, they defended with massive intensity. Going wide twice in the opening minutes, Ireland let it be known they wouldn’t rely on the box-kicking game that had become a millstone around their necks. The hosts enjoyed a fair bit of dominance early on but couldn’t capitalise and it took an important Bundee Aki turnover on his own 22 to galvanise Ireland. It took them until the 17th minute to draw first blood. After patient build-up play, the dancing feet of full-back Jordan Larmour saw him out-fox four defenders to score. Sexton badly mis-kicked his conversion attempt. But the men in red struck back, despite their top try-scorer Josh Adams limping off in the 25th minute.