North double inspires Wales
GEORGE North responded to criticism from his own coaches by scoring two tries for Wales in a 22-9 win over Ireland in the Six Nations yesterday, handing England the chance to clinch the title with a game to spare.
England, on a nationalrecord run of 17 straight victories, will retain the championship by beating Scotland at Twickenham today.
North, the strapping right winger, crossed in each half under the Principality Stadium roof at the end of a week when he was given a ‘‘warning’’ by the Welsh management for a poor defensive display in the recent loss to Scotland.
His second try, in the 44th minute when Ireland first-five Jonathan Sexton was in the sinbin, put Wales 15-6 ahead but the Irish dominated the final half hour as they sought to keep alive realistic hopes of winning the title.
A penalty from Sexton brought Ireland within a converted try but backs-to-thewall defence kept Wales ahead, and replacement Jamie Roberts collected his own charge-down to clinch victory with a 79thminute try.
Wales rebounded from two straight losses that led to soulsearching in the country’s national sport.
As for the Irish, they stayed in second place – three points behind England and a point ahead of Scotland.
Ireland conceded 10 points while Sexton was in the bin for killing the ball on his own tryline just before halftime. He also went off with his latest head injury midway through the first half, returning nine minutes later.
Wales were under pressure after a scoreless second-half display against Scotland two weeks ago, with North taking much of the flak – particularly from his own defence coach Shaun Edwards – for conceding a try on his wing at Murrayfield.
His response? To score one try from a typically rampaging carry, and another try with an easy run into the right corner.