IT’S TRUE NORTH
George is two-try hero to sink Irish
GEORGE NORTH finally burst into life in the RBS Six Nations last night as he scored twice to sink Ireland — and left England one win away from retaining the title.
The winger, heavily criticised for his defence in the defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield, roared back like a freight train to salvage some Welsh pride.
The full-time celebrations were more relief over rapture, however, with bodies battered by collisions akin to last week’s heavyweight slug-fest between Tony Bellew and David Haye
‘George is a world-class player,’ said Wales coach Rob Howley. ‘We all have bad games and George was the first one to put his hand up after Scotland and say: “Look, I needed to do better”.’
The victory also keeps Howley’s CV in the WRU’s in-tray as a candidate to replace Warren Gatland in 2019.
Howley is the heir apparent but his stock had fallen following defeats by England and Vern Cotter’s side last month.
Following unconvincing victories during the autumn series, he was cruelly mocked. Had Wales lost, Howley would have been the butt of more jokes. After last night, the worst he can expect is to be caricatured as a black-tie butler serving a trophy to Eddie Jones on a silver tray if his England side can beat a resurgent Scotland today.
At times here last night in the first half, it was as if 30 local doormen had been pulled in from their Friday-night shift to take chunks out of each other. The sell-out crowd winced with every blow.
CJ Stander carried like a man possessed, while North ran back like a man possessed.
Ireland’s line speed was rapid and their defenders predicted the flight of the ball to pick off a couple of interceptions.
Intoxicated under the Friday night lights, supporters flooded through the overcrowded train stations like cattle. Cardiff has hosted six of the last seven ‘antifan’ Tests and Irish supporters forked out up to £350 for hotels due to TV-dictated scheduling.
The visitors drew first blood. Jack McGrath ripped the ball from Alun Wyn Jones and Johnny Sexton consistently targeted North under the high ball. After six minutes, the Irish No 10 kicked his first penalty.
In front of a watching Gatland, Rory Best blotted his Lions copybook with a badly thrown five-metre line-out and Wales hit back with a clinical counterpunch.
With Sexton off the field for a head injury assessment, Wales secured clean line-out ball and launched their attack. Scott Williams broke the line to feed Rhys Webb, who combined with Leigh Halfpenny for North to score.
By naming an unchanged lineup following defeats by England and Scotland, Howley set himself up for more public criticism. Why are the selection panel afraid of blooding youth? Are they hoodwinked by success from several years ago?
Asked during the week about Wales losing nine of their last 14 Tests, Howley preferred to point out their victories in the Six Nations dating back to 2015. They have handed out three debuts since. France, England and Ireland have given 54 combined.
Howley’s decision was paying off at half-time, however, with Wales leading after Halfpenny and Paddy Jackson exchanged penalties.
Ireland failed to capitalise on their driving mauls and Conor Murray laboured through the first half with an arm injury.
With their influential No 9 struggling, Ireland were dealt another blow when Sexton was sin-binned after 38 minutes. Following a cross-field kick by Webb — who stole the show in his Lions duel with Murray — the fly-half killed the ball as Jonathan Davies tried to power over.
Wales continue to face a talent drain despite the WRU’s belated efforts to prevent it. Former CEO Roger Lewis has few friends in his old office. The impact? A trickle-down effect on the national team.
North has marched backwards since his head was turned by Northampton but the winger clenched both fists and let out a roar of relief when he scored his second try after 45 minutes.
Ireland hammered away at the Welsh line but had to settle for a penalty after 26 phases. And then Taulupe Faletau charged down a Sexton kick for Jamie Roberts to bundle over for the clinching try in the final minutes. WALES: Halfpenny 6; North 7.5, J Davies 6, S Williams 7.5 (Roberts 67), L Williams 7; Biggar 6 (S Davies 80), Webb 8 (G Davies 67); Evans 6 (Smith 67), Owens 6 (Baldwin 71), Francis 6 (Lee 69), Ball 7 (Charteris 62), AW Jones 7, Warburton 7, Moriarty 7 (Faletau 67), Tipuric 6. IRELAND: Kearney 6 (Bowe 80); Earls 6, Ringrose 5, Henshaw 6, Zebo 6; Sexton 6 (Jackson 80), Murray 5 (Marmion 46), McGrath 7 (Healy 59), Best 5 (Scannell 80), Furlong 7 (J Ryan 80), D Ryan 6.5, Toner 6 (Henderson 63), Stander 7.5 (O’Mahony 63), Heaslip 6, O’Brien 7. Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng) 6.