ROME HUMILIATION SPURS ON IRELAND’S O’MAHONY
could drive an M4 tractor through. England’s defence remained solid and formidable as Wales responded with vigour. The speed of cover and power of their tackles was admirable, with Kyle Sinckler and Courtney Lawes outstanding.
The ferocious pace of play barely altered after the re-start, but now all the momentum and magic was with Wales as they battered forward in search of points.
Reward came with two penalties in the 51st and 57th minutes as England’s discipline dipped in the cauldron of thunder and sweat. Anscombe kicked them both to bring the scoreline to 9-10, and the match on a knife-edge.
A raucous atmosphere in the crowd was clearly affecting the England players. When they needed strong nerves and calm heads, they didn’t have quite enough of either.
Farrell had to impose the authority he had shown as captain in the opening two matches of the tournament. Instead, there were mistakes, kicking straight into touch to concede cheap possession.
The England skipper slotted home a penalty just after the hour but the force of the match had switched totally in favour of Wales, who had more ambition and certainly more control in their play.
Wales took the lead for the first time in the 67th minute with a magnificent try that came after several minutes and 34 phases of relentless surges. This was modern power rugby at its most ferocious. The reward was a touchdown in the corner for Cory Hill.
A conversion from replacement fly-half Dan Biggar put Wales 16-13 ahead. Victory was assured in the final moments with a second try. Biggar kicked to the corner and Josh Adams out-jumped Elliot Daly to seal the deal. Cue bedlam. PETER O’MAHONY has warned Ireland not to create any more Guinness Six Nations torment against Italy today to add to their haunting 2013 defeat in Rome.
Munster flanker O’Mahony admitted he still flinches at the spinetingling 22-15 loss to the Italians six years ago – that cost Declan Kidney his job.
Ireland finished fifth in that Six Nations, with O’Mahony winding up on the wing in a chastening first championship loss to the Azzurri. Fast forward six years and Ireland are ranked second in the world under Joe Schmidt’s exacting tutelage with O’Mahony standing in as skipper for the rested Rory Best for today’s Stadio Olimpico encounter.
Asked if the 2013 defeat remains a stark reminder of what can go wrong in Rome, O’Mahony replied: “Yes it is; I remember doing media after that game, I got a shiver down my spine.
“You just don’t like losing, it doesn’t matter whether it’s in Rome or at home. There’s big days out there when you win things, but it’s funny, the days you lose are the days that stand out at times.
“It shouldn’t be the way, but that’s how it is. We’ll be looking for a big performance.”
O’Mahony will win his 55th Ireland cap this weekend and will captain his country for the seventh time.
“It’s hugely special, an incredible honour, to captain Ireland,” said O’Mahony, 29.
“I’ve been lucky enough to captain the team a couple of times before when the other lads were out, but to get a chance to captain the team in the Six Nations, it’s an incredible competition. It’s not about personal milestones, but it’s special for me to be asked to lead the lads out.”