2023 SIX RETURN Irish too fast out
WALES coachwarren Gatland knows the task facing him after this bonus-point defeat in the Six Nations opener. The New Zealander’s return had been billed as the second coming forwelsh rugby but for the first 40 minutes Gatland must have been wondering why he had returned.
He went with a side full of players he had won Grand Slams with in his previous tenure as coach and must have been regretting his selection at half-time.
Wales did stem the tide in the second half but a side boasting more than 900 caps were second best for most of this contest at the Principality Stadium.
Ireland were 27-3 ahead at half-time and scored a point a minute in the first 20, with tries by Caelen Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe, and goals from the imperious Johnny Sexton.
Gatland (below) admittedwales’ indiscipline cost them in a blistering opening quarter by Ireland. “The slow start was brought on ourselves by the fact we conceded some penalties and that gave them momentum to get in our 22,” he said.
“We are 14 points down and under the pump, and the penalty count in that first period was 7-1. They put us under quite a bit of pressure.
“I thought the second half was a huge improvement.we spoke about line speed, coming at them harder and getting our discipline right.we did create chances but we weren’t clinical enough.
“I took a lot of positives out of that performance and we could have scored a couple more tries.
“If we had scored at 27-10 it would have been interesting. But they are the best side in the world and they showed that against us.”
Gatland confirmed lock Alun Wyn Jones, who failed his Head Injury Assessment, will miss the Scotland game on Saturday and prop Tomas Francis is struggling.
The hosts were caught cold and on the back foot for most of the first 40 minutes, conceding 24 points without firing a shot.
Ireland were ahead from the second minute, when Leinster No.8 Doris crashed over from shortrange and Sexton converted
Lock Ryan finished an almost copycat move, shattering the brittle Welsh defence.
Sexton converted to make it
14-0 after 10 minutes.
Dan Biggar landed a penalty for Wales but then saw his pass intercepted by wing Lowe, who raced 60 metres to stretch the visitors’ lead further.
Fly-half Sexton converted and landed two late penalties to make it 27-3 at half-time andwales looked shell-shocked.
They came out fighting in the second half, working a nice overlap which saw full-back Liam Williams crash over near the posts. Biggar landed the conversion to make it 27-10.
Williams was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Sexton midway through the second half andwales were down to 14 men for 10 minutes.
Ireland took full advantage of the extra man when flanker Josh van der Flier scored his side’s fourth try to secure their bonus point. Ross Byrne added the conversion to give Ireland a 24-point lead they would never surrender.