Stockdale believes Ireland are ‘back on track’ after ruining coach’s home finale
may have been a tentative step rather than a stride in the right direction, but Ireland have at least reminded themselves of their all-conquering 2018.
That was the view of resurgent wing Jacob Stockdale, who scored two of the visitors’ three tries as Wales eventually went down 22-17 in the final home game of Warren Gatland’s 12-year tenure.
Gatland had mischievously suggested that his team could “derail” Ireland’s Rugby World Cup preparations by picking at the scars that England inflicted with a 57-15 thrashing seven days previously.
However, a much-changed Wales were overpowered for the first hour, conceding a 22-3 lead, and crippled throughout by a crumbling scrum. Although replacement fly-half Rhys Patchell stirred a steely comeback, Ireland held on.
“It was definitely a case that we let ourselves down as much as anything last week,” Stockdale said. “We let an awful lot of other people down. We just wanted to make sure that we changed that. It didn’t all go right out there, but I thought we came out for the first half and played really well.
“There was a good energy, a good bounce about us that we haven’t seen for a while. We’re definitely back on the right track.”
Significantly, Joe Schmidt had reinstated James Ryan to the starting line-up. Aided by strong outings from loosehead prop David Kilcoyne and stand-in captain Peter O’mahony, shifted to openside flanker, the 23-year-old lock excelled at the Principality Stadium.
A series of dominant tackles ensured that Ireland were not bullied for the second weekend in succession. If fly-half Johnny Sexton, poised to feature next weekend against the same opponents, is Schmidt’s chief strategist, Ryan is his dynamic enforcer – a pivotal figure despite his tender years.
Stockdale’s display would have been encouraging, too. The prolific Ulster wing, who endured a tough afternoon at Twickenham, supported Andrew Conway’s break to bag a 15th Test try and made it 16 in
21 caps after hacking through an errant offload from Aaron Shingler and gathering ahead of Hallam Amos.
While an impish kick-pass from Jarrod Evans lobbed him and found Wales debutant Owen Lane, Stockdale delivered a sturdier defensive effort that included a breakdown turnover.
“You feed off players around you,” added Stockdale, withdrawn by Schmidt at half-time. “You try and make the players around you feel good and they try and do the same and the best way to do that is have energy.”
Referee Romain Poite lost patience with Wales’ scrum, yellowcarding prop Leon Brown in the 52nd minute and awarding Ireland a penalty try soon afterwards.
That would be a belated cue for Wales to rouse themselves. Patchell, having replaced Jarrod Evans at the break, promptly played his way into Gatland’s Rugby World Cup squad. He swung wide, crisp passes that stretched Ireland. Another bench man, burly Jake Ball, impressed with more muscular contributions.
Lane slalomed over out wide to mark his maiden cap with a try and Patchell darted inside Garry Ringrose to score late on. Ireland finished slightly flat, yet survived.
Schmidt is expected to inform World Rugby of his 31-man party for Japan today, announcing it publicly next Monday following another encounter with Wales. On Saturday evening, he labelled the process of culling Ireland’s wider squad as “horrible”.