Ireland leave flourish too late after Botham’s double strike
JAMES Botham’s double inspired Wales to victory in Donnybrook but they had to hold on at the end in an 11-try thriller.
Tommy Rogers, Max Williams and Botham all went over in the first quarter of the game to open up a 19-3 lead for Wales.
Angus Curtis’ try gave Ireland a foothold but Tommy Reffell’s fine score and Botham’s second soon after half time looked to have put Wales clear.
But a try-double from No.8 Jack O’Sullivan got Ireland back to 31-24 and after Callum Carson and Johnny Stewart exchanged tries it remained in the balance. Cai Evans slotted a penalty to stretch Wales’ lead to 10 points before Tommy O’Brien scorched through the middle to ensure a thrilling finish.
Wales head coach Jason Strange said: “Talk about emotional experience and rollercoasters. The extremes were unbelievable tonight but overall some of the rugby played by both sides was fantastic.
“We have got lots of work to do on bits of our game but credit to our players, I thought it was excellent.”
Both sides came into the clash with one loss and one win from the first two rounds, but Wales had downed Ireland last year in a high-scoring affair.
And it was the visitors who came storming out of the gate, wing Rogers the try scorer after a superb break and offload from No.8 Taine Basham.
Wales were rampant, clinically punishing Irish errors and their second try arrived on eight minutes, lock Williams forcing his way over from close range.
Harry Byrne slotted a penalty to get Ireland on the board but Wales soon had their third try from Botham.
Curtis went over to reduce arrears but Irish momentum was halted when flanker Reffell burst clear and Evans converted for a 16-point lead.
Wales were cruising after Botham’s second but two quickfire scores from O’Sullivan, the first a galloping long-range effort and the second a predatory close-range one, turned the game on its head.
But Carson’s try stretched the lead to 38-24 and Wales held on despite the late Ireland tries from Stewart and O’Brien.