Prendergast on song as Ireland master Wales
SAM Prendergast inspired Ireland to a dominant bonus point victory over Wales to get their Grand Slam defence off to the perfect start.
Man of the match Ireland No.8 Brian Gleeson said: “It was a tough game, coming to Wales it didn’t always go our way. It was a real dogfight but a good start with plenty to build on.”
Wales made an outstanding start to proceedings, carrying the ball up to the Irish try-line on more than one occasion, but they failed to capitalise as Richie Murphy’s side grew into the game.
And the hosts were made to pay when Prendergast kicked a penalty into the Wales 22.
The visitors retained possession and made it up to Wales’ try-line for the first time thanks to some neat hands from Gus McCarthy, Diarmuid Mangan and O’Tighearnaigh.
After a few carries from close range the pressure told, and Conor O’Tighearnaigh went over for the game’s opening score.
However, Wales struck back immediately, crossing the whitewash through Louie Hennessey after some brilliant footwork from the breathtaking Cameron Winnett.
Byron Hayward’s side took the lead for the first time after a successful penalty from fly-half Dan Edwards, and they were not finished.
Within minutes they were back up to the edge of Ireland’s 22, and two sublime offloads from Hennessey and Winnett gave Edwards the time and space to pick out a perfect pass to Llien Morgan, who went over in the corner.
Edwards’ conversion shaved the edge of the upright, meaning only eight points separated the two sides. And Ireland would not lie down, scoring their second after a carry from close range by Paddy McCarthy.
Prendergast made the conversion look easy, and the deficit was down to one point at the break.
The second half started scrappily, with Ireland the first to threaten.
Cooney appeared to have crossed the whitewash despite a high tackle from Edwards.
However, there was no clear angle of the ball being grounded, and the presence of a second tackler meant a penalty try was not awarded.
The Wales fly-half was shown a yellow card for a high tackle before play resumed.
Ireland pushed to capitalise on the advantage, but after several carries from close range, the ball was deemed to have been held up. And despite being a player down, Wales showed their class to score again as Sam Scarfe crossed the whitewash for a deserved try after a rugged performance across the park.
The conversion was missed, and Wales were made to pay within 90 seconds when James Nicholson was found by a looping pass from Prendergast, with the fullback evading two tackles to go over in the corner.
Prendergast kicked a crucial conversion to give Ireland the lead before extending their advantage to four points with a penalty shortly after.
Nicholson then scored a quick fire brace to extend Ireland’s lead further. He then kicked another penalty with eight minutes remaining to give Ireland a 37-20 lead with the clock ticking.
Morgan went over in the corner to secure the bonus point for Wales, but Cooney crossed for Ireland in the last play of the game.
Wales captain Ryan Woodman said: “We are gutted. First half we were probably the better team but at the end of the day accuracy… we just need to take our chances when they come.
“We lost control of the game second half. Their tails came up and our heads probably dropped a little bit, so we need to work on that for the next game.
“First half the boys were really good. The forwards fronted up and the backs were class like we expected, but we need to take opportunities when they come.”