Joe Schmidt’s men disposed of the reigning champions with ease to announce themselves as genuine contenders
Considering Ireland’s waved goodbye to Brian O’Driscoll (twice), claimed a Six Nations trophy and achieved victories over Australia and South Africa, my pick for most enjoyable game of the year is way left of centre.
Joe Schmidt was two-from-two, early into his tenure, and welcomed Six Nations champions Wales to Dublin. Warren Gatland’s men had been stretched by Italy in their opener but had picked up a win and were in confident form ahead of the match. Rhys Priestland said he expected ‘the kitchen sink’ from Ireland.
The hosts delivered the sink whilst raining down aerial bombs all afternoon and, whenever they got the ball close to the deck, mauled Wales to death. Andrew Trimble, Dave Kearney and his brother, Rob, were either plucking Garryowens or disrupting the likes of Leigh Halfpenny and George North. Scott Williams attempted to tackle Brian O’Driscoll out of existence but succeeded only in dislocating his shoulder.
Possession and territory were virtually level throughout the first half but, with half an hour elapsed, Ireland led 6-0 and were making all the attacking thrusts. Jamie Heaslip harried Priestland into a forced clearance and Ireland had a 5m line-out. As would become the norm in 2014, Rory Best found Devin Toner and a back row clutched on as decoys were sold and a maul heaved over for a fine try.
Wales finally got on the scoreboard after 55 minutes but Ireland responded almost immediately through a Johnny Sexton penalty. Gatland sent on reinforcements but they had no answers to the green waves that sapped them of all life.
There was still time for Ireland to score the extra try their dominance deserved. Another rolling maul was the play but, seeing red jerseys sucked in to halt the Irish sure, Conor Murray extricated the ball and found Paddy Jackson in support. Liam Williams doffed the young out-half with a stray elbow and it all kicked off. Rob Kearney and Mike Phillips squared off but the Irish fullback was smiling all the time. It was good to finally have one over on the cocksure scrum-half.
Ireland had five clean breaks, beat 16 Welshmen with ball in hand, won 75 of 77 rucks and nine mauls from nine. Speaking post-match, Gatland confessed, ‘We were well beaten by a better team today. No excuses.’
Better days would lie in store – we were far better than France that the tight Stade de France scoreline suggested and the Australian game was scintillating – but for pure enjoyment, Ireland 23-6 Wales tops my list.
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