Six nations tournament: Ireland crushes Wales and marks spirits

Ireland largely dominated Wales (34-10), Saturday in Cardiff, for the opening match of the Six Nations, and is placed as the main competitor of the XV of France.

by Vincent Daheron

Ireland strikes a big starter. By winning largely in Wales (34-10), Saturday February 4, at the opening of the 2023 nations tournament, the XV of the clover confirmed its favorite status, which it shares with the French team. Opposed, Sunday, at Italy (4 p.m.), the Blues were warned before moving to Dublin, Saturday February 11.

At the Principality Stadium de Cardiff, Andy Farrell’s men have impressed as much as highlighted the deficiencies of the Welsh team, aging and already before in the 2022 edition.

The latter will certainly find hopes in its second period. Less porous in defense, more threatening offensively, like the test registered when the locker room returns by Liam Williams (27-10, 46 e ), the players of Warren Gatland left too much Far to hope to overthrow Ireland, world first nation.

Irish power

Because barely the echo of the “Land of My Fathers”, the Welsh Vibrant Hymn, he fell that already the Irish had scored their first points. We had been playing for only two minutes of play when Caelan Doris scored the first try of the match, imposing his power up close to put the Welsh defense on the heels (7-0, 3 ^{e ). The Irish advance in the opposing camp will have been the theme of the start of the match. James Ryan also marking in force to double the bet (14-0, 10 e ).}

Even when the leek XV tried to rebel, it was punished by Irish efficiency. The third trial signed James Low is the fruit of an interception on its twenty-two meter line to flatten eighty meters further (24-3, 22 ^{e ). Author of the fatal ball loss, Dan Biggar still tangled his brushes less than five meters from Irish in-goal (24 e} ) before the defense of visitors saved, on His line, another test attempt (37 e ). As a symbol of Welsh helplessness.

🤩 What an Interception from James Lowe
@Irishrugby #GuinnessixNations
#Walvire https://t.co/kfzqrnjx8d

– Sixnationsrugby (@guinness six nations)

Too imprecise and unruly, the Welshman never managed to get closer to the Irish. On the contrary, they even sold again, victims of their numerical inferiority following the yellow card of Liam Williams (66 ^{e ). The test of Josh van der Flier offering the offensive bonus to Ireland (34-10, 73rd), which takes the lead in the ranking with five points pending the first steps of England against Scotland, Saturday in End of the afternoon, and those of France in Italy, Sunday.}