Wales held on for a 21-16 Six Nations victory against 14-man Ireland in Cardiff, with tries from George North and Louis Rees-Zammit seeing Wayne Pivac’s team home.
The visitors had to play for 66 minutes with depleted numbers after Peter O’Mahony was sent off for a needless shot to Tomas Francis’ head at a ruck.
Against the odds, Ireland went on to dominate for much of the game thereafter.
But a huge tackling display helped take Wales to victory.
MARK ORDERS dishes out the player ratings for the home players.
Leigh Halfpenny 6
Had been finding it hard to impose himself on the match but came up with a lovely pass to put Louis-Rees Zammit over for his try. Also fired over a pressure conversion. Steady without being spectacular.
Louis Rees-Zammit 7
Just turned 20, and celebrated his birthday with a wonderful finish — cool, calm and utterly deadly.
The youngster showed an appetite in defence, too.
He had a fine all-round game.
George North 8
Square peg in a round hole? That’s what some suggested of North’s selection in the centre rather than on the wing.
But the big man finished well in credit, taking his try superbly and featuring in the build-up to Louis Rees-Zammit’s try. Is it too much to suggest he could be mounting a challenge for a Lions place?
Johnny Williams 6
Sam Warburton had picked Williams out beforehand as a potential Lions’ bolter. The Scarlet didn’t last long, though, with injury striking after just 23 minutes.
Hallam Amos 5
Made little impression on the game.
Touched the ball just once before the break, and taken out with a high tackle when trying a run later.
A kick straight into touch off a turnover wasn’t his finest moment.
Dan Biggar 6
Was outshone by Sexton in the first 40 minutes, but pretty much any other No. 10 in the world would have been, such was the Irishman’s first-half excellence.
But Biggar stuck with it.
One tackle on Ringrose eased Welsh nerves.
It was the highlight of a solid defensive effort by the Wales fly-half.
Tomos Williams 6
He defended well in his time on the field, tackling with venom. He also looked lively in attack, but Ireland exerted huge game control from half-back in the opening 40 minutes. A hamstring injury cut short Williams’ involvement.
Wyn Jones 8
Stepped forward when Wales were under pressure to rip the ball clear of Josh van der Flier and send out a back-of-the-hand pass.
Dispossessed himself later, but the unsung Jones carried relentlessly, scrummaged strongly and defended stoutly before being replaced on 67 minutes.
Named as the official man of the match.
Ken Owens 6
The Welsh line-out misfired again, with four throws snaffled by the opposition. Owens put in a lot of good running and tackling, but he’ll be annoyed at how the line-out functioned.
Wales have to get their set-piece right.
Tomas Francis 7
Copped a hit to the head from Peter O’Mahony that resulted in the Irishman seeing a red card. The punishment was totally deserved.
Francis put the bump behind him to come up with a gargantuan defensive performance that saw the tight-head put in 19 tackles.
Adam Beard 7
His recall went under the radar.
But he picked off an Irish throw in a dangerous position and defended solidly.
Alun Wyn Jones 8
Jones sported a black eye after a training ground clash with Jake Ball.
It made not a jot of difference to his performance.
This was leadership from the front with strong carrying and unflinching work in defence, with 25 tackles.
If this is over the hill, let's have more of it.
The skipper was colossal.
Dan Lydiate 6
Stephen Ferris’ best buddy said he would do his talking on the pitch after the Irishman’s stinging pre-match critique of his game.
But the old warrior picked up a nasty bump to his knee and was forced off after just 13 minutes.
He’d made six tackles by then.
It just wasn’t to be, though.
Justin Tipuric 7
Had defended well until failing to hold Henshaw as the Irish centre charged through to set up his side’s first try. Atoned with a turnover and a wonderful try-saving hit in final seconds.
When they stopped counting, he’d made 29 tackles. Immense, then, aside from that one lapse.
Taulupe Faletau 7
Another who couldn’t stop Henshaw’s power run to set up the try for Tadhg Beirne.
But Faletau grafted selflessly throughout, finishing with 19 tackles and making 26 metres with ball in hand.
Replacements
Josh Navidi : On early for Lydiate and contributed well, with one flick off the floor easing danger and later came up with the back-of-the-hand pass that put North across. 7
Nick Tompkins: Involved in North’s try with a nice carry and key tackle shut door on Jordan Larmour late on. 7
Gareth Davies : Only he will know why he kicked the ball to Ireland in the final seconds. Otherwise steady. 6
Callum Sheedy : One lovely kick to touch eased him into game. 6
Rhodri Jones: Notable defensive shift. 7
Leon Brown : Tackled well. 6
Will Rowlands: Assured line-out take in closing minutes. 7
