Tops
Ireland's suffocating pressure
Annoyed, these Irish. Rightly criticized after their failed inaugural match against Scotland, Jonathan Sexton's teammates started this match up like cuckoos and poured their frustration on the Welsh: an occupation of the ground which goes up to 66%, and a possession to 58%. Completely stifled, the defending champions suffered for a half time the incessant waves of the methodical game of XV of the Clover, resisting as best they could with two tests cashed by Larmour (18th) and Furlong (31st).
Imperial Sexton, when he plays in an armchair
Criticized for his last outings with the club clover jersey, Jonathan Sexton responded in the best possible way. He knew how to distribute the game as he has done for over a decade, and put great pressure by abusing the game with the pressure foot to confine Alun Wyn Jones' teammates in their 22 meters. Taking advantage of a dominant pack, it was brilliant before easing off in the second half.
The Welsh have shown great discipline
It is essential to say that a team penalized more than eight times on the international scene has no chance of winning. This saying turned out to be false this afternoon in Dublin, since it was the Welsh who were the least taken up by the referee of the meeting, Romain Poite. With only six whistles against them, they showed an impressive rigor and which allowed them not to give too much magnitude to the score. Conversely, the Irish were penalized ten times.
flops
Tompkins, a first to forget
Hard, hard ... First tenure for Nicholas Tompkins. The young center (24 years old) was established for the first time in his career. And it will not have succeeded in making forget the usual holder, Jonathan Davies, injured. He is at fault on Jordan Larmour's first try, missing his tackle while his team showing good water resistance (18th). He never managed to create a ball in hand danger, lacking the power to win the advantage line.
The high level does not forgive: Tomos Williams paid the price
The international level is unforgiving. The Welsh scrum half, which nevertheless links the services of very high level, made a mistake quickly punished by the men of Andy Farrell. On a touch five meters from his goal, captain Alun Wyn Jones catches the ball and cleanly serves his scrum half. But, inexplicably, Tomos Williams drops the ball and commits a forward. After the scrum, and some playing time that followed, Furlong entered the Welsh in-goal and widened the score (31st).
8 minutes before the break, the Irish are 5 points ahead of Wales! 12 - 7 # IREvWAL # 6Nations
Follow the meeting live ▶ https://t.co/V5PWuGtF7Jpic.twitter.com/CbAQqwUwqq
The lack of realism in the first period of the Irish
If Andy Farrell can be satisfied with the total domination of his men in the first period, he can highlight the lack of realism of his team. Such an offensive waste in the zone of truth could prove to be prohibitive during the trip to England, Sunday February 23 (4 p.m.).
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