Ireland were given an almighty scare in Cardiff as they had to dig deep to come out with the 27-18 victory to secure the Triple Crown.
With much of the pre-match ramble about how much Ireland would win by, it looked like Irish fans were right to be confident when Jack Conan, who was in for an injured Caelan Doris, scored a try in the opening 10 minutes. However a galvanised Wales side put in probably their best performance in 18 months as they showed glimpses of breaking Ireland down.
Then the turning point came when Garry Ringrose was given a 20-minute red card for high shot on Wales' Ben Thomas. The ban straddled either side of halftime and in that time Wales scored two tries through talisman Jac Morgan and winger Tom Rogers. a Sam Prendergast penalty kept Ireland within one score as Bundee Aki came on to restore parity following 20-minutes of playing a man down.
It made an immediate effect as Ireland gathered momentum back again and were camped in Wales' 22 before Jamie Osborne was on the end of a James Lowe slap down after a near pinpoint crossfield kick from Jamison Gibson-Park. That made scores level but three Prendergast penalties, including one from the halfway line, gave Ireland a gutsy win and with it the Triple Crown.
22 February 2025; Ireland captains Dan Sheehan, right, and Caelan Doris lift the Triple Crown trophy alongside team-mates after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
James Lowe Has Cheeky Dig At Welsh Fullback After Pivotal Try
James Lowe has been in scintillating form so far this Six Nations. He's put in three performances all arguably good enough for three player of the matches awards and he was instrumental in Ireland's win today. He got the crucial touch on Gibson-Park's crossflied kick to set up Osborne's try and his canon of a left leg got Ireland out of their half on numerous occasions. Speaking on Virgin Media after the match he gave Wales a much deserved kudos, especially after the turbulent start they had to this year's tournament.
It's such a tough amphitheatre of sport to come to, we knew how tough this was going to be, we had to ride a bit of a purple patch when they got on top and we went down to 14 men for 20 minutes and fair play, we know there's been a lot of talk in the media, but there's one thing we know about the Welsh, they tackle hard, play hard and man, they're some team. Fair play to their young wingers, they were very good as well.
Lowe was in good humour after the win and joked about his role in Osborne's try and his big advantage during it while also mentioning the expected hostile reception he got from the Welsh faithful.
I knew I was probably going to go out; I heard Jamie on the inside and I had the height on Blair Murray, I think most people in world rugby do! I just went up, slapped it back and Jamie was there.
I was getting abused on the sideline. But no look, I'm very happy with how my rugby is going at the moment. I think I've put together three good performances but look, we know we're only halfway there and as a team we do need to get better. Wales took it to us and fair play, I know for them they've been through a lot of late but they should be proud, it took us 80 minutes to breakdown.
One of Ireland's key men yet again this afternoon.
Great to chat to James Lowe live from Cardiff.#WALvIRE | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/EM4moAonb0
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 22, 2025
If Ireland are to go the distance this year and get a Grand Slam a lot of credit for it would have to go to Lowe. He may be a player that opponents hate but he's very much a player Ireland and its fans love.
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