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Ireland v Wales: Six Nations 2020 – live! – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

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Ireland v Wales: Six Nations 2020 – live! – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

ITV pundit Gareth Thomas analyzes the Wales try, and their off-loading game in that first half: “It’s been very brave, it [the try] was the first attack Wales really had. Dan Biggar and Tomos Williams have not given up the chase … they know if Alun Wyn can get his nose through, there is a chance. It’s great to run an inside line. They’ve showed a few times they’re looking for the inside of Jonny Sexton, they think there is a weakness there. ”

Updated at . am EST

A really entertaining, high-tempo half of rugby with three tries. There is a bit of light scuffling among the forwards after the whistle goes – a demonstration of how keenly this match is being contested. Ireland have been good, they began brightly and showed a willingness to run the ball at every opportunity, right from the first minute. Their running lines have been unpredictable and the Welsh defenders have often been working overtime.

Wales have been typically streetwise in defense with two notable exceptions – the weak tackle attempted by Tompkins that allowed Larmour in for the first try of the match, and the fumble and knock-on by Tomos Williams which led directly to Ireland’s second try. Wales scored a fine try of their own too, which was created by a sensational off-load in contact by captain Alun Wyn Jones. All to play for.

Updated

at 27. (am EST)

. am (EST) :

min: Biggar and Larmour exchange long kicks as we move into the final minute. Wales have a line-out in their own half after a good punt by Larmour for touch.

Updated at

. am EST

9). EST :

min:

Can Wales get back on terms before the break? You would have to say that Ireland deserve their lead on the balance of play so far. The Irish have a defensive scrum now.

(9.) (AM) (EST) :

min:

A break in play, and time for a couple of replays of that fine finish by Larmour, which was all about a fine step off his right foot. For Tompkins it was a harsh lesson in Test rugby, especially considering his star turn last week. Ireland’s attacking systems look excellent, and the work Farrell has been doing with his attack coach Mike Catt is plain to see.

Updated (at 9.) am EST

min:

min: Ireland captain Jonny Sexton is in debate with referee Romain Poite about a bit of work from Faletau as Wales struggle to deal with a driving line-out by Ireland. Poite says Faletau was entitled to fight for the ball from the position he was in. “He can’t just flop over it,” argues Sexton but Poite is having none of it. Wales have the scrum, albeit on their own line.

Updated (at 9.) (am EST (9.) (am EST) : 48

(min: Now Ireland work through some attacking phases. Aki makes a burst in midfield, it’s worked right and then left, there is a dangerous burst again into that Irish left wing, and the hosts win a penalty which they kick for the corner, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Updated (at 9.) (am EST

(9.) (AM) (EST) :

min: Wales get their first attacking line-out right, and try a couple of times to bash straight through the middle. But now it’s Ireland’s turn to pull off a turnover, and it’s Bundee Aki who shows impressive presence of mind to rip the ball from Welsh hands, relieving pressure for his team. We’ve had ‘nil points’ so far, but both teams are having a go.

Updated (at 9.) am EST

9. (am) EST :

(min:) Wales try to run it down their left from a scrum and win a penalty advantage, with hands on the ball for winger Josh Adams for the first time. They then spin it back to the right, Parkes makes a sketchy loose pass looking for numbers in space, but it doesn’t come off and Poite, the referee, brings it back for the penalty which Wales kick for touch. Ken Owens will have the throw.

:

9 min:

Ireland have made all the running so far, in attacking terms, but Wales’s defensive wiliness is coming to the fore, too. Tipuric and Faletau combine impressively for another turnover in midfield. It’s 0-0 and Ireland will be extremely keen to turn pressure into points.

7 min: Wales haven ‘ t had a sniff in attack so far. Full-back Leigh Halfpenny puts up a trademark high kick, trying to create something from nothing, and chases it into the Irish half but he can’t make the catch.

Updated (at 9.) am EST

9. 36 am EST :

5 min:

Henshaw has been a handful in the centers so far for Ireland. He busts through a tackle and Ireland have a good attacking position deep in Wales territory – again on the left – but Wyn Jones, the Wales No 1, does superbly to compete for the ball and turns it over.

Updated at 9. 37 am EST

In that piece

with Wales prop Dillon Lewis I posted earlier, he says this:

“You cannot be expansive without putting in the hard work first.”

How many different ways can rugby players find to say that same thing about ‘earning the right to go wide’?

But it’s true, of course. Width will need to be earned today. It will not come cheap.

(9.) (am) (EST) :

Kick-off is five minutes away. “Land of My Fathers” – tick. Now it’s Ireland’s turn to sing.

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against France in Pau last weekend. Ahead of their second-round meeting against Scotland, William Pickworth spoke to England prop Vickii Cornborough:

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(8.) (am) EST

:

Don’t forget – you can contact me on (email or on

, while Wales thrashed Italy – 0 in Cardiff

.

Ireland under new head coach Andy Farrell are still finding their feet – hoping to emerge from that downbeat conclusion to Joe Schmidt’s successful tenure. Farrell observed in midweek that he thought his players had been ‘too creative’ in their opening victory against Scotland – which does not fill you with hope that his team will be looking to entertain today – although it was Farrell’s way of saying that their decision -making had not been up to scratch.

Pivac’s Wales arrive in Dublin hoping for a record-equalling ninth consecutive victory in the competition. That demolition of Italy came against a relatively accommodating defense, but Pivac’s new emphasis on attack allied to the defensive solidity established under Warren Gatland was clear to see. As

: “Wales are not looking to trade in a trusty model that does not break down but inject the engine with a turbo . ”One of Farrell and Pivac will almost certainly taste defeat for the first time in their new jobs in a few hours.

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar predicted this will be ‘one for the purists’ if Storm Ciara hits the Irish capital in time for this afternoon’s match. Didn’t he mean ‘not one for the purists’? Regardless, the weather is going to play a part. Let’s hope for some exciting rugby. Teams and much more coming up very shortly.

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