WELL DONE WALES.

What a cracker of a game. Fair play to the Irish, massive effort, but our defence was unreal.

Player ratings

LEIGH HALFPENNY: Majestic in the air, with one stunning sliding mark, and had his moments when stretching his legs. Just one miss from the tee with his right boot ensuring Wales’ blistering start was rewarded. 8

GEORGE NORTH: Didn’t really get the opportunity to come off his wing on go on the run because there wasn’t too much sustained pressure after the opening salvo. Defensively sound, which was important against a finisher like Simon Zebo. 7

JONATHAN DAVIES: Marvellous hand-off and charge down the left wing encapsulated Wales’ excellent start. A stunning break got into Irish territory in the lead-up to Scott Williams’ try and was influential in the absence of Jamie Roberts in the last quarter until yellow card at the death. 7

JAMIE ROBERTS: The defensive captain can be pleased with the exploits in the face of the green wave and he played a key role when downing Tommy Bowe just short of the line. Forced off by injury and Scott Williams impressed off the bench. 8
LIAM WILLIAMS: Excellent in the air – again. Showed his usual lack of fear whether when claiming the high ball, on the run or in defence. Helped Roberts to bring down Bowe. 7

DAN BIGGAR: Another classy performance by the Ospreys fly-half, outperforming the off-colour Johnny Sexton. Put his body on the line and made 22 tackles – including one close to his own line while nursing an injured shoulder. Poor pass to Halfpenny on the Irish line a rare error. 8

RHYS WEBB: Played with bite and edged his personal duel with Conor Murray but some of his passing asked an awful lot of the players running on to the ball and at times he lacked control, albeit in a frantic game. 7

GETHIN JENKINS: To the fore in defence until forced off at half-time and his replacement Rob Evans did terrifically against experienced Irish opponents, scrummaging well and putting in some important carries. 7

SCOTT BALDWIN: A few eyebrows were raised when he was selected ahead of Richard Hibbard in Paris but he shone against France and was even better against the Irish. Superb energy, excellent line speed and solid at the set piece. 8

AARON JARVIS: Was called upon early after Samson Lee’s injury and wasn’t the most solid at the set piece but played his part in the defensive effort with 14 tackles. 7

LUKE CHARTERIS (STAR MAN): An incredible performance from the former Dragons captain. Would have been a man of the match contender for his tackle rate alone but was also the scourge of the Irish at the lineout, plundering the ball that led to Scott Williams’ try and disrupting the visitors as they chased a leveller at the death. 9

ALUN WYN JONES: Huge performance by the Ospreys lock, who looked like he was struggling with injury in the first half after being in the thick of an incredibly brutal Test. His efforts in defence nearly matched those of his second row partner and he carried hard until replaced by Jake Ball. 8

DAN LYDIATE: Was a key figure in preventing Sean O’Brien from building up a head of steam. His exploits with ball in hand didn’t match the marvellous assist in Paris but he made 11 carries and was to the fore in winding down the clock while Warburton was in the sin bin. 8

SAM WARBURTON: Led by example when captaining Wales for a record 34th time. Was sin-binned by Wayne Barnes but was brilliant at the breakdown, tackled and tackled and was also prominent at the lineout. 9

TAULUPE FALETAU: Edged his duel with Jamie Heaslip, who was not at his best after recovering from a back injury. Was influential early on and when steadying the ship after Ireland’s pressure approaching the hour. Another to the fore in defence. 8

Fuk off and take whatever minority sport this is with u!!

If they wasnt so boringly defensive wales would be challenging for triple crown! All they do is get ball then run straight at defender? We spend minutes going back and for the line gaining a couple feet and hoping for a penalty from opposition!

I don't mind rugby and watched the game but why the f**k is this thread up?

I don't mind rugby and watched the game but why the f**k is this thread up?

Comes under all views welcome and is of interest i suppose? One moan i got about yesterday is why oh why do they need 100 warblers belting out national anthem when got 70k fans to do it? All could hear was their baritone voices, what happened to 1st bar from band then crowd carries on, ridiculous really.

What happened and where? Darts was it??

This is a football forum.

That Wall of Red served up more commitment in 80 mins than City have all season. Well done Wales

No shortage of committment at Brentford yesterday.

The last time wales produced a defensive display like that was at rorkes drift. Titanic effort by the boys in red. Nice to ram that slaphead Keith woods prediction of an easy irish win down his throat. Couldn't have asked for a better weekend with both wales and Cardiff doing us proud

Awesome result, and a great day in my local. Great win for us as well, and a line up on the football, a perfect Saturday.

Couldn't care less about the rugby if I'm honest, win or lose it makes no difference to me

Thought the International break wasn't for another 2 weeks

the usual anti-egg comments on here, but for all that both my sides did us proud on Saturday - men to the last.

Yer great win for our country and now lets hope we can get the Championship although I know that other country england must be favourites to get it . COME ON WALES DO IT FOR THE WELSH

Great effort from the Welsh team plenty of skill as well as blood and guts!!

Thought the International break wasn't for another 2 weeks

Same here

Thought the International break wasn't for another 2 weeks

Same here

It is in a fortnight. Wales haven't played since the Belgium game.

Thought the International break wasn't for another 2 weeks

Same here

It is in a fortnight. Wales haven't played since the Belgium game.

Well done