Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted he had no excuses after watching Ireland maul the two-time defending Six Nations champions at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
The visitors suffered their worst tournament defeat since 2006 and took 56 minutes to score, with only Leigh Halfpenny’s saving them from a humiliating whitewash in a comprehensive 26-3 loss.
Defeat dealt a huge, but not fatal, blow to Wales’ hopes of becoming the first side to win three successive outright Six Nations titles.
Ireland’s tactics “surprised” Gatland, the New Zealand-born coach said, but ill discipline and a lack of effectiveness at the breakdown also cost Wales dearly.
“We were well beaten by a better team today, there’s no excuses, it was a very disappointing display from us,” said Gatland, a former Ireland coach. “We have to show some character to bounce back for the next game against France.”
Gatland had dominated much of the build-up to the game, following his decision to drop Brian O’Driscoll in the final British and Irish Lions test last year but, as expected, that had little or no impact on the on-field action.
Instead, it was Joe Schmidt’s tactics — based on predictions of bad weather that ultimately did not arrive — that was the key talking point post-match.
“They possibly surprised us and it was effective,” Gatland said, alluding to the Ireland coach’s usual fondness for open, attacking play.
“I can’t remember any occasion when they moved the ball through the backline to open us up. They kicked the leather off it, there was a lot of one-pass rugby out there, but they also dominated up front, so we have to take that on the chin,” the Scotland boos said.
Sexton punished Wales’ indiscipline in the opening 20 minutes, kicking two penalties and then causing mayhem in defense with one of many tactical kicks deep into Welsh territory.
Chris Henry’s first Irish try arrived following a planned lineout maul and Sexton’s penalties kept the scoreboard ticking over until Paddy Jackson added a second try in the dying minutes.
All eyes now turn to Twickenham, where Ireland take on England in two weeks
England coach Stuart Lancaster warned that England need to improve when they face Ireland on Feb. 22, even after watching his side revive their championship title hopes with a dominant 20-0 Calcutta Cup win away to Scotland on Saturday.
The 132nd edition of rugby union’s oldest international fixture was also one of the most lopsided, with a desperately dire Scotland failing to score a point against England for the first time since 1978.
Yet although England scored tries in Edinburgh through center Luther Burrell and full-back Mike Brown, they also botched a few potential scores in a second half where they managed just seven points.
England outside-half Owen Farrell also missed three penalties on an awkward day for goal-kickers, with Murrayfield’s already parasite-infested pitch made worse by driving rain.
“We were pleased with a lot of aspects, but are frustrated that we didn’t convert more of our opportunities because we dominated the second half,” Lancaster said.
Burrell’s try was his second in as many Tests after his debut effort in England’s 26-24 loss away to France in Paris and Lancaster was pleased by his evolving midfield partnership with Billy Twelvetrees.
However, England’s resounding win at the Calcutta Cup match was marred by tragedy after a fan died on Saturday after falling ill at Murrayfield, Scottish authorities said.
The 60-year-old man was watching the game in Edinburgh with friends when he collapsed about 15 minutes into the match.
The man was treated by paramedics and taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where he passed away a short time later.
“Inquiries are still ongoing but it is believed there are no suspicious circumstances,” Police Scotland said in a statement.
“We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of a supporter who attended today’s Calcutta Cup match,” Scottish Rugby Union president Donald MacLeod said. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the gentleman’s family and friends and we are standing by to support in any way we can.”
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was