Wales 6 Ireland 36
Warren Gatland's side eased the mounting pressure on their coach and themselves in what turned out to be a comprehensive win, but in reality, was a scrappy, bitty affair against Wales in Cardiff.
Man-of-the-match David Humphreys was a bright light amid some poor play from both sides as he recorded 19 points from his now infallible boot. It wasn’t just his kicking that shone. He was at the heart of anything good that came from Ireland, aided and abetted by the recalled flankers, Eric Miller and David Wallace.
Indeed, Gatland’s seemingly heavy-handed approach to selection last week was vindicated by the performances of all the returning players.
In fairness to the Irish, it was the Welsh who were more culpable of bringing the standard of rugby down as their ring-rustiness and injuries ensured knock-ons, missed tackles and a lack of continuity to their game.
Wales, whose only first half score came from a Stephen Jones penalty gifted Ireland and Humphreys with five penalties all within their 22 and with the Ulster out-half in irresistible form, those errors were on the verge of suicidal.
However, a 15-3 Irish lead at the break appeared to be letting the cumbersome Welsh off the hook a little. Shane Horgan had a gilt edged opportunity to use a three man overlap, but instead, decided to go for the line himself and was held up on 40 minutes. From the ensuing scrum, Foley picked and drove and when Galwey went over the try looked certain. But, for the second time within as many minutes the video ref was called for, and again the try was disallowed.
Welsh out-half Stephen Jones gave the home support a little to cheer when he kicked a penalty five minutes into the second period. For the next 20 minutes or so Wales enjoyed the bulk of possession but never really threatened the Irish line.
Then on 73 minutes came the breakthrough for Ireland. With players out of position on both sides, Denis Hickie found himself one-on-one with a flanker and he easily rounded him to score the first try of the game and thus, surely ending the Welsh challenge. That man Humphreys just simply knocked over the conversion.
The traveling Irish support had barely caught their collective breath when Brian O’Driscoll hacked through on a Welsh fumble and - unlike Scotland three weeks ago - the ball bounced kindly for the centre to score unopposed in the corner. Of course, Humphreys treated the touchline conversion like it was straight in front of the posts.
Shane Horgan rounded it all off when Kevin Maggs slipped him a delightful pass after some excellent Irish attacking play in the Welsh 22. Substitute Ronan O’Gara had the simple task of adding the two extra points.