Some sensible play was the key to victory

IRISH rugby desperately needed a performance like this. Well done to the players and management for so successfully picking themselves up off the floor after the trauma of Paris. Some critics will say that Wales performed poorly, and they did, but they were, nevertheless, many encouraging aspects from the Irish viewpoint.

The most important was the sensible manner in which they played, and, while we did not produce any great passing movements, four tries represents a decent haul any day.

The opening minutes were a bit worrying as Wales settled more quickly, but they failed to capitalise on a couple of good lineout opportunities near the Irish line. Their centre, Leigh Davies, cost them a probable try when turning back into the defence after the Irish midfield was opened.

Ireland survived, however, and Simon Geoghegan's try lifted them to even greater effort. When Wales, through Ieuan Evans, scored his first try after the midfield was opened too easily alarm bells began to ring. Wales were, after all, playing into a rather strong breeze. But after that little went right for them, until Evans' second try, against the run of play, brought them back into the game.

In between those scores Ireland were very much on top and used the ball wisely. They also punished any Welsh errors, none more so than when Niall Woods fielded a poor clearance by Arwell Thomas and turned it into an unlikely try.

There was still a lot to be done after half time, as the Irish lead wasn't huge considering the breeze. They stuck to their task and, apart from a brief period after Wales reduced the margin to one point, until Gabriel Fulcher scored, we always looked likely winners. David Corkery's try put the icing on the cake.

The pack performed much better and Denis McBride's contribution was immense. He was responsible for the huge improvement at the break down and kept the Welsh half backs under constant pressure. His leadership was also obvious. The back row as a unit looks much more balanced in this format. Victor Costello continues to improve and his strength in ensuring that the ball came back on the Irish side even when tackled by several waiting Welsh defenders was terrific.

David Corkery gave another 80 minutes of action and looks more comfortable on the blind side. Fulcher was the outstanding second row on the pitch and not only for his lineout play. His try was a well-deserved reward. Allen Clarke's throwing looked accurate. Maybe it is time to change the name of this position from hooker to thrower, because in the modern game accurate throwing is far more important than quick hooking.

Our scrum was comfortable enough on our own ball, and while the pack may feel that they should have been awarded a penalty try in both halves it would be harsh to blame the referee for refusing as we never really got a sufficiently cohesive drive to justify such an award.

Simon Mason had a satisfactory debut and displayed plenty of confidence. Geoghegan took his try well, but apart from that he had a huge impact on the whole team with his enthusiasm and aggression. It would be nice to see himself and Woods get more attacking opportunities. Maurice Field is an honest player who has never played badly for Ireland. He does a huge amount of work for his fellow players.

Jonathan Bell is not as mobile as a centre needs to be, but at 15st 7lb that is not surprising. David Humphreys was outstanding in everything he did. What a pity he was hand-tripped when breaking from defence early in the second half. It could have been something really spectacular.

Niall Hogan did a fine job as captain. His passing was far better, more accurate and composed than in the French game. He was also working behind a far better platform. His willingness to take on the opposition has always been evident and while, sometimes, in the past he has been guilty of over-doing it on Saturday he mixed his game well.

We always seem to get selection right towards the end of the season and it looks like it is happening again.

There will be deep depression in the valleys of Wales. After performing well as underdogs against England and Scotland they were confident of victory in Dublin. That may have been their weakness. They looked like a side who expected things to happen. While they won their own lineouts more comfortably as the game wore on, they never really got a grip on the game. They were not helped by a most indifferent display by Arwel Thomas who seems to be suffering from the burden of great expectations.

In the loose their pack was totally outplayed by their hungrier opponents. Some Welsh supporters told me after the game that they attribute the decline in the national side to the fact that rugby is no longer an integral part of the schools curriculum to the extent that it used to be. We should ensure that the same doesn't happen here.

As I said above, it was the manner in which Ireland played that I found most satisfactory. It was sensible, direct and effective. Of course there are areas in which we can improve. There always are. The back line in particular will want to add a more expansive dimension to their repertoire. But to do any of these things we must first get our basics right. On Saturday we went a long way towards that.

The foundation has been laid. We must not get carried away with the result, but neither should we have any fear when heading to Twickenham in a couple of weeks.