Irish too strong in Dublin

By Steve Grace
24/2/18

Ireland inched closer to a potential Grand Slam by beating Wales in a thrilling Six Nations battle in Dublin.

Winger Jacob Stockdale scored two tries with Bundee Aki, Dan Leavy and Cian Healy also touching down for the Irish.

A score by Gareth Davies had briefly given Wales - who included Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis in their squad - the upper hand and second-half tries by Aaron Shingler and Steff Evans left the result in the balance.

But the visitors were undone by a lack of discipline in head coach Warren Gatland's 100th game in charge.

Ireland will take a 100% record into their next match at home to Scotland on 10 March, seven days before the St Patrick's Day meeting with England, who were beaten 25-13 by Scotland on Saturday.

Welsh title hopes are effectively at an end after losing to the Irish in the Six Nations for the first time since 2014.