George North responded to criticism from his own coaches by scoring two tries for Wales in a 22-9 win over Ireland in rugby’s Six Nations on Friday (Saturday AEDT), handing England the chance to clinch the title with a game to spare.
England, on a national-record run of 17 successive victories, will retain the championship by beating Scotland at Twickenham on Saturday.
North, the strapping right winger, crossed in each half under the Principality Stadium roof at the end of a week when he was given a “warning” by the Welsh management for a poor defensive display in the recent loss to Scotland.
His second try, in the 44th minute when Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton was in the sin-bin, put Wales 15-6 ahead but the Irish dominated the final half-hour as they sought to keep alive realistic hopes of winning the title.
A penalty from Sexton brought Ireland within a converted try but backs-to-the-wall defence kept Wales ahead, and replacement Jamie Roberts collected a Toby Faletau charge-down to clinch victory with a 79th-minute try.
Wales rebounded from two straight losses that led to soul-searching in the country’s national sport.
As for the Irish, they stayed in second place – three points behind England and a point ahead of Scotland.
Ireland conceded 10 points while Sexton was in the bin for killing the ball on his own try-line just before halftime. The flyhalf also went off with a head injury midway through the first half.
taylorman
Roar Guru
The North try that Halfpenny fed him the last pass was fantastic, one of the best I've seen out of the 6N. England scored some good ones overnight but Scotland were particularly poor defensively.
Colm
Roar Guru
His use of the bench also demonstrates this also. What is the point in picking players on the bench if you don't trust them. John Ryan 1 minute, Niall Scannell 1 minute, Tommy Bowe 1 minute. Paddy Jackson came back on for 1 minute. Murray was barely able to pass the ball, but was kept on for 10 minutes, because Marmion didn't have enough experience.
Cathal
Guest
At this stage the next RWC could be a write off, I don't see Schmidt's changing his philosophy. Schmidt again and again picks players on reputation and now the results are starting to come (in a bad way).
Colm
Roar Guru
Good points Cathal, it's not as if Schmidt is working with poor, unskillful players either. Hard to see Ireland doing anything at the next world cup, the way things are going. Rory Best, Jamie Heaslip, Devin Toner and Rob Kearney will go down as some of the best players to have played from Ireland. At the next world cup, Best will be 37, Toner 33, Kearney 33 and Heaslip 35.
Colm
Roar Guru
I think it could be a case of papering over the cracks, if Ireland beat England.
Cathal
Guest
I'm done with watching Ireland at this point, as been said 6 out of 8 away games have been lost and each one of them we dominate possession & territory yet get nothing, we haven't changed at all sInce the RWC that match was a carbon copy of the 2015 Wales V Ireland game. How can a kiwi coach be so one dimensional? Wales are called one dimensional but they at least use there backs, Ireland when they on the odd occasion use there backs are essentially walking onto the ball, as if they are trying desperately to be predictable.
Hello
Roar Rookie
Agree go Munster. Although I always want Ireland to beat the poms
PeterK
Roar Guru
There goes Irelands charge to 3rd in the rankings. Not once did they get past aust to 3rd. SA have dropped to 7th though with Wales win over Ireland.
Old Bugger
Guest
Well I'll be damned - if that ain't a turnip (not turn-up!!), on the bookies. Looks like a few Scarlet lads, may have definitely, played their way into the BIL squad. Wasn't Ireland tipped as a favourite, at the 6N start?? Now beaten by the Scots and Welsh, they have only one last crack, at redemption to save some face.
Jake
Guest
Seems Ireland's rise to being semi-competitive is done. At least thye've got a victory over a mid week All Black team to dine out on for the next 100 years
Redsfan1
Guest
Ireland are the most boring team in 6N. Well done Wales.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
Looks like its between Eng and Scotland.
Colm
Roar Guru
I don't really care if Ireland win/hammer next week against England. I would rather Munster beat Toulouse, to be honest.
Colm
Roar Guru
Ireland yet again, predictably predictable in attack. Ireland have now lost 6 of their last 8 away matches. This isn't acceptable for the quality of players we have in the provinces. All of the provinces have more variety in attack than Ireland.