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Triple Crown beckons for Ireland

Ireland celebrated captain Brian O'Driscoll's century of caps by cruising to a 27-12 victory over Wales which leaves it one win away from claiming its fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons.

Sunday, 14 March 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Ireland celebrated captain Brian O'Driscoll's century of caps by cruising to a 27-12 victory over Wales which leaves it one win away from claiming its fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons.

The win, underpinned by Keith Earls' try double and one from Tomas O'Leary, also kept alive an outside chance of a successful Six Nations title defence.

Ireland first five-eighths Jonathan Sexton kicked three penalty goals and a late dropped goal, while opposite number Stephen Jones booted four penalty goals, but Wales once again paid a huge price for poor discipline.

The home side repeated England's feat last month by scoring two tries while Wales had a player in the sin bin.

At Twickenham it was lock Alun-Wyn Jones who cost his team dear, and this time fullback Lee Byrne's technical infringement opened the door for an Irish side that needed no second invitation.

Wales now finds itself in the wooden spoon mix alongside Scotland and Italy heading into next weekend's final round of fixtures following three defeats from four starts.

Ireland though, will clinch the Triple Crown if it beats Scotland at Croke Park next Saturday, and that would have been O'Driscoll's main objective, not the adulation reserved for his 100th cap.

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