It was a game that most Ireland fans went into with a fair amount of trepidation.
Back-to-back Six Nations champions they may be but the injuries that had ravaged Joe Schmidt’s side had left many fearful that the wheels may come off at the Aviva.
So optimism wasn’t exactly sky high before the game.
But there’s still always time for a laugh before kick off.
https://twitter.com/MickPCollins/status/696349049553870848
Michael D meeting Luke Charteris and Big Dev before the game. Always a highlight. pic.twitter.com/htFkiPG0d9
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 7, 2016
And then there was South African CJ Stander singing the national anthem.
CJ Stander did learn Amhran na bhFiann. Good lad CJ #rugby #IREvWAL #RBS6Nations pic.twitter.com/olNpxIegtv
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 7, 2016
Welcome CJ 2:0 @CJStander
Singing Amhrán na bhFiann like a patriot and carrying like one too! #IREvWAL— Gráinne Seoige (@grainne_seoige) February 7, 2016
And the Welsh had their concerns.
I hate Zebo. Always seems to do well against us.
— Huw Davies (@thehuwdavies) February 7, 2016
Ireland seized the initiative when Conor Murray’s try gave them a 13-0 lead.
@ConorMurray_9 ya little tease! Nicely done! #dummy #try #IREvWAL
— Erin Kennedy (@erinski01) February 7, 2016
Ireland's Conor Murray scores a try. #IREvWAL. https://t.co/e529IldIcS pic.twitter.com/3MoTDF6woJ
— Alamy Editorial (@Alamy_Editorial) February 7, 2016
Key to that Ireland try was the set-piece recovery of Nathan White after taking a pasting at the previous scrum.
— Alex Shaw (@alexshawsport) February 7, 2016
Didn't @Kielysdonnyb promise us free scoops if Murray scored the first try?
— Ross O'Carroll-Kelly (@RossOCK) February 7, 2016
Yes, yes they did. Ours is a Guinness lads.
Free 🍺 in Kielys after match if either of these guys score the 1st Try @ConorMurray_9 @RossOCK @CJStander #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/5u39hQ9e0U
— Kielys of Donnybrook (@Kielysdonnyb) February 7, 2016
Dan Biggar was an early casualty but Wales fought back to trail by just three at half-time.
Leason learned for Dan Biggar. Wrapping your boot in shitloads of masking tape does NOT cure an ankle injury
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) February 7, 2016
https://twitter.com/Rugblee/status/696353406429089792
Rog knew what was required in the second half.
ROG: "It’s a day for boot, bite and bollock."#IRLvWAL
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 7, 2016
Wales threatened early on and levelled matters, but the Welsh weren’t happy with whistler Jerome Garces.
No Garces, sorry. Priestland completely in line to intercept, palms facing up. So you're not allowed to go for anything anymore? Farcical.
— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) February 7, 2016
Fair to say #IREvWAL hasn't panned out how many expected it to. Both fullbacks willing to counter with ball in hand rather than the air.
— Martyn Thomas (@MCThomasSport) February 7, 2016
Both sides continued to chase the victory but aside from one brilliant Sexton break, it was mostly a war of attrition.
This is God-like stuff from Johnny Sexton.
— Ross O'Carroll-Kelly (@RossOCK) February 7, 2016
Both sides kicked penalties in the final ten minutes to set up a grandstand finish that saw each team put together lengthy series of phases, although nobody quite knew what the hell Jared Payne was doing when he attempted a grubber kick on halfway with the clock in the red.
What the F***k was Payne doing kicking that ball #IREvWAL
— Bridgette Keane (@BridgetteBKeane) February 7, 2016
In the end, it was probably a fair result, and while Ireland will be frustrated not to have built on their early advantage, Wales will also be kicking themselves for not seeing the game out after going in front.
All over. A draw. Fair result. Both sides running the ball from their own half in an effort to get the win
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) February 7, 2016
Frustrating that we didn't do better with the late opportunity, taking the drop-goal attempt too soon, but it's not as if it was a gimme
— Huw Davies (@thehuwdavies) February 7, 2016
That was much faster and classier than the Saturday games, Ireland great composure and discipline, Wales will feel that they blew it
— Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) February 7, 2016
Draw. Hmm. Strange that Wales didn't ask Faletau to go for a drop-goal… #IREWAL
— Robert Kitson (@robkitson) February 7, 2016
Great day today @ShaneWilliams11 @ITVSport take the draw 👍 pic.twitter.com/dGljOQARyC
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) February 7, 2016
Aside from the result, the day belonged to one man, debutant CJ Stander, who picked up the man of the match award and the hearts of a nation.
.@CJStander in a green jersey picking up MOTM 🙌🏻 – "I was very emotional, it was a great day for me, my family & wife!" #IRLvWAL
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) February 7, 2016
