It is NOT a game for the faint-hearted.
Previous clashes between Ireland and Wales have taught us that they’re nothing if not absolutely savage affairs and tonight’s Six Nations encounter at the Millennium Stadium is no different.
The hosts came into the game on the back of a mixed bag of a Six Nations campaign to date, but they played like a team with a point to prove for the first 40 minutes.
Ireland gave as good as they got and went in at the break two points behind after George North crossed for the only try of the half, with Ireland leading 2-1 on the converted penalties count.
The biggest takeaway for most people watching the first half, however, was the sheer physicality of it, with Jonathan Sexton (who was sin-binned at the end of the half) and Conor Murray amongst those on the receiving end of some truly ferocious hits.
The players will be performing mini-miracles if they can keep this up until the final whistle, but if the second half is anything like the first, then we’re in for a cracker.
Holy mother of god these are some hits. #ouch #6nations2017
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/p_cunnane/status/840299635155460096
Massive hits! Ferocious start. Ireland's defence… #WALvIRE
— Laura Winter (@lauracwinter) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/C_LEstrange92/status/840297589740318721
Some of these hits though!!!!! #WALvIRE
— Natasha 'Mo' Hunt (@huntie_1) March 10, 2017
Massive hits from both teams! #WALvIRE
— Matt Clark (@856Matt) March 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/yazhowe/status/840299464497725440
Massive hits already @SixNationsRugby #WALvIRE #biglads #RBS6Nations
— Lewis Bowles (@kenhalfpenny) March 10, 2017
You cnt beat a real battle of 2 sides. Its going be a war with these huge hits coming in.#6nations2017 #WALvIRE #bighits #Cheekyoffside
— Bernie Manning (@inkwarrior666) March 10, 2017
Holy crap, some of those hits though! #bbcsixnations #WALvIRE
— Nigel Bayliss (@NBaylissbcfc) March 10, 2017
