Barry John – Wales Online
This was one of the greatest performances I have seen from a Welsh team in modern times.
Yes, it was that good.
I will go a stage further. It was a phenomenal Wales effort in one of the most incredible rugby matches I have seen.
Credit to the two sides for that. It proved to be an immense occasion that matched up to its billing. From first minute to last, I was on the edge my seat.
Yes, if you want to see which ingredients make up a classic match, then Wales versus Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in 2015 will be remembered as a barometer.
Ireland were tremendous. They threw the kitchen sink at Wales… and then quite a bit more on top. But Warren Gatland’s men stood firm, displaying incredible resolve, commitment, tenacity and discipline.
David Hands – the Independent
Not without trying, though. At the end of a wonderfully-contested match, Ireland went yet again for a close-range line-out from which, if they managed a converted try, they could draw the game. That would have earned the precious point which might have helped them to the championship after next weekend’s finale against Scotland.
Their one try, a penalty try awarded when Wales collapsed a driving maul, had already come from such a tactic but once more the Welsh defence proved too much. Paul O’Connell, the warrior joining the ranks of rugby centurions, made the catch but was held up and the ball turned over. All Wales breathed a sigh of relief and greeted the final whistle and Sam Warburton’s man-of-the-match award with acclaim.
Two significant elements of Ireland’s game fell apart. One was the line-out, where they were caned throughout the first half; the other was the form of their much-lauded half backs, Jonny Sexton and Conor Murray. Against England, they deserved the plaudits.
The efficiency which had carried Ireland so far had gone, the aerial tactics used with such success against England had been stolen by Wales; Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny kicked high and Wales chased to such effect that they recovered at least fifty per cent of the kicks.
Paul Rees – the Guardian
The scoreline suggested a close game but Ireland were second best for the most part, having the determination to hang on until the end when they were pressing for a draw but devoid of ideas when in possession and looking anything but champion. They have a healthier points difference than Wales, who go to Rome next week when the Irish are in Edinburgh.
Ireland struggled to get on the front foot, not helped by Jonathan Sexton, who had been a doubt for the game because of a hamstring strain, making unforced errors: he put a restart straight out, as well as a kick, underhit a pre-planned chip and was involved in a moment of slapstick when Jamie Heaslip threw him the ball and he had his back turned advising those outside him what was coming.
Dafydd Pritchard – BBC
After a week where coaches and former players spoke about their worry that rugby was becoming boring, this nerve-shredding match was the perfect riposte.
As reigning champions and current Six Nations leaders, Ireland were marginal favourites for this eagerly anticipated encounter.
Their march to the top of the table had not been universally popular, however, with head coach Joe Schmidt’s approach leading some commentators to describe their domination as dour.
