Wales made a tremendous start in Cardiff with North bursting through a couple of times but it was 9 minutes before they took the lead with a penalty, quickly equalised by the Italians. Wales came forward again with good expansive play and won another penalty for an infringement in the scrum. For a change, they kicked to touch and went for an attacking line-out, but only came away with another penalty, in front of the posts, which Halfpenny kicked easily to restore their lead. Yet another penalty for Wales was again kicked to touch for the line-out, but this time the Italian defence won the day and a penalty for themselves.
Wales had almost all of the possession and territory but couldn't break the Italian defence until a penalty when less than 5 yards out produced another 3 points scored by Halfpenny, to take the lead to 9-3. From the kick-off, Italy threatened briefly after a penalty kicked to the corner, but a penalty for Wales allowed thm to clear their lines and half-time came at 9-3 to Wales.
The second half opened with some scrappy exchanges but the Italians having more of the play. After 10 minutes, Roberts broke away after Wales turned the ball over in a ruck and they had a try under the posts - 16-3. A penalty from their own half saw Wales putting enormous pressure on the Italian defence but the visitors still held firm as Wales passed the ball from wing to wing and back in search of a second try. Halfpenny was sent to the sin bin for an ill-advised tackle on Parisse after 62 minutes, and the Welsh found themselves under pressure for the first time in the match. However, the Italians were unable to take advantage of their extra man and it was Wales who added points through a penalty taken by Priestland.
Wales continued to press forward but the Italian defence proved extremely hard to break down until a quickly taken penalty saw Cuthbert storm through to just crawl over the line in the corner, in spite of 2 tacklers almost bringing him down. Priestland missed the kick to leave the score at 24-3 at the end. The Italian tackling was ferocious and the Welsh handling superb throughout; in the end, Italian handling let them down and the Welsh simply had too much class. A Grand Slam will now be theirs with victory over the French in their final match.
In Dublin, Ireland entertained Scotland, although they probably hadn't planned on the vistors taking the lead with a penalty after only 3 minutes. Neither side threatened much until a second penalty for Scotland saw them 6-0 ahead after just 10 minutes. Ireland had a chance to halve the arrears after 12 minutes but chose to kick to touch for the line-out; a planned move produced a try in the corner for Rory Best, the Irish hooker, duly converted by Sexton, and Ireland had the lead.
The home side probably had the better of the play thereafter and Sexton extended the lead with a penalty after 25 minutes. Scotland quickly followed with a penalty kicked to touch and a 5 metre line-out to gain another penalty, treated the same, and then a third. This time, they took the kick and reduced the arrears to 10-9. From the kick-off, Ireland had a penalty, quickly taken, and raced to within 5 yards of the Scottish line; a lapse in concentration from the Scots and Reddan was in for a second Irish try, which Sexton again converted for a 17-9 lead. Back came the Scots and an overlap led to a try for Ritchie Gray, though Laidlaw failed with the conversion. Ireland kept on pressing against desperate Scottish defence and another try came in the corner for Trimble, more than a minute beyond time; Sexton missed the difficult kick and, at half-time, it was 22-14 to the Irish.
The second half started with Scottish pressure but without result. Ireland then produced some great passing and running and won a penalty in front of the posts, which Sexton took with a kick to Bowe on the wing; he almost turned the move into a try, but not quite. Play now was tighter with little to choose between the sides, but perhaps Scotland slightly ahead; the first 30 minutes of the half passed with no score, though. Finally, Ireland gained a penalty 25 yards out and close to touch, but Sexton put it through the posts to make the match almost secure. Almost immediately, Ireland broke away and Earls was chasing for a try when he was taken down by Evans who was promptly sent to the bin. With Scotland now down to 14, Ireland soon had a 4th try under the posts from McFadden, again converted by Sexton, and the result of 32-14 may well have reflected the real gulf between the teams. Ireland took their chances, Scotland didn't, and paid the price. Next week, Scotland will play Italy for the 'wooden spoon' while Ireland will have to try their luck against England at Twickers.
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