For the XV of France, Ireland, world N.1 in the World Rugby ranking, appears more than ever to be the most difficult obstacle in its quest for a second consecutive success in the Tournament.

Irish and French will face off on the second day, next Saturday in Dublin (3:15 p.m.), and the winner of this confrontation will take an option on the final victory of the competition.

For Wales, which found at its head Warren Gatland, its New Zealand wizard, the blow is hard.

The Welsh had not lost at home against Ireland in the Tournament since 2013. Betrayed by their indiscipline, they had also not conceded as many points in the first period (3-27).

With 7 penalties conceded in the first 25 minutes, against only one for his opponent, the Leek XV could not hope for much and the score of 27 to 3 at that time was fully justified.

No psychological effect

Ireland feared more than anything the psychological effect that the presence of Gatland, who had performed miracles between 2007 and 2019, could create.

She stifled all inclinations with two hard tries in less than ten minutes by Caelan Doris (0-7, 2nd) and James Ryan (0-14, 8th).

"We started perfectly, which was very important because we had not won here for ten years", rejoiced the player of the match, the Irish back Hugo Keenan, at the microphone of the BBC.

As they finally seemed to regain their senses and approach the opposing line, the Welsh were still punished by an interception from James Lowe in his 22 meters to go flatten against, when we had barely passed half of the first period (3-24, 21st).

With Johnny Sexton impeccable at the foot - 5/5 and 12 points - the locals left the field with their heads bowed at the break.

Gatland's probably muscular speech in the locker room seemed to bear fruit at the start of the second act when, with finally impeccable and fast sequences, Dan Biggar sent Liam Williams behind the line between the posts (10-27, 45th).

Welsh errors

Irish Tadhg Beirne catches the ball after a throw-in during the match between Wales and Ireland at the Six Nations tournament in Cardiff on February 4, 2023 © Geoff Caddick / AFP

But errors and clumsiness quickly killed all hope in the bud, like a touch not right in the opposing 22 meters a few seconds after the try or a too long pass from Jason Tipuric towards the wing which wasted a great opportunity (54th).

A tackle too high from Liam Williams on Johnny Sexton sent the Welsh back for ten minutes on the bench (65th) and Ireland took advantage of the numerical advantage to register the fourth try of the offensive bonus by Josh van der Flier ( 10-34, 72nd).

"We probably lost the thread a bit in the second half," Keenan admitted again.

"There's still a lot to work on, but we're delighted to get a bonus point and start the tournament with a win."

A victory that Andy Farrell's men will therefore try to confirm next Saturday against the Blues.

© 2023 AFP