Wales gave favourites Ireland a major scare as the Irish clinched the Triple Crown by beating a transformed Welsh team.
While the Welsh side ultimately fell to a 15th-successive Test match defeat, Ireland marched on in pursuit of the Grand Slam and an historic Six Nations title hat-trick.
Leinster number eight Jack Conan scored as the Irish physicality looked to dominate early on, but centre Garry Ringrose’s 20-minute red card allowed Wales to gain a foothold in the game and battled into a lead at the break through captain Jac Morgan’s try.
Scarlets wing Tom Rogers’ wonderful finish had Wales 18-10 ahead in the second half and eyeing a shock win.
But Ireland would show their class and experience to work themselves back into the game and when centre Jamie Osbourne’s try levelled the score at 18-18, a grandstand finish was set.
Wales would remain in the contest and could have snatched an unlikely win had TMO not denied debutant Ellis Mee’s score with minutes left on the clock. It would be though the boot of Sam Prendergast who kicked the last couple of his five penalties that secured Ireland the victory in the end and the Triple Crown in the process.
Despite defeat, Sherratt couldn’t praise his players effort and commitment to the contest.
“Firstly, I loved it, it was a great game,” said Sherratt after the match.
“This week has just been about us trying to get some confidence in the group and then trying to imprint what we’ve done on the field, and for large parts they did that.
“There has been a lot of people who have done this in the week, it’s not down to me.
“We put a clear plan together for the players, one or two things we thought we could put all our energy into, because there has been no lack of emotion and passion from the boys.
“It was just about removing the fear and letting them go on the field and express themselves a little bit within our structures.
“We asked for two things, show the crowd some emotion and also ambition within the structure. It was important we did that.
“It looked like we stood for being brave, which is what we talked about.”
On the late drama of Scarlets Mee’s agonisingly close call ruled out by TMO, the Welsh boss felt it might have snatched victory.
“That was a big moment, it was a very tough call,” continued Sheratt.
“You could tell that by the length of time it took. You never know if that’s awarded.
“But Ireland are a good team, and they have a habit of finishing strongly.”
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
