Ireland have held on to top spot in the Six Nations table following a 26-3 win over defending champions Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this afternoon.
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Jonathan Sexton got the hosts off to a good start, scoring two penalties inside the opening 20 minutes, as Wales made a string of errors.
The Irish side extended their lead shortly before half time when Chris Henry found the try line following a lineout, leaving his team 13-0 in front at the break.
Sexton, who had missed a long-range penalty effort late in the first half, was back on form after the restart with an early kick.
Leigh Halfpenny finally got Wales on the board in the 55th minute following a dominant spell by the visitors, but Sexton was soon able to restore the 16-point advantage for Ireland.
The visitors came close to scoring a try with just over 10 minutes left to play with Rhodri Jones bearing down on the try line, but a penalty let the hosts off the hook.
The hosts sealed the rout in the final moments of the match, as Paddy Jackson collected the ball before leaping over for the second try of the match.
Sian Cowper
