It was another shocking Six Nations weekend for Welsh rugby players in Dublin.
The supporters enjoyed Temple Bar or the pubs at Ballsbridge almost as much as the trip itself, although they were not the only ones who felt this way.
It was a win for Wayne Pivac’s team. Since the time Jonathan Davies and George North ran riot in the Irish capital 10 years ago, it has been a decade since Wales won an Irish national championship game.
Pivac’s men were not capable of stopping their recent Dublin decline from the very first whistle.
They were outmuscled and outplayed in one the most one-sided affairs Wales has been involved in in recent years.
It was clear that there was an Irish frustration at their performance. They felt they needed to go a few more gears, but they were not able to do so.
Wales’s deficit was 22 points, which is a good thing.
They never made it to the races. They conceded four tries, and only broke their points duck five minutes after their leading light, Taine Basham, touched down.
This was a humiliating defeat for Andy Farrell’s men, and Wales lost.
No surprises
While it is hard to accept defeat, the majority of the game went exactly to the form book.
Ireland beat New Zealand last November and was close to their full strength.
While Wales had defeated Australia in the final autumn game, they were missing eight British or Irish Lions as they arrived at this tournament.
Alun Wyn Jones (Ken Owens), Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Fletau, Josh Navidi Dan Lydiate, George North, Dan Lydiate and George North have more than 700 internationals in their combined experience.
Covid-19 had caused many problems, especially Scarlets and Cardiff players who had travelled from Cardiff to South Africa. Some cases required them to be quarantined for over two weeks.
These would be the limiting factors, as Wales appeared undercooked going into the tournament opener.
Pivac acknowledged that his team had struggled with Irish physicality, fervor and speed. This also led to discipline problems as Wales was placed on the wrong side by South African referee Jaco Peryper.
Ireland scored two extra tries after Ireland received a yellow card for Josh Adams’s challenge on Johnny Sexton.
Captain Dan
For Dan Biggar, the new captain, it was frustrating. He echoed Pivac’s assessment.
Biggar said, “We stated that physicality and discipline were the two things that we had to bring to Dublin and we didn’t get them right for the whole 80 minutes.”
It was a frustrating afternoon. We weren’t able to get enough front foot ball or dominate enough collisions so that we could put pressure on Ireland long enough, just like they did to our team.
“Ireland won too many physical collisions in the end, and that is why we have to look back at the weekend as well as Monday.
“The collisions in Rugby, if they don’t win them, especially against a Team like Ireland play, it is going to be a tough afternoon. And that is how it ended up.
“We are stronger than that” and we must make sure we have a bit more edge in training this week.
Wales’ woes and Irish inspiration
Due to the rugby similarities, any defeat against the Irish, particularly one as convincing as it is, will be more severe.
Each nation has four professional teams. This overwhelming result clearly shows where Welsh rugby stands in comparison to Ireland’s vibrant game.
The Six Nations stage has translated the struggled Welsh regions into the success of the thriving Irish provinces.
The four Welsh teams were defeated in 11 European competitions leading to the Six Nations tournament. Leinster Munster Ulster and Connacht, however, are winning.
The Under-20s of Wales were being taught by their Irish counterparts on the eve the Dublin disaster.
The fear is that the Welsh national side’s recent success has obscured the true problems with the game.
Steve Phillips, chief executive officer of Welsh Rugby Union, was asked about the issue during the Six Nations.
“You’d be naïve not to be alert to that because it’s all about pathway,” said Phillips.
“So, do you want it all to be united and everyone winning and being successful as in Ireland? That’s what we want.
Is there a direct correlation of regional performance and Wales? It should be the same with confidence levels and the top two inches.
“Let’s look at the Six Nations and reflect on where we are.”
It’s only one game. We may not be able to discuss a possible wooden spoon winner against Italy on the 19th of March.
Wales fans are concerned that the boom and bust nature Welsh rugby could return with stunning highs followed by devastating lows.
The long-term problems in the Welsh game must be addressed. These issues will only get worse if the national team fails to do so.
Scotland travels to Cardiff
Next Saturday will bring no relief as Gregor Townsend’s Scotland look for a first Six Nations win at the Principality Stadium.
They will be buoyed after a victory at home over England and are confident that they can win on the roads following their victories in Paris, Twickenham and Paris last season.
There is no fixture that Welsh fans can predict with confidence a win at home. Scotland will be in the unique position of being favourites.
If Pivac needs to switch sides, there aren’t many options. But Ross Moriarty, Dragons back row, will have a spot to start. This will address the physicality issue in Ireland.
Adams could be allowed to return to his wing position if Willis Halaholo, Cardiff’s centre, recovers from a hamstring strain. Adams was moved to centre in Dublin after the injury.
Pivac will have to prove his coaching skills in order to lift his team this week, in a tournament that saw him guide Wales to victory last year.
As Wales coach, he has been through some difficult times and bounced back.
In the next six week, the New Zealander could need all of his endurance.