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Soccer

SIX NATIONS

Wales beat Ireland to complete Six Nations Grand Slam

The Wales side beat Ireland 25-7 to win the Six Nations and complete the Grand Slam at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Reuters
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Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Wales v Ireland - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - March 16, 2019 Wales' Josh Navidi in action with Ireland's Sean O'Brien Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra
PETER CZIBORRAAction Images via Reuters

Wales beat Ireland 25-7 to win the 2019 Six Nations and complete the Grand Slam at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Centre Hadleigh Parkes scored a try in the second minute of the match, and fly-half Gareth Anscombe, the man of the match, kicked six penalties and a conversion for a 20-point haul. Ireland scored a consolation try right at the end of the game.

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Wales v Ireland - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - March 16, 2019 Wales' Hadleigh Parkes celebrates scoring their first try with Jonathan Davies
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Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Wales v Ireland - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Britain - March 16, 2019 Wales' Hadleigh Parkes celebrates scoring their first try with Jonathan DaviesPETER CZIBORRAAction Images via Reuters

It is Wales's fourth Grand Slam of the Six Nations era and the third won under coach Warren Gatland, who is leaving his post after this year's World Cup which will be staged in Japan.

Dream start

Wales eased the nerves by making a dream start, all-action centre Parkes plucking Anscombe's deft kick over the top to score inside two minutes.

George North made an early exit with a wrist injury and Alun Wyn Jones had treatment on his knee, but a long-range penalty from Anscombe - shifted to full-back with Dan Biggar on at fly-half and Liam Williams moving to the wing - extended the lead.

Ireland applied some pressure but a rock-solid Wales defence kept them scoreless and Anscombe punished indiscipline from the defending champions with two penalties to put Gatland's men 16-0 up at the break.

Composed Wales carried on where they left off after the interval, Anscombe again making no mistake again from the tee after Cian Healy was deemed to have come from the side of a maul.

Ireland continued to struggle in tricky conditions, summed up when Johnny Sexton threw a pass straight into touch in a promising situation after the holders were finally able to put phases together.

Johnny Sexton of Ireland looks dejected during the Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales.
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Johnny Sexton of Ireland looks dejected during the Guinness Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium on March 16, 2019 in Cardiff, Wales.Dan MullanGetty Images

There was no let-up from relentless Wales - led by the immense Jones - and two more Anscombe strikes put them well out of sight.

Ireland finally breached the Wales defence when Larmour stepped outside to score after the ball was moved swiftly from left to right and Jack Carty added the extras, but the party had already got under way by then.