CARDIFF: Wales
claimed a record third Six Nations Grand Slam of coach Warren Gatland's reign
yesterday as Gareth Anscombe kicked 20 points to help beat an ill-disciplined
Ireland 25-7. The stunning victory extended Wales' winning streak to 14
matches, moving them to second in the World Rugby standings and handing
Gatland's team a massive psychological boost looking ahead to this year's Rugby
World Cup in Japan.

The Grand Slam
was the 12th achieved by Wales, who opened this campaign with a 24-19 victory
over France before following up with wins over Italy (26-15), England (21-13)
and Scotland (18-11). It was the third under Gatland in his 50th and final
Wales game in European rugby's showcase tournament following Grand Slams in
2008 and 2012, and a first Six Nations title since 2013.

Anscombe, who
scored six penalty goals and a conversion, said: "It's hard to put into
words what this means, we've worked incredibly hard over the last year. We have
a habit of winning. It's a special group and we worked hard for each other.

"For me it's
a day and weekend to remember for Welsh rugby." Wales captain Alun Wyn
Jones admitted the team had "just put a big target" on their backs
going into the World Cup, adding that there was "still potential in
us".

Ireland captain
Rory Best called Wales "a very determinded side and hard to beat
here". "We couldn't get footing in the game. Our set-piece wasn't up
to the standard that we expect. They put a lot of pressure on us and we struggled
to respond." The tone of what turned out to be an electrifying start was
set from the off. Gargantuan winger George North followed up on Anscombe's
kick-off, catching Jacob Stockdale in possession and driving him into touch.

The crowd, barely
in their seats after stirring anthems, were quickly galvanised as Ken Owens
peeled off the attacking line-out, Hadleigh Parkes gathering Anscombe's dink
over the top to touch down within two breath-taking minutes, the fly-half
converting. Kiwi-born Parkes, who made his Super Rugby debut alongside Anscombe
for the Auckland Blues before relocating to Wales in 2014, was then on hand to
produce a superb try-saving tackle on Stockdale in what turned out to be a
disappointing Ireland's best chance of the game.

World Rugby
player of the year Johnny Sexton caught the Welsh defence flat-footed with a
clever raking cross-kick, Stockdale expertly gathering and shrugging off Gareth
Davies as he steamed down the line before Parkes hauled him down with the line
beckoning. Influential playmaker Dan Biggar made an earlier-than-expected entry
after North went off with an injured left wrist, Anscombe slotting in at
full-back with Liam Williams moving to the wing.

When Sexton was
pinged for a ruck infringement in the 18th minute, Anscombe made no mistake
with the penalty to stretch Wales' lead. Ireland's ill-discipline - Sexton
spurned a shot at goal himself after a rare spell of Irish pressure, but Adam
Beard launched himself into the attacking Irish maul off the line-out, Justin
Tipuric isolating Irish skipper Rory Best and forcing a knock-on.

Things weren't
going Ireland's way, experienced No 8 CJ Stander then losing control of a quick
tap and go to lose all momentum, coach Joe Schmidt left holding his head in
despair. Anscombe increased the home side's lead to 16 points with two further
penalties just before half-time, ironically the same lead France held over
Wales after the first 40 minutes in the opening match of this Six Nations
campaign. Alun Wyn Jones, equalling Gethin Jenkins as the most capped Welshman
of all-time with 134 caps (including nine matches for the British and Irish
Lions), was to the fore as the go-to line-out jumper and around the park with
ball in hand. - AFP