Ireland too strong for Wales (From Worcester News)

Ireland too strong for Wales

4:43pm Saturday 13th March 2010 in National Sport © Press Association 2011

Ireland celebrated captain Brian O'Driscoll's century of caps by cruising to a 27-12 victory over Wales which leaves them one win away from claiming their fifth Triple Crown in seven seasons.

The win, underpinned by Keith Earls' try double and one from Tomas O'Leary, also kept alive an outside chance of a successful RBS 6 Nations title defence.

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton kicked three penalties and a late drop-goal, while opposite number Stephen Jones booted four penalties - but Wales once again paid a huge price for poor discipline.

The home side repeated England's feat last month by scoring two tries while Wales had a player in the sin bin.

At Twickenham it was lock Alun-Wyn Jones who cost his team dear, and this time full-back Lee Byrne's technical infringement opened the door for an Irish side that needed no second invitation.

Wales now find themselves in the wooden spoon mix alongside Scotland and Italy heading into next weekend's final round of fixtures following three defeats from four starts.

Ireland, though, will clinch the Triple Crown if they beat Scotland at Croke Park next Saturday, and that would have been O'Driscoll's main objective, not the adulation reserved for his 100th cap.