Francis helps Wales to Grand Slam
By Mark Stevens
16/3/19
Prop Tomas Francis was all smiles tonight as he helped Wales to pick up the ‘Grand Slam’ in this season’s Guinness Six Nations with a comprehensive 25-7 victory over Ireland in Cardiff.
The Exeter Chiefs tight-head featured for just shy of an hour at the Principality Stadium, helping Warren Gatland’s side to make it 14 games unbeaten and a record third clean sweep for the New Zealander in his final Six Nations game at the helm.
Fly-half Gareth Anscombe did much of the damage for the home side, kicking 20 points - six penalties and the conversion of centre Hadleigh Parkes' second-minute try - to sink Ireland, whose scant reward was a converted try for Jordan Larmour in the final minute.
The Welsh success means they climbed above Ireland to hold second spot in rugby's official world rankings, and they will head to the World Cup in Japan later this year - Gatland's and Ireland coach Joe Schmidt's swansongs - as major title contenders.
"This group of players will run through a brick wall for you," Gatland said. "I am excited for the World Cup because you get two or three months together and you can prepare like a club side.
"You can go into a lot of skill development and really fine-tune your game. From that point of view, we will be in great shape. In our previous two World Cups (Gatland was in charge of), we were one of the fittest teams in the World Cup. We will be in good shape for this one as well."
Gatland predicted that Wales would win the Grand Slam if they beat France in their opening match, and they fought back from 16 points adrift to win that game. Six weeks later, they led 16-0 at half time and dominated Ireland in a way rarely seen against Schmidt's team during recent seasons.
Gatland added: "It's nice when predictions come true, isn't it?
"I've got to have that belief and self-confidence in us, and if I can portray that on to the players in some small way then hopefully they can believe it as well.
"It was a great performance today. The boys thoroughly deserve it. Creating history and winning Grand Slams are things nobody can ever take away from you.
"I thought they were exceptional in the way they managed the game. Our physicality nullified what have been Ireland's strengths in scrum, line-out and runners off nine. Our turnover rate, compared to them, gave us that dominance, particularly in that first half
"Emotion plays a huge part in big games like that. For our group of players, they knew they were playing for first or third place.
"The Irish players probably didn't expect England to lose to Scotland, so in their heads they were playing for second or third. That has a significant impact in those small percentages.
"You are at home, there is a tidal wave of support behind you, and it built.
"I will miss the atmosphere of a full house, coming in on the bus, the fans and the celebrations afterwards.
"I think I will enjoy that (winning three Grand Slams) afterwards, but the game is always about the players, and we stress that."