Gatlin was just trying to shit stir.

He couldn't be expected to understand the relationship and history between Ireland and wales in Rugby union, particularly in the six nations.

Ireland and wales have always loved playing each other, and hold each other high in their affections for each other.

They are probably the only team who could have beaten Ireland that Ireland would have felt no grudge against afterwards.

We compete against each other ferociously on the pitch, but there remains a strong and enduring sense of camaraderie between the two countries.

O'gara was the obvious weak defensive link that was always going to be exploited and every team who play Ireland look for a way to exploit it, and Ireland feature that into their strategy as it has become expected.

O'gara was rattled, and kicked too much from open play which thoroughly got on my nerves for one.

The first time he though about passing - at the start of the second half - Ireland scored a try.

Captain, I fail to see how two tries and a near miss stands as an even match for one fruitless drive for the line.

If Ireland had lost it would have been nothing more than a just punishment for sloppy discipline.

In such circumstances, the team with the better discipline can indeed pat itself on the back for keeping its nerve and restraint, and the team with the sloppy discipline can make no complaints but simply learn their lesson.

However, to call the rugby evenly matched would be very wide of the mark.

Ireland owned the line out, had the slight edge they needed up front and had the killer instinct in the center and on the wing that could capitalize on that slight edge.

Their defence was awesome, to the extent that I don't think Shane Williams had more than one go at running.

Take away the penalties and the score was 17 - 3.

Credit must go to wales for both keeping their nerve and rattling the Irish, thus creating conditions that favoured their kicker, but this is not to be confused with ambitious exciting rugby by any stretch, which is what we have come to expect from wales and what I believe they expect of themselves, but didn't get given the opportunity to play.

Win or lose we love the welsh and we relish competing against them and I would have loved to have been in Cardiff last night whoever won because thats how we roll.