When you were already nine points down and any penalty attempt would be from halfway?

Barnes would be a much better ref for Ireland than Steve Walsh, who was originally named for this fixture,

Gawd this ref is stopping play all the time.

Oh sweet Jesus............ Sexton's seriously off

Please don't think that Wayne Barnes is a particular friend of Wales, he's usually dire at refereeing Welsh matches.


Steve Walsh was supposed to officiate in this match but withdrew because of other commitments. Shame, as I do like Mr Walsh's style of refereeing ..... favours open, running play and isn't whistle happy!

He is penalising both sides.Not as trigger happy as I feared Barnes would be so far.

Who Mr failed to spot a clear non grounding of a try in the pivotal game of last year's championship?

Thank god, he needed that.

Sexton finds his boots with a pen

12-3, 19mins.

Yes both sides are getting it. It just makes for a rather disjointed jerky game.

That's Wayne Barnes for you!!

Ireland have composed themselves very well since the injury break.

Got to say Barnes is reffing this very well.Impetus with the attacking sides.

This is all over the place! Errors in line outs on both sides (v. poor from Ireland).

Poor from Warburton, Barnes had given him and the team the final warning and it's the yellow card.

Sexton gets the pen

12-6, 31mins.

Yes, it's a bit scrappy and no free flowing rugby

Only way Ireland were ever getting back into this game was wales losing a man.

Hahaha this ref is disgraceful.. No point in competing in the scrum.

Very harsh decision on that scrum!

Beautiful kick...... goddamnit.....

Is there nothing the ref can do about these repeated infringements in defence from Wales? 3/4 advantages in every flow of play from Ireland.

I'm in agreement with my Celtic cousins here. Webb put the ball in by our No8's feet and the one should've been Ireland's but he didn't spot it.

Ireland were looking rattled before the game was stopped due to Samson Lee's injury.

The break allowed them to regain composure.

It works both ways. Ireland would've had the first yellow had our early momentum continued.


Barnes is only now starting to slip with some of his decisions.

It's the "Wayne Barnes Show" at the millennium.. This man doesn't know what he is doing..

He is crucifying Ireland's dominent scrum here..

15-9 to Wales at half time.

I fancy Ireland to keep chipping away at the lead and win this.Need to see if Wales have learnt from the poor second half at home to England.

Really unfortunate for Samson Lee that was a huge blow to the Wales scrum.
They have done well up to this point, but their momentum after the injury definately faltered.
Very impressive in patches from Wales though, Liam Williams outstanding