Wales end long wait for grand slam

Resurgent Wales sealed their first Six Nations grand slam in 27 years with a 32-20 victory over Ireland yesterday.

In front of a passionate full house at the Millennium Stadium, the Welsh overcame a nervy start before surviving a strong finish by the Irish to claim a deserved place in rugby history.

"This is brilliant," said Wales scrumhalf Dwayne Peel, who was named man of the match. "It is a credit to the team. The Irish came at us with guns blazing but we gave it everything we'd got.

"For Wales to win the grand slam for the first time in 27 years is something really special."

Wales winger Shane Williams added: "The atmosphere and the support we've had today has been tremendous. For any team coming to Cardiff, it's always going to be difficult for them."

The form side of this year's campaign, Wales completed a remarkable turnaround by clinching their first grand slam since 1978, their first triple crown since 1988 and their first championship title since 1994.

Yesterday, in front of a raucous home crowd of 74,500, they avoided a sixth successive Six Nations defeat at the hands of the Irish while also preventing their opponents from securing a second triple crown in a row.

With flyhalf Stephen Jones contributing 16 points, Wales beat Ireland in Cardiff for the first time in 22 years to capture the ultimate prize in European rugby.

Holders France had to settle for second place in the championship after beating Italy 56-13 at Rome's Stadio Flaminio earlier in the day.

The French kept alive their slim hopes of retaining the title on points difference by running in seven tries against the Italians, but then needed Ireland to defeat the Welsh by at least 13 points in Cardiff.

Other result: England vs Scotland 43-22.