Welsh win first Grand Slam in 27 years

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

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 and claiming the Six Nations championship.

"This is brilliant," said Wales halfback 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.

Just two years ago, the Welsh finished winless and last in the northern hemisphere's showpiece tournament. Before this season, they had won just eight of 25 matches since the Five Nations became Six.

Under coach Mike Ruddock, however, they have electrified this year's edition.

They put paid to world champions England in their championship opener on February 5, centre Gavin Henson's silver boot earning them a 11-9 victory with a late penalty.

A 38-8 humbling of Italy in Rome followed before an astonishing 24-18 comeback win over France in Paris underlined both the attacking flair and the strength of character in this Wales team.

Then came Murrayfield and a first-half performance of pace and brio that set up a comfortable 46-22 victory over the Scots to put Ruddock's men on the brink of a ninth Welsh grand slam.

On Saturday, 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 first five-eighths 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.

- REUTERS