Triple Crown beckons

climb.

It was a depressing scenario for its suffering supporters, although there was immediate hope when Wales started the second period by camping inside Ireland's 22.

Wales opted to use its scrum as an attacking weapon as it exerted pressure, yet Ireland thwarted Welsh ambitions by clearing the danger and then stormed upfield while O'Driscoll received treatment following a heavy collision.

Sexton's third successful penalty, awarded after Byrne threw the ball away, stretched Ireland's advantage to 13 points, before Earls' second try finished Wales off.

Wales boss Warren Gatland made five substitutions between the 57th and 67th minutes, but it made little difference to the overall picture as Ireland closed out a relatively comfortable afternoon's work through an effortless Sexton dropped goal.