George North responded to criticism from his own coaches by scoring two tries for Wales in a 22-9 win over Ireland in the Six Nations on Friday, handing England the chance to clinch the title with a game to spare. A penalty from Sexton brought Ireland within a converted try but backs-to-the-wall defense kept Wales ahead, and replacement Jamie Roberts collected his own charge-down to clinch victory with a 79th-minute try. Wales rebounded from two straight losses that led to soul-searching in the country's national sport. As for the Irish, they stayed in second place - three points behind England and a point ahead of Scotland. Ireland conceded 10 points while Sexton was in the bin for killing the ball on his own try-line just before halftime.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 10, 2017 22:03 UTC