It would be fair to say that Sam Prendergast had a mixed bag today, but stood up in the big moments.

He was caught out in defence for Wales' early second-half try, and a late kick out on the full was nearly very costly for Ireland.

However, an incredible 50:22 led to Jamie Osborne's try and he kicked a long-range penalty to put Ireland six ahead.

Jack Crowley came on at 72 minutes at fullback, and some were surprised that he didn't come on earlier at out-half.

But as former Ireland winger Shane Horgan pointed out on Virgin Media, the 50:22 bided the young No 10 some time.

He said: "I think Sam Prendergast was coming off if he hadn't kicked that 50:22, he didn't have a good game. I think he probably had his worst game for Ireland so far.

"His defence was certainly one, couple of kicks off the ground that he missed, kick out of hand was a big error at the end, he looked shaky in defence.

"You don't play brilliant every week, but I think the reason he was kept on a side from that was the distance of his kicking, and he just had a couple of decent moments that were very very important for the game, but overall it was pretty average from him."

Most were in agreement that Garry Ringrose's first-half red card was a fair call.

There was little mitigation as his head smashed off that of Ben Thomas in the 32nd minute.

However, most - even Ireland fans and pundits - are in agreement that the 20-minute red card is poor new law brought in by World Rugby.

It meant that Ireland were allowed bring on a substitute for Ringrose after 20 minutes, bringing them back to 15 men.

That replacement happened to Bundee Aki, who proceeded to have a stormer of a game as his side clawed back the lead.

"We have to give a lot of credit to Wales, it was very tough out there today," Gibson-Park said pitchside after Ireland's win in Cardiff.

"They're an unbelievable team, a proud nation, they showed that today.

"It was always going to be tough and they sure proved that to us today.

"It's tough, more mentally than anything, but we have great coaches and we're prepared for these kind of things..."

Our on-the-whistle Ireland player ratings from Cardiff.

1. Andrew Porter - 5.5
2. Dan Sheehan - 6
3. Tom Clarkson - 5.5
4. Joe McCarthy - 7
5. Tadhg Beirne - 7
6. Peter O'Mahony - 6
7. Josh van der Flier - 7
8. Jack Conan - 7.5
9. Jamison Gibson-Park - 7.5 MOTM
10. Sam Prendergast - 7
11. Mack Hansen - 6.5
12. Robbie Henshaw - 7
13. Garry Ringrose - 6.5
14. James Lowe - 7.5
15. Jamie Osborne - 6.5

Replacements:

• 16. Gus McCarthy - 6
• 17. Jack Boyle - 6.5
• 18. Finlay Bealham - 7
• 19. James Ryan - 6
• 20. Ryan Baird - 6.5
• 21. Conor Murray - Not on long enough to rate.
• 22. Jack Crowley - 6
• 23. Bundee Aki - 7

A brilliant, exciting game comes to an end in Cardiff and Ireland have won the Triple Crown, while the Grand Slam quest remains on track.

Wales produced a heroic performance, but Ireland preserved and ran out deserved winners.

Ireland win a counter-ruck penalty and Prendergast knocks over another one.

Bundee Aki win a penalty and Prendergast knocks it over from just past the half way.

Mack Hansen is held up over the line and the referee brings it back for a penalty, which Prendergast knocks over.

A superb kick spiral kick from Ireland's out-half gets his side a line out in the Welsh 22.

With the advantage Jamison Gibson-Park send a cross-field kick to James Lowe who gets up high to tap the ball back for Jamie Osborne to crash over.