Gatland: Ireland deserved it

Wales coach Warren Gatland admitted that Ireland deserved to beat Ireland in their crunch Six Nations clash today.

He had courted controversy earlier in the week by claiming that the Welsh enjoyed beating Ireland more than any other team.

Gatland admitted “patchy” would be a fair description of his side’s performances throughout the championships.

“That’s fair enough,” he said. “We haven’t always played to our potential.

“We played some good rugby in the first half and showed some character after being 14-6 down and a couple of things have been pretty costly.

“We just have to learn to be a bit smarter and little more accurate.

“But we have to be gracious in defeat and say well done to the Irish players. It was a tough Test match and they’ve achieved something they haven’t for a long time.

“They deserve it.”