Ferris Error sets up Dublin win for Welsh

IRELAND ........ 21 pts
WALES ................................. 23 pts

Ireland wanted World Cup revenge in Dublin and ended up with egg on their face after losing the Six Nations opener to Wales.

Flanker Stephen Ferris was the fall-guy as far as the home fans were concerned when he conceded a last gasp penalty to the Welsh.

Referee Wayne Barnes was roundly booed after he penalised Ferris - and sent him to the sin-bin - for a tackle two minutes from time which Leigh Halpenny slotted over to win the match.

The disappointed Ireland players simply ran out of time to make amends for the Ferris error of judgement on an afternoon when they played well enough to win the game but didn't take their chances.

Rory Best and Tommy Bowe scored tries either side of half-time for the Irish but Wales scored three tries of their own.

The first came early on via Jon Davies but two second-half scores from Davies and George North ensured that grandstand finish and Irish disappointment.