Litany of errors costs Ireland

Another crushing disappointment, another failure for which Ireland need look no further than their own performance. A litany of errors, usually in the shadow of their own posts, characterised a display which see-sawed between the sublime and ridiculous.

Wales out-half Scott Mitchell inflicted the mortal wound in injury time at the end of the match, racing through a couple of brittle tackles to touch down in the corner: that he failed with the conversion was immaterial. Irish players shot each other accusing glances as they trudged back to the posts but, in truth, the match had been conceded in the previous four minutes.

On two separate occasions the Irish pack appeared in full control as measured driving took them to the halfway line; each time they carelessly coughed up possession. It allowed Wales, a team whose rugby smacked of desperation, to reapply pressure that eventually produced a lifeline in the shape of Mitchell's late try.

Ireland paid dearly for lapses in concentration that afflicted them throughout the opening 20 minutes of the match and the closing exchanges. In between they played some excellent rugby but that will be of little consolation now as they consider the stigma of playing against Argentina to avoid last place.

The departure through injury of the excellent Shane Horgan - he scored a superb individual try - and Kevin Hartigan, the first choice centre combination, hardly helped the midfield defence but the problems were there long before their departure.

The Welsh, without stunning complexity to their backline gambits, engineered far too many holes and Ireland survived some scary moments in defence. Their opponents appeared sharper and more aggressive from the start. Facing into a strong breeze the Welsh took the game to Ireland.

Two penalties from Mitchell in the first 10 minutes were a just reward for their efforts. Gradually Ireland realised that it was better to wait until inside the Wales 22 before embarking on a more expansive approach.

The change in game plan produced results, Mark McHugh's superb punting creating the platform and the superb mauling of the pack prised the openings. The St Mary's College out-half enjoyed a fine game and he opened Ireland's account with a penalty. Then, in the 28th minute, came the most satisfying moment of the match from an Irish viewpoint.

An orthodox skip pass allowed Horgan to glide outside his opposite number's despairing tackle, race 20 metres, step inside the full back and glide to the line for an excellent try. McHugh's conversion put Ireland 10-6 in front, an advantage he stretched with a penalty and a brilliant 40-metre drop goal on half-time.

The margin never appeared likely to suffice and was even more tenuous when Wales grabbed a try on 47 minutes through left wing Hefin O'Hare: he easily brushed aside the weak tackle of Jonathan Davis as Wales exploited the blindside close to the Irish line. Mitchell converted and Ireland seemed in serious trouble.

McHugh's superb half break on 57 minutes should have led to a try for replacement Shane Moore but he was slow to react and grounded short of the line. Wales regrouped and 12 minutes later scored a try when, having broken down a Welsh back-row move, an Irish boot sliced the ball sideways, straight into Mitchell's hands: two rucks later and centre Matthew Watkins crashed over the Irish line.

In fairness to the Irish pack they won the restart and exerted a stranglehold inside the Welsh 22, the upshot of which was a 22-metre drop goal, McHugh's second, with five minutes remaining to put them back in front.

The errors that dogged Ireland periodically returned to haunt them in the closing stages, however.

They now must lift themselves to face Argentina, the only side whom they have beaten in this tournament, on Saturday. They must do so without Jeremy Staunton, who is likely to be out for three weeks.