Johnny Sexton believes his teammates showed just how much representing their country means to them after Ireland defeated Wales 32-9 in the Autumn Nations Cup curtain-raiser.
A Quinn Roux try and eight points from the boot of Sexton helped Ireland into a 16-6 lead at the break in Dublin, with Leigh Halfpenny scoring two penalties in response for the visitors.
Halfpenny closed the gap after the break with another penalty but Billy Burns, who replaced Sexton just before the half hour mark, responded with his second effort from the tee on his debut.
Two more penalties from Conor Murray then put the result beyond doubt before James Lowe crossed late on for a try on his first start as the hosts finished in style at the Aviva Stadium.
And while Sexton acknowledged there are still areas for improvement, he was pleased with Ireland’s passionate response to their Guinness Six Nations defeat to France.
“When you get questioned like we have over the last couple of weeks, it shows character to bounce back and it shows what kind of people we are,” said the skipper.
“We’re very proud to play for this country and sometimes when you don’t perform as well as you’d like it doesn’t come across, but you could see it out there how much it meant to us.
“That’s what we’re most proud of. We can still be a bit more clinical, I think, in terms of taking more opportunities but we did some things much better tonight.
“We’re building still with the new coaches and new personal, it takes a while get used to international rugby but we’re getting there, slowly but surely.”
Sexton also assured Ireland fans that he hopes to recover in time for their next game against reigning Guinness Six Nations champions England at Twickenham next weekend.
“I just picked up a strain on that [second] penalty so it’s frustrating,” he said. “I was enjoying it out there, but most importantly the team won and we’re very pleased to bounce back.
“I’ll look after it well over the next few days and hopefully I can bounce back. It doesn’t seem too serious but we’ll see what the scan says tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Wales were left to reflect on a sixth consecutive defeat after their penalty count proved their undoing once again – just as it had done in their Super Saturday loss to Scotland.
But Wayne Pivac stressed the importance of patience after a tough night for the visitors, insisting that change takes time as he was left to rue his side’s set-piece struggles.
“Obviously very disappointed with the set-piece in the first half, we were unable to build pressure,” he said. “I thought the energy and effort in defence was there.
“But we were making too many tackles. At half-time, it was about getting the discipline under control. After that, we started to play rugby when we held onto the ball.
“However, more of the first-half crept in at the end. You’re always concerned when you don’t get the result you’re after. It’s taken a bit of time to click and it’s about eliminating the errors.
“It’s in our control and we have to make sure we control them.
“We’re looking to change over the course of ten years. It doesn’t happen overnight. Players are working very, very hard. We’re not giving up on this. It’s going to take time.”
