BRIAN O'DRISCOLL'S SIX NATIONS DIARY: An emotional roller-coaster is how I'd describe Saturday afternoon at the Millennium Stadium. It's the strangest feeling I've had after an international. On the one hand there is the disappointment of letting them back into the game but this was nullified by a feeling of relief.
It was hard to get a handle on whether we should be celebrating a great comeback or annoyed we put ourselves in a position where we risked ruining everything we had achieved this season. In the end we're just glad to be moving forward to Sunday's match at Lansdowne Road and all it entails.
There was a point on Saturday when we were leading 19-7 just after half-time and had them on the rack. We had several opportunities, came close a couple of times but couldn't get the score that possibly would have broken their resistance.
There was a little knock-on from a lineout and then we were penalised at a scrum under their posts. We weren't nearly as strong defensively as we have been in previous matches.
Fordy (Mike Ford) probably got it right when he pointed out we missed the first tackle in the game and that seemed to set the tone. It's a bit worrying to say the least. Our defensive system is built on trust and everyone needs to have a look at their own performance because there were too many missed tackles.
We did play a territorial game but when we got down there (Wales 22) space was at a premium. We weren't going to be able to run it down there so we drilled a fair bit of ball to the corners. Our set-piece play was below par and this denied us a platform to first build and then sustain our attacks.
The statistics do show if you dominate the set-pieces you invariably win matches. I'm a bit of a convert where the statistics are concerned. The data made available to the players does shows trends in matches and why you win them.
We almost threw the game away. Getting to half-time 14-7 ahead and keeping them out just before the whistle meant we were in a positive frame of mind going down the tunnel. We then scored within minutes of the restart and that should have been the impetus to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Instead we seemed to rest on our laurels, unaccountably, which was very frustrating and we conceded too many penalties. We had a sustained bout of pressure but crucially didn't get a score. We had the momentum at that stage, kicked the penalty to touch but the lineout didn't quite come off and then from the scrum five under their sticks we were penalised.
They took heart and two tries later we're hanging on for dear life. When Stephen Jones dropped that goal I emphasised the need to keep our composure and change the restart from long to short.
Rog (Ronan O'Gara) hung up a beautiful restart, Mal (Malcolm O'Kelly) got the first touch, and then Rog drops into the pocket and lands a beauty, a much better attempt than one particular Irish centre in the first half.
Referee Steve Lander had told me there was two minutes to go prior to our restart that time. Two minutes went from being such a short time-frame to the longest 90 seconds when you're looking for that final whistle.
Our priority was to secure the ball from their restart. They dumped a few on me so I was conscious they could go that way again.
They got it back. Then came the controversy. Nobody knows whether the referee had signalled for a penalty or a scrum. I haven't seen the video but Bishy (Justin Bishop) assured me the ball was knocked forward as he went to make the tackle.
Lander played the advantage, they continued to go forward and then Stephen Jones had a drop goal chance. Den's (Denis Hickie) charge down was absolutely fantastic. One heartening aspect of the performance was when put to the pin of our collars, the team came up with big plays.
The final acts of the match involved myself and Munch (Shane Byrne) shepherding Tom Shanklin into touch and then it was time for Strings's (Peter Stringer) party piece; hoofing the ball into the stand. It was a great day for Mal, winning his 50th cap and he obviously enjoyed leading out the team because he was down that tunnel like a scalded rabbit. We couldn't keep up.
Next Sunday's it is Maggsie's (Kevin Maggs) turn and I couldn't think of a more appropriate match for him to play in his 50th Test. It would be understatement to suggest this is a match he would desperately love to win. A senior player in the team, he has the confidence to express himself more and when he speaks, everyone listens. Now if we could only get him to stop using those photo opportunities at training to showcase his boxing skills.
The week has not been without its more amusing moments, especially with regard to Ireland's newest American football sensation, Ronan O'Gara. Last Monday at the training session in Naas we decided to see if Rog was really worth the $12 million apparently offered by the Miami Dolphins.
We organised a line of scrimmage, forwards naturally, American football style with Axel (Anthony Foley) as the snapper and me the holder. Marcus Horan blocked it down so Rog needs some practice to be worth that money.
I suppose we can mention the "E" word now. They are a great, great side. We've given ourselves a chance and to be denied that by losing against Wales would have been heartbreaking. Everyone would have been very down. No matter what happens on Sunday we have put ourselves into a position to win the Grand Slam and we'll give our all for 85, 90 minutes, whatever it takes.
Hopefully it'll be enough.
