Wales still in Six Nations title contention: Tipuric

LONDON: Justin Tipuric has no doubt that Wales remain Guinness Six Nations title contenders despite suffering their first defeat in the tournament for two years.

Wales’ 24-14 loss to Ireland in Dublin ended a run of eight successive Six Nations wins, while also scuppering Grand Slam hopes. Resurgent France are next up in Cardiff on February 22, followed by England at Twickenham, so life is not about to get any easier for Tipuric and company.

Asked if Wales can still win this season’s competition, Wales flanker Tipuric said: “Yes, of course. Especially this year, because there are so many good teams and anybody can turn over anybody on a given day. It’s a long tournament. We won’t win the Grand Slam, but we are still in with a chance of winning it (Six Nations). Anything can happen on the day.”

Ireland triumphed in bonus-point fashion thanks to tries from full-back Jordan Larmour, prop Tadhg Furlong, flanker Josh Van Der Flier and wing Andrew Conway.