Ireland defeated Wales 17-15 in a game of dramatic and escalating tension at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday to win its first Six Nations grand slam since 1948. Flyhalf Ronan O'Gara dropped the winning goal three minutes from time after captain Brian O'Driscoll and right wing Tommy Bowe had scored tries in quick succession to put Ireland 14-6 ahead early in the second half. England's 26-12 win over Scotland at Twickenham gave it second place with France third following a 50-8 victory over Italy in Rome. Wales, the 2008 grand slam champion, ended up in fourth though equal on points with England and France. Flyhalf Stephen Jones, who kicked all the Welsh points and the only scores of the first half, kept Wales in contention with two nerveless penalties in the second and Gavin Henson failed with an ambitious attempt from halfway. Five minutes from time, Jones brought the home fans in the packed stadium to their feet with a dropped goal which soared between the posts to give Wales a one-point margin. But Ireland was not to be denied. It surged back into the Welsh half, set up the ruck and O'Gara, gesturing frantically for the ball, dropped the most important goal of his illustrious career. After the week-long buildup, both teams were understandably nervous on a warm, spring afternoon and the first half was riddled with errors, turnovers and a host of indifferent kicking from hand. Lions stun Brumbies In Johannesburg, the Lions outscored the ACT Brumbies by three tries to two on their way to a 25-17 win in a Super 14 match at Ellis Park on Saturday. In Hamilton, All Blacks winger Sitiveni Sivivatu scored four tries Saturday, setting a franchise record, as the Waikato Chiefs beat the Auckland Blues 63-32 in Super 14 rugby. In Sydney, the Sharks scored three tries in a devastating 22-minute burst to beat Australia's Western Force 22-10 and end their road trip on a high. In Sydney, captain Kieran Read scored a first-half try and the Canterbury Crusaders held on for a 17-13 win over the New South Wales Waratahs in a rematch of last year's Super 14 rugby final. In New Zealand, the Otago Highlanders overcame a slow start to beat South Africa's Cheetahs 32
