WARRIOR WELSH PREVAIL

But last-four status continues to elude Ireland, who have yet to reach the World Cup’s penultimate knockout stage from seven attempts.

As they had done all through the tournament, Wales put an emphasis on attack, and their bold approach was rewarded through tries for wing Shane Williams, scrum-half Mike Phillips and centre Jonathan Davies.

Stand-off Rhys Priestland kicked two conversions and full-back Leigh Halfpenny booted a long-range penalty to thwart an Irish side on level terms after 50 minutes when wing Keith Earls claimed a try that Ronan O’Gara converted, adding to an earlier penalty.

But Ireland, pool stage conquerors of Australia, gained little change from a colossal Welsh defence, and their revered back-row of Stephen Ferris, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip rarely featured.

Wales, in contrast, had heroes everywhere, most notably Phillips, who produced the performance of his career, and centre Jamie Roberts. On this form, Wales will fancy their chances of reaching the final, an achievement that appeared fanciful only a few months ago. But coach Warren Gatland and inspirational captain Sam Warburton continue to build a squad that now appears to have irresistible momentum.

“The boys knew that we were either going home Monday or we were here until the end of the tournament,” Gatland said. “That was the motivation beforehand. Wales should be very proud of these boys for how hard they worked the past four or five months.

“We’re not ready to go home yet.”

Wales led for all but eight of 80 minutes and never trailed, but despite a formidable defence and ruthless finishing, could easily have been behind at half-time.

With the wind behind them, the Irish spurned three first-half shots at goal to kick for position, wasted two attacking positions through not releasing and stand-off Ronan O’Gara twice punted over the dead ball line to give Wales a scrum.

“We had high hopes going into the game. We thought we were in good form and we just got outplayed on the day,” Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll said. “We just felt we could keep the pressure on and the boys backed themselves to drive over. That cost us a bit. We spent a lot of time down in their 22 and only came away with three points.”

Having survived those reprieves, Wales could have won by an even bigger score had Priestland not twice hit the post with penalty attempts.

Ireland looked to have started in the ascendancy – O’Gara putting in a huge hit on Halfpenny – but Wales got hold of the ball after a quick turnover by either side and calmly recycled through 13 phases to push upfield.

The Welsh were held up in front of the posts but spread the ball out to the right, where Williams went over for his ninth career World Cup try and 56th overall.

Ireland finally got on the board when O’Gara kicked a penalty in front of the posts with 23 minutes gone, but Halfpenny’s low, hard shot from halfway restored Wales’ seven-point advantage.

The start of the second half heralded a five-minute period, arguably the only one of the match, when it seemed the result could go either way as Ireland attacked with the same intensity that Wales produced at the start of the first half.

Flanker Ferris picked the ball up off his toes as Conor Murray’s well-intended but poorly executed reverse pass threatened to undo Ireland’s efforts. But Ferris was able to flip the ball up to Tommy Bowe, who passed for fellow winger Earls to slide in and cross just before his trailing legs were pushed into touch.

The conversion made it 10-10 after 45 minutes, but Wales led again by the time the clock showed 50. Phillips picked the ball up off the floor and sprinted down the blind, diving full stretch to ground one-handed in the corner under pressure from Gordon D’Arcy and Bowe for 15-10.

“It’s a historic win for Wales today. the boys have been outstanding.” Phillips said. “We were superb today. we’ve worked our socks off for this – we deserve the win.”

Davies then scored his third tournament try, seemingly erring when he ignored an overlap on the 22 before darting between Earls and prop Cian Healy to cut in and score.

The result left Ireland with a fifth loss from five quarter-finals, and a last shot at World Cup glory has gone for their golden generation.

“It’s disappointing, collectively and personally,” said O’Driscoll, contemplating the end of his fourth World Cup campaign. “I won’t get this opportunity again and that really sucks.”

Scorers: Ireland: Try: Earls. Con: O’Gara. Pen: O’Gara. Wales: Tries: S. Williams, Phillips, J. Davies. Cons: Priestland 2. Pens: Halfpenny.

Ireland: Kearney; Bowe, O’Driscoll, D’Arcy, Earls; O’Gara, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, O’Callaghan, O’Connell, Ferris, O’Brien, Heaslip. Subs: Trimble, Sexton, Reddan, Ryan, Leamy.

Wales: N Halfpenny, North, J. Davies, Roberts, S. Williams, Priestland, Phillips, Jenkins, Bennett, A. Jones, Charteris, A. Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau. Subs: Hook, B. Davies.

Referee: C Joubert (South Africa).