The Temple of Dagon

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland has a sniff of its first Six Nations rugby title in five years after humbling defending champion Wales 26-3 at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. Oscar Brazil Jersey . Ireland scored the games only two tries from superb rolling mauls while Jonathan Sexton kicked four penalties, his only miss from beyond halfway. By contrast, Wales only shot in anger was a second-half try disallowed, while Irelands superior discipline gave Leigh Halfpenny only one penalty kick, nearly an hour in. Wales, trying to become the first team to win the championship three successive times outright, promised to be direct and physical but was overwhelmed by a swarming defence and forced into multiple errors; 15 penalties and two free kicks, 16 missed tackles, 10 turnovers, two chargedowns. Wales paid for it with a first away loss in the championship since 2011, when it also last failed to score a try. Coach Warren Gatland, following Wales biggest Six Nations defeat in his seven-year tenure, called it his lowest moment. "We wont be thinking in terms of retaining the Six Nations, well be thinking about improving for our next game against France," he said. Gatland was taken aback by Irelands rugged defence, and his side conceding 17 penalties and free kicks. "I cant remember any occasion when they moved the ball through the backline at us," he said. "They dominated us up front and caused us a lot of problems. We have a target of 10 (penalties) or loss, so to give 17 away was simply unacceptable." After two successive wins for the first time since 2010, Ireland was in pole position for this years title, though it must win at least one of its two away games, against England next in two weeks, or France in the tournament closer next month. "Im not going to think too far ahead," Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said. "But its certainly a gathering of confidence for us." He said replacement lock Dan Tuohy may have a broken forearm. The 13-0 halftime score fairly reflected Irelands control. By the time Sexton kicked them 6-0 ahead in the 17th minute, Wales had conceded five penalties to one. The scrums were a mess for both sides but the lineout was an Irish pressure point, thanks to OConnell and Devin Toner. Even in the collisions, the Welsh came off second best. Scott Williams cut down Irish opposite Brian ODriscoll, who was winded for a bit, but it was Williams who soon walked off cradling his right shoulder. With Wales putting out a dozen Lions to Irelands nine, some big Welsh names were left in the shade: Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones by Cian Healy and Mike Ross in the front row, Sam Warburton and Dan Lydiate by Chris Henry and Peter OMahony in the loose, and George North and Alex Cuthbert by Andrew Trimble and Dave Kearney on the wings. Sexton, Paul OConnell, Toner were also Irish standouts. Wales coming off second-best everywhere was no better encapsulated than about half an hour in. Wales earned a lineout throw-in on the Irish 22, but Wales blew the lift and Toner didnt even have to jump to take the gift catch. Moments later, Wales turned over the ball near halfway and Sexton had the foresight to realize Halfpenny was up near the play, so he kicked down the line and No. 8 Jamie Heaslip forced Rhys Priestland to run the ball out. Given an attacking lineout five meters out, Toner took the catch, handed the ball to Henry, and the flanker was trailered in a fast rolling maul into the right corner for his first test try. Sexton converted from the touchline. After Sexton made it 16-0 in the 46th, Irish fans began singing, their confidence rising. When Halfpenny, on the occasion of him becoming the youngest Wales player to 50 caps at 25, finally kicked their first points, OMahony drew a second penalty for Ireland and Sexton delivered. Wales one try chance came after scrumhalf Mike Phillips tapped two consecutive penalties and replacement prop Rhodri Jones burrowed over but he was penalized for a double movement. In the last minute, Ireland expressed its power again when it rolled a maul from a lineout 20 metres out, which sucked in so many Welshman that replacement flyhalf Paddy Jackson ran in untouched, until Liam Williams dropped an elbow on his face. Jackson still had the last say, with the conversion. Pele Brazil . -- As much time as Adam Scott spends away from the PGA Tour, this might have been a good week to take off. Ramires Brazil . Hoefl-Rieschs exit — from the downhill course into safety nets, then airlifted from the slope by helicopter — left Anna Fenninger of Austria favourite to win her first giant crystal trophy one month after becoming an Olympic champion.LOS ANGELES -- Dan Haren wanted to pitch for a World Series contender next season, and he was eager to get back to his native Southern California. Haren found everything he wanted at Dodger Stadium. The right-hander agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Dodgers on Monday, adding another veteran arm to Los Angeles deep rotation. The deal includes $3 million in performance bonuses and a $10 million vesting option for 2015. Haren was eager for a change after spending last season in Washington, where he went 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA even with a strong finish to the season. He missed his wife and children during his year on the East Coast, and the 11-year veteran seized the chance to return home after spending the previous three seasons with the Angels. "My kids are growing up, and to have the opportunity to come back so close to home and pitch for a championship-level club, it couldnt have happened any better for me," Haren said. The three-time All-Star went 33-27 with the Angels, enduring a rough final season. He also got off to a slow start with the Nationals, but Haren regained enough of his form to make him attractive on the limited free-agent market. Haren will compete for a prominent spot in Los Angeles loaded rotation alongside Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu and injured veterans Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett. "We were looking for somebody that we could lean on to provide us starts and innings, and obviously had a good track record," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "Hes also somebody from the area, so he understands the Dodgers and has respect for the organization and everything. ... Were more than willing to take a chance on somebody with his makeup, with his ability, with his experience, and with his track record." If Haren pitches 180 innings for the Dodgers, hell have a $10 million player option for 2015. He had pitched at least 180 innings in nine straight seasons before last year in Washington, where he finished with 169 2-3 innings pitched after a stint on the disabled list. Haren will get $250,000 each in performance bonuses if he makes 24, 27 and 30 starts, with a $500,000 bonus for 32 starts. Hell get $250,000 each if he pitches 150, 160 and 170 innings, with a $500,000 bbonus for 180 and 190 innings. Dante Brazil. If he reaches 180 innings in 2014 and is traded before the season ends, then there is a player option for 2015 at $11 million. "Could I have gotten more in other places? Maybe, probably," Haren said. "But the Dodgers seemed like a good fit for me, and at this point in my career, it looks like the Dodgers priority is winning now, and thats my priority too." The 33-year-old has 129 career victories. The Dodgers will be the sixth major league team for Haren, who also pitched for St. Louis, Oakland and Arizona. Haren knows hell be competing with Billingsley and Beckett for a rotation spot, and the Dodgers are eager to see how it develops. "Josh we expect to be ready when camp opens, and Chad at some point during the season," Colletti said. "Im not going to close the door to any more starters. We certainly like the four we have, and we hope we get Josh back and we hope we get Chad back." Haren isnt sure how the rotation will shake out, but hes confident hell have a spot if he performs to his usual capabilities. Hes also eager to suit up for the NL West champions, who lost to the Cardinals in the league championship series. "The talent is second to none," Haren said. "Weve got stars at every position." Haren pitched alongside Greinke in 2012 with the Angels, and theyve stayed in regular contact. Greinke welcomed Haren to the Dodgers earlier in the day -- and then hit him up for fantasy football advice. After he realized last winter that he wouldnt return to the Angels, Haren and his wife kept their home in Irvine, where he lives in the same gated community as Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire. Haren isnt suggesting a carpool with Big Mac, but hes thinking about buying an electric vehicle to ease the pain of a daily commute from Orange County to Dodger Stadium. He also plans to get tips on the drive from utilityman Skip Schumaker, who also lives in the coastal area thats home to dozens of athletes, including Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant. "Ill get used to it," Haren said. "Ill get satellite radio or something. ... Or maybe I could (get a ride on) Kobes plane. With his extension today, he could probably afford to give me a few rides." cheap jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '