Ireland's red card response pleases Easterby

Ireland have won 19 of their past 21 Six Nations games

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby was pleased by how his side found their "way back into the game" to beat Wales and secure the Six Nations Triple Crown despite Garry Ringrose's dismissal at the Principality Stadium.

The centre was shown a 20-minute red card in the 34th minute for a high tackle on Wales' Ben Thomas.

Easterby said Ringrose was "far from a dirty player" and felt the decision on whether to show him a yellow or red "could have gone either way".

In surviving the period with a man disadvantage, and coming back from 18-10 down to win 27-18 after Bundee Aki came on to restore their numerical parity, Easterby feels his side will benefit from victory in "very different circumstances".

"I was pleased with how the lads responded to that," he said.

"Even though we conceded at the end of the first half, we found our way back into the game when we were down a man and Bundee coming on made a huge impact."

Ireland remain on course for a Grand Slam and in their bid to become the first side to win three successive Six Nations titles. They will host France in Dublin on 8 March before finishing their campaign away to Italy a week later.

"We would have certainly taken this a few weeks back," added Easterby.

"The mark of this group, the players in particular, they always want to get better and keep striving to chase down things which maybe other teams can't do.

"That's going to continue to drive the team over the next few weeks towards France."

Easterby said number eight Jack Conan was "struggling to open up" with a tight back but that otherwise his side had seemed to come through the game unscathed.

Captain Caelan Doris missed the game with a knee injury but Ireland are hopeful he will be available to face France.