Alun-Wyn Jones of Wales wins a line-out against Ireland during their Six Nations match at Croke Park, Dublin, yesterday. Wales won 16-12. -AP

LONDON (AP):

WALES ARE still on course for a shock Grand Slam in rugby's Six Nations after rallying to win 16-12 at Ireland yesterday.

While England are out of contention after a 15-9 loss at Scotland, Wales came from 6-0 down in Dublin for a fourth straight victory and secure the Triple Crown title for beating the other British Isles sides.

The pre-tournament outsiders, led by former Ireland coach Warren Gatland, now need victory over France next week to complete just their second Grand Slam in 30 years.

In the driving seat

"Wales are now in the driving seat for the title as they are playing at home," Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan said. "Their defence is very good as well. Now, they're much harder to break down than before."

France have first to play Italy today and need a resounding win to stay in serious contention for the title they won the past two years. Ronan O'Gara put Ireland 6-0 ahead at Croke Park with a penalty each side of a missed effort from in front of the posts by Stephen Jones - Wales' first missed kick of the entire tournament.

Shane Horgan, who only came into the team when Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy were ruled out injured, then almost got the first try midway through the first half. Horgan came in from the right wing and grounded the ball in the tackle just short of the line.

"We started very well and got the dynamics right," O'Sullivan said. "We went 6-0 up and had Shane Horgan's try been given we would have been 13-0 up. For us, it wasn't meant to be and Wales bounced back."

Having escaped going further behind, Wales began competing up front more effectively and employing occasional bursts from the backs to break out down the wings.

One of those breaks ended with the award of a penalty, which Jones kicked for 6-3, and another almost brought a try, but Lee Byrne was barged into touch just short after taking an outside pass by Tom Shanklin.

Wales drew level in the 46th through another penalty by Jones and, with scrumhalf Mike Phillips back on the field after a 10-minute spell in the sin bin, then went ahead for the first time.

Shane Williams beat a tackle by Andrew Trimble and crossed in the corner to draw level with Gareth Thomas at the top of Wales' all-time try scoring charts with 40.

Counterattack

Martin Williams was then ejected for 10 minutes for disrupting an Ireland counterattack with a deliberate trip on Eoin Reddan, giving O'Gara another kick at goal to make it 13-9 and bring the home side to within a single score.

O'Gara trimmed the deficit to one point, but Ireland's comeback was hit with 10 minutes left when captain Brian O'Driscoll was carried off with a right leg injury, and Williams returned to action to help Wales close out the match.

Ireland replacement Bernard Jackman then conceded a penalty in front of the posts with a shoulder charge on the sitting Ryan Jones, and James Hook made it 16-12.

England were coming off a surprise win at France but never looked like scoring a try as Scotland dominated the match with fierce tackling and accurate kicking.