THERE will be no post-World Cup grand slam for Wales in 2016 but Warren Gatland’s men will have another title tilt after starting their RBS 6 Nations with a 16-16 draw in Ireland.

Wales showed determination to rally from 13-0 down but will probably be kicking themselves after being wasteful with ball in hand. A draw in Dublin is by no means a disaster but they must up their game in the coming weeks.

The problem that hindered their World Cup, their failure to turn pressure inside the 22 into points, remained and they will need to show a sharper edge when welcoming Scotland to Cardiff on Saturday.

It was a gripping encounter and a much better game that the two fixtures on sluggish Saturday and Wales can be reasonably content at leaving the Aviva Stadium with a share of the spoils.

Gatland had been quick to downplay reports of an Irish injury crisis and issued a pre-tournament warning by saying: “One of the things about the Irish is that they like to go in with people writing them off”.

The hosts certainly started sharply and Wales would probably have taken a draw when 13 points down after half an hour and with Dan Biggar on the touchline with a strapped ankle.

However, after getting back on level terms, there was the feel of it being a wasted opportunity. With a bit more composure and spark in the closing stages Wales would have been in with a great chance of repeating their 2008 and 2012 clean sweeps.

Wales enjoyed plenty of possession and chances inside enemy territory yet they trailed 13-0 after half an hour against an Irish side who are notoriously hard to chase down.

It was enough to bring back unwanted memories of the Wallabies and Springboks at Twickenham with Gatland’s team hammering at the door only to fail to get over the whitewash.

Ireland took command thanks to a pair of penalties by Jonathan Sexton and the fly-half added the extras after a predatory finish by his half-back partner Conor Murray after hard carries by centre Robbie Henshaw, number eight Jamie Heaslip and prop Jack McGrath.

Yet Wales rallied and the game was back in the balance at half-time.

First Rhys Priestland bisected the posts with a penalty after a dangerous tackle on Liam Williams and then the scrum – and wonderful skill by number eight Taulupe Faletau – earned a seven-pointer.

Wales got within five metres thanks to a neat grubber by centre Jonathan Davies and a good chase by flanker Justin Tipuric, who forced Andrew Trimble to dot down over his line.

The heavy boys then took over and French referee Jerome Garces must have been contemplating a penalty try after Welsh dominance but the Newport Gwent Dragons ace saved him the bother by wriggling over after a wonderful carry when the ball popped out the back.

Priestland converted and after being on the brink, Wales had showed composure to get right back in it at 13-10 as they headed for their changing room.

And the visitors came roaring back out after the break with a bout of purposeful pressure earning a shot at goal that Priestland took to level it up after 46 minutes.

That sparked Ireland back into life and it took two sterling defensive stands by Wales inside their 22 to stay at 13-13 as the hour approached.

It was squeaky bum time with Gatland hoping his experienced bench – who boasted a whopping 364 caps – could make the difference.

One mistake or one piece of quality would be key and Wales hooker Scott Baldwin blew his chance to be a hero in the final quarter when he dropped a simple pass when the visitors had an overlap down the left.

Then down that very same flank it took a wonderful cover tackle by Tom James on opposite number Trimble to deny the hosts after a searing break by Sexton.

It was tense and gripping rugby with discipline crucial as the clock ticked down – with both sides paying the penalty.

First Ireland failed to roll away with Priestland nudging Wales in front 16-13 only for an offside from a woeful Lloyd Williams box kick to allow Sexton to level.

Priestland had the chance to be the hero only to horribly pull a trick drop goal chance with two minutes left and both sides had to settle for a point apiece.

Ireland: S Zebo, A Trimble, J Payne, R Henshaw, K Earls (D Kearney 71), J Sexton (I Madigan 75), C Murray, J McGrath, R Best (captain, S Cronin 75), N White (T Furlong 63), D Toner, M McCarthy (D Ryan 63), CJ Stander, T O’Donnell (R Ruddock 48), J Heaslip.

Scorers: try – C Murray; conversion – J Sexton; penalties – J Sexton (3)

Wales: Liam Williams, G North, J Davies, J Roberts, T James, D Biggar (R Priestland 21), G Davies (Lloyd Williams 71), R Evans (G Jenkins 53), S Baldwin (K Owens 63), S Lee (T Francis 58), L Charteris (B Davies 61), A W Jones, S Warburton (D Lydiate 72), J Tipuric, T Faletau.

Scorers: try – T Faletau; conversion – R Priestland; penalties – R Priestland

Referee: Jerome Garces (France)