Wales were locked at 6-6 on 48 minutes with Mike Phillips in the sin-bin when Henson produced a monster boot. And Wales centre Shanklin believes Henson’s 60-metre punt changed the match at Croke Park.
Shanklin said: “It was one hell of a kick by Gav, it turned defence into attack and was exactly what we needed. The way we pulled together when we went down to 14 men twice was terrific.We managed to also get points and we played brilliantly.
“We could hear the fans began singing bread of heaven and it really lifted us towards the end when it was a nervy atmosphere. When the clock hit 80 it was a huge relief.”
Just minutes later, wing wizard Shane Williams crossed for the match-winning try to equal Gareth Thomas’s all-time Wales record of 40 tries. Now only France stand between Wales repeating their Grand Slam success of 2005.
Shanklin added: “We’re delighted with the Triple Crown. It’s an extremely hard place to come and win. Only France have managed it so it’s brilliant. It was nice to get one over on Ireland.
“It was brilliant to win the Grand Slam in 2005 and I’m desperate to do it again.”
