Wales claimed a record third Six Nations Grand Slam during coach Warren Gatland's reign Saturday as Gareth Anscombe kicked 20 points to help beat an ill-disciplined Ireland 25-7.

The stunning victory extended Wales' winning streak to 14 matches, moving them to second in the World Rugby standings and handing Gatland's team a massive psychological boost looking ahead to this year's Rugby World Cup in Japan.

The Grand Slam was the 12th achieved by Wales, who opened this campaign with a 24-19 victory over France before following up with wins over Italy (26-15), England (21-13) and Scotland (18-11).         

It was the third under Gatland in his 50th and final Wales game in European rugby's showcase tournament following Grand Slams in 2008 and 2012, and a first Six Nations title since 2013.

Anscombe, who scored six penalty goals and a conversion, said it was difficult to put into words what the victory meant.

"We've worked incredibly hard over the last year," said Anscombe. "We have a habit of winning. It's a special group and we worked hard for each other. For me it's a day and weekend to remember for Welsh rugby."

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones admitted the team had "just put a big target" on their backs going into the World Cup, adding that there was "still potential in us."

Ireland captain Rory Best called Wales "a very determined side and hard to beat here. We couldn’t get footing in the game. Our set-piece wasn’t up to the standard that we expect. They put a lot of pressure on us and we struggled to respond."

The tone of what turned out to be an electrifying start was set from the off.

Gargantuan winger George North followed up on Anscombe's kick-off, catching Jacob Stockdale in possession and driving him into touch.

The crowd, barely in their seats after stirring anthems, were quickly galvanized as Ken Owens peeled off the attacking lineout, Hadleigh Parkes gathering Anscombe's dink over the top to touch down within two breathtaking minutes; the flyhalf converted.

Kiwi-born Parkes, who made his Super Rugby debut alongside Anscombe for the Auckland Blues before relocating to Wales in 2014, was then on hand to produce a superb try-saving tackle on Stockdale in what turned out to be a disappointing Ireland's best chance of the game.

World Rugby player of the year Johnny Sexton caught the Welsh defense flatfooted with a clever raking cross-kick; Stockdale expertly gathering and shrugging off Gareth Davies as he steamed down the line before Parkes hauled him down with the line beckoning.

Influential playmaker Dan Biggar made an earlier-than-expected entry after North went off with an injured left wrist, Anscombe slotting in at full-back with Liam Williams moving to the wing.

When Sexton was pinged for a ruck infringement in the 18th minute, Anscombe made no mistake with the penalty to stretch the lead for Wales.

Sexton spurned a shot at goal himself after a rare spell of Irish pressure, but Adam Beard launched himself into the attacking Irish maul off the line-out, Justin Tipuric isolating Irish skipper Rory Best and forcing a knock-on.

Things weren't going Ireland's way, experienced No. 8 CJ Stander then losing control of a quick tap and go to lose all momentum, coach Joe Schmidt left holding his head in despair.

Anscombe increased the home side's lead to 16 points with two further penalties just before half-time, ironically the same lead France held over Wales after the first 40 minutes in the opening match of this Six Nations campaign.

Alun Wyn Jones, equalling Gethin Jenkins as the most capped Welshman of all-time with 134 caps (including nine matches for the British and Irish Lions), was to the fore as the go-to line-out jumper and around the park with ball in hand.

And it was he who held up James Ryan early in the second period to force an attacking scrum in another blow to Ireland as Schmidt's men tried to find a foothold.

Cian Healy then gave away a soft penalty with an off-the-ball hit on opposite number Tomas Francis, Anscombe hitting an elementary three points to take Wales out to 19-0.

Further ill-discipline handed Anscombe a fifth shot at goal, and he made no mistake. As Sexton misfired from flyhalf in a game he will want to forget, so the mistakes kept coming for his team.

Winger Keith Earls badly misjudged a defensive backtracking touchdown to again hand Wales the advantage, and when replacement Andrew Porter strayed offside at a ruck, again in front of the posts, Anscombe gleefully stepped up to take the three.

There was a late consolation try for Ireland from Jordan Larmour, converted by Jack Carty, as the team avoided a first whitewash since 1990.

It was a fitting end for Wales, and three factors led to the results:

Hadleigh Parkes

Hadleigh Parkes may not garner the headlines that others in the Welsh backline do but the 31-year-old New Zealand-born center deserves to share them if only for his contribution in the opening 10 minutes. He ran on smartly to touch down fellow Kiwi Gareth "Chicken" Anscombe's chip inside with the referee playing penalty advantage. 

"Chicken put it through nicely for me and I had a shot to nothing and took it," Parkes said. 

He then produced a brilliant try-saving tackle minutes later to deny Irish winger Jacob Stockdale. Had the Ulster man scored then it could have been a very different outcome but those two moments set the tone for the rest of the game, calming any nerves his side may have had and at the same time sewing doubt in Irish minds.

Johnny Sexton

Former Irish great Tony Ward had told AFP he did not think the World Rugby Player of the Year's grumpiness on the pitch helped bolster Irish morale. 

By the end of the first half the volcano was threatening to boil over even in the pouring rain. Conceding a penalty Sexton hurled the ball back in frustration, with some choice words sending the ball on its way. 

He was not alone in making basic errors, however, Sexton and halfback partner Conor Murray, rated as one of the most feared half-back partnerships in world rugby, set the tone for the rest of the team. 

Jones Sets The Standard

Labeled by former Welsh great Jonathan Davies after the Ireland game as perhaps the greatest player to don the Welsh shirt, the 33-year-old was immense as captain and player against the Irish. 

Ever-present with the ball in hand or causing turnovers or stealing lineouts—where the Irish thought they would dominate—he led his men with gusto. Welsh fans held their breath in the early stages when he lay on the pitch having treatment but the sturdy fellow he is, shook it off and stayed to the end. Softly-spoken and modest he allows his actions to speak for themselves. 

"He deserves all the accolades he gets," said Gatland. "He is a great person and a great player."

And Wales are champions.

© Agence France-Presse