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SUPER SUB: Priestland holds nerve for Wales while Johnson sparks Sunderland comeback

The opening weekend of the Six Nations was notable for an impressive performance off the bench on Sunday as Wales were minutes away from upsetting Ireland on their own turf.

Rhys Priestland had to come on for the injured Dan Biggar at fly-half and he held his nerve in a raucous atmosphere to slot three penalties and a conversion in a tense 16-16 Dublin draw.

In Aviva Premiership action, JJ Hanrahan replaced Stephen Myler at fly-half for Northampton with 18 minutes left and kicked a late penalty before converting Ben Foden’s last-gasp try for a famous Saints win at Harlequins.

Honourable mention too for debutant Lucy Demaine, who came on for England late on in their Six Nations game up in Scotland to round off an inspired all-round team display and opening 32-0 victory.

Switching to football, Adam Johnson always seems to pop up in bench cameo roles and make a big impact with the game at Anfield no different on Saturday as Sunderland looked out for the count.

He replaced new signing Jan Kirchhoff with 24 minutes left and snuck a free-kick under Simon Mignolet on 82 minutes leaving Jermain Defoe to cap off a stunning comeback one minute from time.

It still leaves Sam Allardyce’s side second from bottom, nevertheless only four points separates them from fierce rivals Newcastle and safety which is an achievable target with spirit like this.

Dele Alli hasn’t been used to starting matches on the sidelines, but his dizzy spell in midweek meant he was rested as a precaution with Spurs chasing down Leicester at the top of the Premier League table.

Watford were the visitors this time around at White Hart Lane and they somehow managed to get to the hour mark without conceding, despite Tottenham battering their goal and keeping former Spur Heurelho Gomes busy.

Alli though, on for Nacer Chadli, found space on the left of the area and delivered an exquisite ball across the face of goal with the outside of his boot to set up Kieran Trippier for the tap-in winner.

Down in the Championship, Kaiyne Woolery struck an injury-time winner for Bolton against Rotherham to wrap up three precious points in their bid to escape relegation.

Woolery entered the fray with nine minutes left and tucked home a right-footed shot in the box to notch his first for the Trotters, which leaves them three points from safety currently.

Meanwhile down at Loftus Road, Dutchman Abdenasser El Khayati came on for Conor Washington with 10 minutes left and set up Matt Phillips for QPR’s winner over Ipswich that moves them into 13th.

League One action saw substitute Anthony Wordsworth make a big difference at Roots Hall as he pocketed the first on 82 minutes for Southend against Colchester en route to a 3-0 victory that puts them seventh in the table.

Sam Kelly came off the bench for Port Vale to edge a dour encounter at Vale Park, his introduction 10 minutes from time resulting in a sweet right-foot shot four minutes later that saw off Coventry.

On the continent, Mateo Kovacic was a welcome face for Real Madrid fans on the road at Granada. With the game limping to a 1-1 draw, the Croatian set up former Spurs midfielder and compatriot Luka Modric for a crucial winner five minutes from time.

The edgy win means Real are now four points off leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand with local rivals Atletico a point ahead of the Bernabeu giants in second.

Over in Serie A, a rollercoaster of a game early on Sunday saw Inter hit back from 3-1 down at Hellas Verona to snatch a point that keeps them in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

Croatian Ivan Perisic replaced Felipe Melo at half-time and turned the game back in Inter’s favour. He set up Mauro Icardi to get one back on 61 minutes, then grabbed the leveller with 12 minutes left.

Dutch action saw unlikely Europa League hopefuls NEC Nijmegen nick a crucial point in their quest to keep pace with Heracles and Feyenoord in the race for third and fourth.

Andrew Driver had given De Graafschap the lead in the 11th minute, however it needed the introduction of Austrian Marcel Ritzmaier for the visitors to secure the Eredivisie draw with 12 minutes left on the clock.

This is a weekly column for Yahoo Sport UK

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