Ireland v Wales LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations
Ireland 31-7 Wales: Andy Farrell’s men were made to work hard by stubborn visitors but a bonus-point win moved them closer to a grand slam
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Grand slam-chasing Ireland rugby made it three bonus-point Six Nations wins from three against Wales rugby at the Aviva Stadium, racking up their 18th successive home triumph with a 31-7 victory.
The hosts dominated the first half and led by 17-0 at the break thanks to tries from Dan Sheehan and James Lowe. A penalty try for Wales and yellow card for Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne just after half-time threatened to make things interesting.
Ireland mostly retained control with 14 men, though a ragged second half remained competitive until Ciaran Frawley marked his first Six Nations start with a debut try on 67 minutes and Beirne added the bonus-point try at the death as Wales sank to their 10th defeat in their last 11 Six Nations game.
Ireland travel to England in two weeks before hoping to play for their second successive grand slam at home to Scotland on 16 March. Wales have back-to-back home games against France and Italy, with the latter now a potential wooden spoon decider.
Relive all the action from Dublin below:
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 65 minutes
That’s a lovely, clever kick from Jack Crowley, a low spiral along the right touchline about a metre short of a 50:22.
A pressure lineout for Elias, though...banker ball at the front. Tomos Williams hooks a clearance to Calvin Nash, who comes thumping back with interest into the Welsh half.
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 64 minutes
Ryan Elias is on at hooker for Wales, which unfortunately in this tournament has generally meant an errant lineout. And, yep, his dart doesn’t quite hit double tops.
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 62 minutes
So onwards we go with the margin just ten points, and Wales perhaps wondering where they might be if they hadn’t turned down a handful of kickable penalties.
Ireland make metres in Welsh territory once more but a flat pass hits a forward and travels forward. They are in a bit of a battle here.
A long clearance is made a good’un by an energetic chase from Rio Dyer, clinging on to James Lowe. Jamison Gibson-Park box kicks into touch.
NO TRY! Ireland 17-7 Wales, 60 minutes
Bundee Aki bashes over!
That’s more like the Ireland we know! They get out of second gear for the first time in this second half, accelerating as soon as Andrea Piardi’s outstretched arm grants them the freedom to play. James Lowe surges on the outside and connects with Jamison Gibson-Park running a good support line.
Sharp handling gets the ball out to Calvin Nash, who is just denied, but Aki forces through under the posts after ignoring support to his left.
Hang on, though - TMO Eric Gauzins has spotted a knock on! The transfer to Nash involved a brush off Robbie Henshaw’s wrist, and the Frenchman in the truck believes it has travelled forward. Piardi agrees - try chalked off, Wales’ scrum five metres from their own line!
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 58 minutes
Kelleher can’t quite connect with Baird at the tail of the resultant Irish lineout, but Baird’s long fingers claw it back in the vague direction of his backs, allowing Jack Crowley to scoop up the loose pieces. A no-arms tackle from Mackenzie Martin grants Ireland advantage.
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 56 minutes
Ronan Kelleher, James Ryan and Ryan Baird are introduced to the Ireland pack, too, as they once more lay the ramparts inside their own 22. Can Wales pierce that defensive line? Their carriers just haven’t quite had enough successful collisions to build momentum consistently today, but this is a bit better, replacement lock Will Rowlands putting himself about with typical biff.
But Ireland’s defensive structures are appropriately formed, and Wales just don’t have enough to drag them out of shape. A jackal, a whistle, a penalty Ireland’s way - it looked like hooker Kelleher in there over the top.
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 55 minutes
A raft of Irish changes, with the most notable being the introduction of Oli Jager, making a debut in Tadhg Furlong’s stead on the tighthead. A debut in the Welsh ranks, too - Mackenzie Martin replaces Alex Mann in the back row.
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 54 minutes
And that’s outstanding from Beirne! His first involvement after returning is to fight through the middle of the maul and pick the pocket of Elliot Dee at the back of it, stealing the ball as Dee looks to surge towards the line.
Wales are furious, but it all looked legal that time from the lock. Ireland clear.
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 53 minutes
Ireland fly up out of the line offside. Into the corner Sam Costelow kicks, with Tadhg Beirne returning from his yellow card before the Welsh throw.
Ireland 17-7 Wales, 52 minutes
It won’t be too long now until Ireland are restored to full complement but they’ll have some defending to do before then - Joe McCarthy’s contact on the Welsh jumper at the lineout brings about another penalty and further Welsh inroads up the right touchline.
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