Ireland vs Wales LIVE: Six Nations rugby final score and result as Andrew Conway strikes twice
Follow all the reaction live from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin
Ireland eased past reigning champions Wales 29-7 in the opening game of the Six Nations championship in Dublin on Saturday, picking up where they left off in November with a comfortable victory.
Ireland looked every inch one of the tournament favourites when they roared out of the blocks in the same manner that toppled New Zealand three months ago but still needed a second half burst to put the injury-hit visitors out of sight.
“It’s never going to be perfect in your first game but we’ve got everything to play for and we know there’s a massive test ahead next week,” captain Johnny Sexton said in a pitchside interview, referring to next week’s trip to France.
It took Sexton’s men just two minutes to take control. An attacking lineout that has proved so lethal of late was the starting point again with Bundee Aki crossing in the corner, aided by a nice looped pass from debutant winger Mack Hansen.
It felt like only a matter of time before the hosts would score again from hand but a couple of sloppy errors - including Sexton uncharacteristically missing two out of three shots at goal - invited Wayne Pivac’s side back into the game
A predictable attack from a side shorn of 680 caps through injuries to the likes of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric, George North and Taulupe Faletau was comfortably contained by Ireland’s choke tackle defence.
While a better side could punish Ireland later in the tournament for not being clinical enough to extend their lead beyond 10-0 at halftime, Andy Farrell’s side returned in a much more ruthless mood after the interval.
Andrew Conway put Ireland out of sight with two tries either side of a yellow card for makeshift Wales centre Josh Adams, first using every millimetre of his 1.8 metre frame to reach for the corner and simply collecting a pass to add another.
Centre Garry Ringrose snaked through the porous Welsh defence on the hour to make sure of the winning bonus point.
Ireland emptied their bench and with that lost a little bit of concentration, allowing Wales flanker Taine Basham in for a late try that ensured the visitors did not add a scoreless outing to an otherwise miserable afternoon.
The win extended Ireland’s winning run to nine games but they will face an altogether more difficult test in Paris if they are to make it 10 in a row.
Ireland 10-0 Wales, 30 minutes
After a false scrum start, Tomos Williams feeds the scrum and quickly extracts the ball, spotting Josh van der Flier slow off the scrum and darting into the half-space.
Wales go flat to the line with forward carriers but miss their cleanout. Jack Conan is over-the-top of the ball in an illustration straight out of a turnover textbook. Holding on - penalty to Ireland.
Ireland 10-0 Wales, 28 minutes
Andrew Conway is again the high-man onto another Irish kick coming down from the heavens. The winger is so good as a kick chaser, but can’t quite gather this one.
Wales then produce a version of their own, which Ireland lose forward. I think a swirling Dublin wind may be causing a few problems.
Ireland 10-0 Wales, 26 minutes
This is all a little inaccurate now. Another poor pass from Jamison Gibson-Park and the ball flies from Bundee Aki’s shin, and Wales have attacking ball.
That’s better! Lovely handling from the Welsh line, with a delicious miss ball from Josh Adams putting the ball in space as Johnny McNicholl canters along the left. He’s cut down by Mack Hansen.
Wales play back towards the centre but it goes awry once more. A group of forwards get themselves in a tangle and it will be another Ireland scrum feed.
Ireland 10-0 Wales, 24 minutes
A half-juggle from Beirne as he arrives on to a slightly misplaced Jamison Gibson-Park pass. The scrum-half then gets underneath his box kick, but Mack Hansen stalls his sprint to time a leap and challenge, forcing Aaron Wainwright to knock on.
Ireland 10-0 Wales, 23 minutes
Stolen by Wales! Adam Beard claws it back after Ireland fumble in the air. Good chance for the Welsh to get to work.
Space on the left is shutdown by the Irish drift, but Wales come back to the right nicely. Back inside, Ryan Elias has a rumble, but he drives straight into constricting Irish arms. Tadhg Beirne locks around the ball, Josh van der Flier and Johnny Sexton pile in to lend their limbs to the choke and Elias is held up on the 22. Ireland scrum.
Ireland 10-0 Wales, 22 minutes
Right - what can Wales do? First extended midfield possession for the visitors and they meander initially, though Taine Basham’s carry is more forthright. The flanker arrives with requisite punch and makes a dent.
It stalls thereafter, though, and with bodies tied up in rucks Dan Biggar will go to the boot. He drills an excellent grubber towards the corner and Ireland will throw the lineout inside their own 22.
PENALTY! IRELAND 10-0 Wales (Johnny Sexton penalty, 20 minutes)
Third time lucky. A simpler one for Sexton who wastes little energy sending it through, and the fly-half goes beyond 500 Six Nations points.
Ireland 7-0 Wales, 18 minutes
Gorgeous! Tadhg Furlong throws a blind pass right at the line with perfect weight for an onrushing Johnny Sexton, who bursts through a great fissure and sends Andrew Conway onwards to five metres out. Brilliant from the wickedly skillful tighthead to take advantage of the space left as Wales bite in on Ireland’s trademark forward pod.
Wales are again offside after the linebreak and Ireland can play with advantage. Stabbed through...grounded again by Louis Rees-Zammit as Irish hands lurk. Back for the penalty.
Sexton will have a third go at extending the lead.
Ireland 7-0 Wales, 17 minutes
The Welsh scrum is also stable and they clear long. Hugo Keenan hoists an up-and-under in return and Andrew Conway snatches it from leaping hands. Jamison Gibson-Park’s kick is flatter off the left foot, and it bounces awkwardly on Louis Rees-Zammit, who is forced into a hurried grounding in goal as Mack Hansen attempts to knife in. Goalline drop out
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