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 0-0 Wales, 1 minute
A lovely start from Dan Biggar, throwing a delectable little lofted kick perfectly into an open piece of pasture between Irish bodies. A Welsh hand gets to it as it tumbles back to earth, but it strays forward from Johnny McNicholl. First scrum.
Solid from Ireland, and they’ll play away from the base. BUndee Aki carries strongly.
KICK OFF!
Jaco Peyper checks in with the skippers and his colleagues on the touchline. England’s Stuart Terheege is in the TMO truck ready to deal with anything that requires a further look.
A final word from Peyper to Dan Biggar, who will kick everything off. The 2022 Six Nations is underway!
Amhrán na bhFiann and Ireland’s Call
A few bowed heads and covered eyes among the Irish squad as they sing “The Soldier’s Song”. Mack Hansen has learned the anthems of his new home quickly, no doubt drawing on his Cork-born mother.
Spectators sway to the rhythm of “Ireland’s Call”. The first anthems of the 2022 Six Nations are done - time for the first action.
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
The Welsh players are in typically strong vocal form, Josh Adams bearing his tonsils as he voices the opening lines of “Land of Our Fathers” with gusto.
Wyn Jones closes his eyes for a meaty last salvo, looking to the heavens as the final note plays.
Ireland vs Wales
We take a moment to recognise rugby against racism, with the players and crowd applauding the announcement over the public address system.
There’s no pre-match handshakes with Michael D Higgins, presumably owing to the pandemic, but the Irish president smiles warmly in a rather groovy tie from the posh seats.
The ground observes a minute’s silence in memory of Tom Kiernan, the legendary Irish player, coach and administrator, who passed away this week at the age of 83.
Out come the teams
The suppliers of vertical flamethrowers must do roaring trade during the Six Nations, with their warming presence now ubiquitous alongside the pitch as the two sets of matchday 23s make their way onto the Aviva Stadium surface. A few Daffodil-ed heads among the Irish sea of supporters.
Six Nations has all the ingredients of a championship for the ages
Six Nations has all the ingredients of a championship for the ages
With crowds back and five viable contenders to clinch glory, Kieran Crowley’s prediction that it ‘could be the most competitive and open Six Nations in history’ does not look so far-fetched
Ireland vs Wales
Louis Rees-Zammit has got some pretty heavy strapping on his right ankle and has a rather tender stomp of the floor as he engages Gareth Anscombe in conversation. He looks ok, but that might be something to monitor for one of the stars of last season’s Six Nations.
Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is not far away...
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