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.
The coaches have a chat with ITV
“The aim is to keep improving game on game,” Andy Farrell, who loves to deploy the straight bat, comments on Ireland’s hopes for the tournament.
“For the lads who are sat in the changing rooms it is just about ourselves and bringing the best out of each other. We are so grateful to have the crowd back. We felt the connection in November. Hopefully we can build on that.”
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac adds: “After naming the squad it has been work as normal with the group we have got. We have to make a big start.
“We think Josh Adams can make a difference for us at 13 without George North there. Hopefully we can get the ball into his hands today.”
Ten on ten
It isn’t too often that we see two fly-half captains for a Six Nations fixture, but Dan Biggar and Johnny Sexton will be the men in the ear of Jaco Peyper this afternoon. They had a fun little joust in the introductory portion of last week’s Six Nations launch - they are cut from similarly persuasive, persistent cloth to taste Peyper’s patience.
Player to Watch – Taine Basham
Ireland’s front eight is beautifully rounded and were so impressive against the All Blacks in the autumn, but Wales have plenty of ability in their pack, too. The fertile land of outstanding back-rowers continues to provide Wayne Pivac with almost obscene depth at the back of the scrum and the Wales coach’s decision to pair Ellis Jenkins and Taine Basham is an intriguing one. Two opensides suggests that Wales will compete at the breakdown to try and disrupt the tempo that Ireland utilised so well in the autumn. Referee Jaco Peyper may have a busy afternoon sifting through the ruck muck.
This is a Six Nations debut for Basham and it is a mark of how the young flanker starred in the autumn campaign that he displaces Jenkins to the blindside. An explosive carrier and refined jackaler, former Wales skipper Sam Warburton has long-tipped Basham for a bright future and the Dragons openside has the sort of confidence in confrontation that should be useful for an occasion like this.
Player to Watch - Andrew Porter
Recognising the need to get both Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong in to the starting side, Ireland switched the former back to loosehead for the back half of 2021, squeezing in two multi-faceted prop idols into a formidable, familiar Leinster front row.
Expect both Porter and Furlong to be prominent in the loose - much is demanded of both as distributors, carriers and decoys - but scrummaging will also, of course, be key, and Porter will have to stand firm against the rock solid Tomas Francis to give Ireland stable set-piece ball.
Back on the road
The Six Nations really wasn’t the same last year without the travelling masses, and it is pleasing that the pandemic has eased such that full sets of spectators will be allowed at (fingers crossed) every game. There is an early smattering of Welsh fans inside the Aviva, no doubt relishing a first chance to travel with their side since March 2020.
Player to Watch - Josh Adams
The selection of Josh Adams at outside centre is a fascinating one from Wayne Pivac. The 26-year-old, so effective on the wing, has done it occasionally for Cardiff but faces a stiff test against an Ireland side that test defenders in the 13 channel more than just about any other nation. Adams is sharp in every sense but his decision making will be tested and he will have to front up physically – his defensive involvements will be increased hugely, and Garry Ringrose and Johnny Sexton’s combination will present varied threats.
“They are different players, but if he has any sort of impact [the injured George North], we will be very pleased,” Pivac explained of his decision. “George hadn’t played there much either, and he made a pretty good fist of it.
“It is a position where you need a lot of pace, not only with the ball but also without it.
“Josh is strong in the contact area and a good defender. We are excited to see him go. Hopefully, the conditions are such that we can move the ball around and get it into his hands in good positions on the park.”
Wales boss Wayne Pivac backs Josh Adams to thrive in the centres
Adams will make his first Test match appearance in the centre after 35 Wales starts as a wing
Ireland’s outstanding autumn
It was a great autumn for Ireland, who rather discovered their identity under Andy Farrell. With an up-tempo, frenzied attack adding extra potency to strong offensive structures, the victory over New Zealand was a performance that spoke volumes about the growth of the side. The crowd’s return to the Aviva Stadium was an obvious help, too, of course - how much impact might the 50,000 or so filtering in make today?
Much of this side are of the perfect age profile to peak for the 2023 World Cup and they will be looking to continue to build through this Six Nations campaign. Week Two brings a potentially pivotal trip to Paris and there’s a visit to Twickenham to come, too, so Ireland can’t really afford an opening slip up.
Player to Watch - Mack Hansen
It’s been quite the six months or so for Mack Hansen since the 23-year-old arrived at Connacht at the start of the 2021-22 season. Eligible for Ireland though his mother, born in Cork, Hansen came from the Brumbies with a reputation as a player of real potential but he has fulfilled his international hopes more swiftly than perhaps even he might have hoped.
A shrewd, rounded operator out-wide, Hansen is a versatile and cultured footballer who has shown plenty of confidence since turning up in Galway. A different sort of player to the absent James Lowe, Hansen’s experience at fifteen should aid him under the high ball and he will also offer an option as an alternative first or second receiver, adding an extra option to the broad Irish attack.
“He is a smart rugby player,” said Andy Farrell of the debutant. “He has got all the skill, he is nice and calm in his manner on the field as well. He tends to be really chilled, sees pictures nice and early because he is ahead of the game.
“He makes things happen, he knows how to give himself involved in the game. He’s got a great feel and a good skillset across the board. It’s tough when you come into international camps but the ones that hit the ground running and end up getting a good few caps straight away are the guys that are able to pick things up and Mack has certainly done that.”
Andy Farrell expects Ireland debutant Mack Hansen to hit the ground running
Australia-born Hansen has been rewarded for a string of standout displays for Connacht.
Wales set for a fast start?
England had Jess Ennis-Hill in camp ahead of their campaign, and Wales have also been drawing upon the insights of an Olympic champion:
Wales buoyed by Usain Bolt message as defending champions target flying start
Wales are aiming for a first Six Nations win at the Aviva Stadium since 2012.
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