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.
Scotland 20-17 England, 83 minutes
Another reset! Ben O’Keeffe cries for England to use it just as Joe Marler begins to get a nudge on and again he sees nothing illegal in either team’s effort.
Scotland 20-17 England, 82 minutes
Oh, what drama! Now O’Keeffe summons the two front rows for a chat to explain what he wants. “The first team to keep it up will be rewarded,” the referee explains...
Scotland 20-17 England, 81 minutes
England’s back row and Ben Youngs barrack for the penalty as the scrum goes down again. Another reset! “Both players on this side went down,” referee O’Keeffe says in an attempt to quiet unwanted advisors. England to feed again.
Scotland 20-17 England, 80 minutes
The clock is in the red, the scrum goes down............
Reset! Ben O’Keeffe holds his nerve. England seemed to be going forward, but that potentially came after the collapse and Scotland appeared to do little wrong.
Scotland 20-17 England, 79 minutes
Chaos! The ball squirts out of a ruck and Ben Youngs can only tap the ball on to one of his front-rowers, who is stripped of the ball. All of England’s players are onside, and Maro Itoje forces Scotland to knock-on just before a teammate’s own fumble has Scottish players spreading their arms in appeal.
England scrum, 30 metres out.
Scotland 20-17 England, 78 minutes
Stolen! Scotland get their jumper up in front of the lifted Englishman and have the ball. They kick long. England possession with time ticking away.
Scotland 20-17 England, 77 minutes
There is an anxious energy to the crowd after that overturned penalty. Scotland settle their fans’ nerves by claiming a potentially troublesome box kick from Ben Youngs, but then are pinged for holding on at the breakdown.
England elect not to try a longish penalty and instead kick for the right touchline. George Ford fails to find the 22. Pressure on Jamie George’s throw.
Reversed! Scotland 20-17 England, 76 minutes
About as clear as they come. Tom Curry was in perfect jackal position and opposite number Hamish Watson has levered him out of the way using the England captain’s neck. Penalty to England, who are restored to fifteen as Sam Simmonds returns. Jamie George is on permanently for the guilty Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Scotland 20-17 England, 75 minutes
Advantage for Scotland! Sam Skinner makes a sizeable dent in the England line and Scotland play with momentum, stalled only by a stray England tackler on the wrong side. Their presence is emphasised by Ben White’s flailing as he tries to pick the ball up at the base, and Scotland will have a penalty just left of centre.
Or will they? TMO Ben Whitehouse has spotted a neck roll...
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