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.
Officials
Ben O’Keeffe has a little bit of history with England, with the RFU forced to apologise to the New Zealander after their 2020 Six Nations game against Wales ended with some controversial comments from Eddie Jones about the referee. He’ll have the whistle this afternoon, aided by TMO Ben Whitehouse if need be, and Nic Berry and Craig Evans have the flags.
Marcus Smith sweeps back his shock of black hair...
Anthems
We take a moment to recognise rugby against racism, and then it is time for the anthems.
A brass band accompanies the England players for “God Save the Queen”, sang in a slightly disjointed manner.
And then the lone piper leads everyone in to “Flower of Scotland”. Tears in the eyes of Sione Tuipulotu as he looks to the heavens, and a couple of other Scots are overcome with emotion as the piper falls silent for the second verse.
It is a stirring sound, the more than 60,000 Scottish fans inside Murrayfield joining in song. How good it is to have fans back for this great competition.
Scotland arrive
Steely focus on the faces of Stuart Hogg and his cohort as they are roared forth by their spectators.
Scotland vs England
Broad smiles on the faces of many of the spectators, plenty of whom look to be well lubricated after an afternoon in the Edinburgh taverns. It is one of the great days, England’s visit to Edinburgh, a city coming truly too life from the early hours until late of night.
Out of the tunnel Tom Curry jogs, leading England out for the first time. The youngest England captain since Will Carling looks pumped up, slapping hands with Nick Isiekwe as he bobs his head to the music.
The BBC pundits have their say
“The weather is actually as good as we could expect,” says World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson with his English perspective. “I think it is going to be incredibly tight.”
“It will come down to fine margins, it will come down to discipline,” predicts ex-Scotland skipper John Barclay. “You’ve got to tick all the boxes today.”
Former Wales back-row Sam Warburton offers his impartial view: “If it stays dry-ish, I favour Scotland; if it gets wet, I favour England.”
Finn Russell vs Marcus Smith
Two of the most naturally gifted fly-halves in rugby, the duel between Finn Russell and Marcus Smith could be blockbuster:
Breaking down the Finn Russell vs Marcus Smith fly-half battle
Scotland tackle England at Murrayfield on Saturday
Finn Russell vs Marcus Smith
Two of the most naturally gifted fly-halves in rugby, the duel between Finn Russell and Marcus Smith could be blockbuster:
Breaking down the Finn Russell vs Marcus Smith fly-half battle
Scotland tackle England at Murrayfield on Saturday
Scotland vs England
It sounds like the rain isn’t coming down too heavily at the moment at Murrayfield, though it is a little blustery. England tamed the tempest on their last visit to Edinburgh two years ago - how might the conditions impact affairs this afternoon?
Scotland vs England
It sounds like the rain isn’t coming down too heavily at the moment at Murrayfield, though it is a little blustery. England tamed the tempest on their last visit to Edinburgh two years ago - how might the conditions impact affairs this afternoon?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments