Ireland v Wales LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations
Ireland 31-7 Wales: Andy Farrell’s men were made to work hard by stubborn visitors but a bonus-point win moved them closer to a grand slam
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Your support makes all the difference.Grand slam-chasing Ireland rugby made it three bonus-point Six Nations wins from three against Wales rugby at the Aviva Stadium, racking up their 18th successive home triumph with a 31-7 victory.
The hosts dominated the first half and led by 17-0 at the break thanks to tries from Dan Sheehan and James Lowe. A penalty try for Wales and yellow card for Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne just after half-time threatened to make things interesting.
Ireland mostly retained control with 14 men, though a ragged second half remained competitive until Ciaran Frawley marked his first Six Nations start with a debut try on 67 minutes and Beirne added the bonus-point try at the death as Wales sank to their 10th defeat in their last 11 Six Nations game.
Ireland travel to England in two weeks before hoping to play for their second successive grand slam at home to Scotland on 16 March. Wales have back-to-back home games against France and Italy, with the latter now a potential wooden spoon decider.
Relive all the action from Dublin below:
Anthems
President Michael D Higgins shakes the hand of each of our combatants this afternoon, plus the officials - a proud day for history-maker Andrea Piardi.
Into the anthems, the Welsh squad in good voice. There’s a tear on Tadhg Furlong’s face as the first notes of “Ireland’s Call” play, and fellow tighthead Oli Jager looks pretty emotional, too, as he makes a long-awaited debut after that peculiar journey into international rugby.
Right, it’s time for action in Dublin.
Wales eye impossible Dublin job in rivalry that risks losing its shine
Wales eye up impossible Dublin job in Six Nations rivalry that risks losing its shine
Ireland welcome Warren Gatland’s men to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, seemingly set up for a big win as they march towards a grand slam
Ireland vs Wales
Out onto the grass come the two teams, bright sunshine to greet them. A few seats still filling inside the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland vs Wales
The players are beginning to ready themselves in the tunnel, Peter O’Mahony leading Ireland out as he returns for a 50th Six Nations cap. It sounds like a contract may now have been offered to the Munster flanker after several months of uncertainty over his future - a strange situation that appears to be moving closer to resolution.
Ireland vs Wales
Not long now until the middle weekend of this year’s Six Nations is up and running. Do Wales have any chance today? They stayed in the fight impressively at Twickenham, but you just think a fully loaded home attack will take the opportunities England missed in the opening quarter a fortnight ago.
Andy Farrell also speaks to ITV
“We want to be better than [against France]. Hopefully we can improve. I’m sure that they have got belief in their plan, and we do, too. The game takes its own course from the first whistle, it is who can manage that across the 80 minutes that will get what they want.
“Ciaran Frawley has been around the squad for a long time and played well in provincial rugby.. I’m sure he’ll shine.
“For us, it’s about being the best version of ourselves and approach the match in the manner it deserves. It’s a proper Test match - it always is against Wales.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland gives his pre-match thoughts to ITV
“We’re massive underdogs playing against one of the best teams in the world so there’s no pressure on for us externally, but there’s pressure we put on ourselves in terms of wanting to improve on the first two games.
“Ireland were fantastic against France, and the Italy game as well, keeping them scoreless. They’ve got a huge amount of depth at the moment and are a very strong side.”
Rob Howley demands ‘comfort in the chaos’ from Wales in Ireland showdown
Rob Howley says Wales will aim to create rugby chaos when they face what most people believe is mission improbable against Ireland today.
Wales have not won a Guinness Six Nations game against Ireland in Dublin since 2012, drawing one and losing four of the subsequent fixtures.
Ireland are chasing back-to-back Grand Slams – a feat never previously achieved in the Six Nations – and have taken pole position following emphatic bonus-point victories over France and Italy.
Andy Farrell’s team will also equal a record, currently held by England and set seven years ago, of 11 successive Six Nations wins if they topple Wales.
Rob Howley demands ‘comfort in the chaos’ from Wales in Ireland showdown
Wales last won a Six Nations away game against Ireland in 2012.
Oli Jager set for a debut
Oli Jager is set to make his Ireland debut at the Aviva Stadium today having taken an alternative route to Test level. Born in London to an Irish mother and Dutch father, Jager played U18 rugby for Ireland Schools but missed out on a place in Leinster’s academy.
A move to New Zealand sparked Jager’s career back into life, though, with impressive performances for Canterbury leading to a Crusaders contract. His work in helping establish a dynasty under Scott Robertson brought him onto Andy Farrell’s radar, with a conversation on Ireland’s tour of Aotearoa in 2022 eventually leading to his switch to Munster late last year. Finlay Bealham is fit and remains Tadhg Furlong’s primary back-up, but Jager has earned his chance.
“We’ve had him earmarked for a while,” Farrell explained. “He’s a big man, low maintenance. A proper man’s man.. the ‘tache says it all, doesn’t it?”
Indeed it does.
Wales team news
Sam Costelow returns at fly half for Wales after missing the defeat to England, stepping in for Ioan Lloyd, who drops to the bench. That is the sole change to the starting line-up made by Warren Gatland, with the rest of the 15 intact after a strong first hour at Twickenham.
On the bench, there is a potential debutant in back rower Mackenzie Martin, and Dillon Lewis is primed for his first appearance of the championship after injury to Archie Griffin.
Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 Keiron Assiratti; 4 Dafydd Jenkins (capt.), 5 Adam Beard; 6 Alex Mann, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Sam Costelow; 11 Rio Dyer, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 George North, 14 Josh Adams; 15 Cameron Winnett.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Mackenzie Martin; 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady.
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