Ireland too good for spirited Wales in Six Nations

Six Nations

Ireland (12) 27

Tries: Stockdale, Crowley, Conan, Osborne  Cons: Crowley (2)  Pen: Crowley

Wales (10) 17

Tries: Carre, Botham  Cons: Edwards (2)  Pen: Edwards

Despite being heavy favourites, Ireland were pushed to the limit by a resilient Welsh side who, against the odds, produced a gritty performance. The hosts, however, secured a vital four-try bonus point victory, while Wales suffered their 15th consecutive championship defeat.

Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale opened the scoring finishing a Stuart McCloskey pass in the 6th minute with his first international try in over five years.

A potential second try by flanker Jack Conan in the 11th minute was then ruled out by TMO for an earlier knock-on.

Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards kept Wales in touch with a penalty, and despite Ireland’s 65% possession, Wales produced a ferocious defensive effort, eventually making 240 tackles throughout the match.

After enduring waves of Irish pressure, fly-half Jack Crowley ducked through to add a second try in the corner three minutes before the interval to break through the stubborn Welsh backline.

But a spectacular 30-metre solo effort from prop Rhys Carre, a characteristic of Welsh determination on the night, beat Robert Baloucoune on the blindside before going over with a cheeky smile to bring the score to 12–10 and give the travelling support hope.

Man of the match Conan, though, quashed growing Welsh hope of an upset by burrowing over shortly after the re-start to extend Ireland’s lead early in the half.

But Wales would fight back once more and refused to wilt with James Botham’s try in the 63rd minute after sustained pressure, cutting the gap to just two points. 

Ireland finally secured the bonus point when full-back Jamie Osborne finished a flowing move in the corner with Wales losing scrum-half Tomos Williams to a yellow card in the build-up.

A late Crowley penalty provided the final margin, which would deny Wales a losing bonus point as Ireland clinched a hard-fought win, but they will look back at the match as one they were made to work for.

The result leaves Ireland one point behind France in the Six Nations table before the French face off against Scotland tomorrow afternoon in their game in hand at Murrayfield.

Wales remain at the bottom of the table, facing a potential third consecutive wooden spoon as they prepare to host Italy on the final weekend in Cardiff.

Wales XV:

15 Louis Rees-Zammit, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards,

9 Tomos Williams, 1 Rhys Carre, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 3 Thomas Francis, 4 Dafydd Jenkins, 5 Ben Carter,

6 Alex Mann, 7 James Botham, 8 Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements: 

16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Ollie Cracknell, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Louie Hennessey.

[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]