Ireland v Wales: Match Report

Despite the hosts dominating the statistics, a determined Welsh side kept the match alive with strong first-half defence and a resilient forward display after the break.

5 minutes into the game after a couple of phases, Ireland are just outside of Wales 5m line, McCloskey gives a flat pass to Stockdale who crashes through a tackle to open the scoring.

12 minutes in Jack Coleman gets another try for Ireland after 13 phases but it’s ruled out after a review by the referee, as there was a knock on in the build-up.

Rees-Zammit kicks a beautiful 50:22 to put Wales in a good attacking position, from the lineout Wales have the advantage and they get the penalty and kick for poles to register their first points on the score board.   

Wales are going at Ireland after a boot downfield from Tomos and a chase from Mee, they win 2 penalties on the 5m line and they tap and go. Lake goes over the line but it’s held up.

Just before halftime Ireland pile on the pressure and it pays off as Crowley sells the dummy to score in the corner.

The clock is in the red and Rhys Carre gets it from 25 metres out; he breaks the line and races away with incredible pace to score Wales first try of the game.

5 minutes into the second half Conan goes crashing over for Irelands third try.

62^nd minute Botham goes over for Wales to make it a 2-point ball game.

12 minutes to go and Ireland pulls the Welsh defence apart and Osborne goes over for the bonus point try.

In the last 2 minutes of the game Wales were caught offside and Crowley slotted over the penalty to put Ireland further ahead and crush Wales’s hope of a comeback.

Ireland emerged from a tense battle at the Aviva Stadium with a hard-fought 27–17 victory, keeping their Championship aspirations firmly alive.