Irish Rugby vs Wales Match Report

Ireland record convincing win over Wales

Ireland strong set piece and kicking paved the way to a comprehensive victory at home in the first game of the Autumn Nation Cup.

Ireland started the game well winning a couple of early scrum penalties which led to Johnny Sexton kicking the first penalty of the game. Wales responded with a penalty through Leigh Halfpenny after Ireland had surned a try scoring opportunity when getting turned over five metres from the Welsh try line.

Ireland’s pressure paid off a few minutes later after some good work by the forwards near the try-line. Quin Roux crossed for the home side’s first try of the game with Sexton adding the extras.

The out-half slotted another penalty to add to the home side’s advantage.

In the process, he also injured his hamstring which forced him to come off the pitch, handing Ulster’s Billy Burns the chance to come off the bench to make his debut in a green jersey.

On the half hour mark Halfpenny added another penalty to eat into Ireland’s advantage. Andy Farrell’s side won a scrum against the head, after a couple of phases of play Ireland won another penalty which was converted by Burns with his first kick in a green jersey.

Despite putting Wales under concerted pressure late in the first half Ireland had a 10-point lead going in at half time after seeing the TMO deem that Andrew Porter did not ground the ball just before the break.

After missing the first penalty of the half with a kick from the halfway line, Halfpenny duly slotted his next one to narrow the gap even more.

From the resulting restart Caelan Doris blocked down the attempted clearance from the Welsh. After several phases of play the home side won another penalty which Burns scored.

After a period of play where defences were on top Ireland eventually won a penalty which was slotted over by Conor Murray who had replaced Billy Burns with a HIA.

With the game heading its final 10 minutes Ireland won yet another penalty outside the 22 which was put between the posts by Murray again.

Ireland debutant James Lowe managed to get Ireland second try of the game in the final play of the game. Murray added the extra to to give Ireland a big win as they prepare to face England next Saturday.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan: Andrew Conway, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe; Jonathan Sexton (capt), Jamison Gibson-Park; Cian Healy, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter Quinn Roux, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Subs: Billy Burns for Jonathan Sexton, Ed Byrne for Cian Healy, Findlay Bealham for Andrew Porter, Dave Heffernan for Ronan Kelleher, Tadhg Beirne for Quin Roux, Conor Murray for Billy Burns (HIA), Will Connors for Josh Van Der Flier, Keith Earls for Robbie Henshaw.

Tries: Roux, Lowe,

Conversions: Sexton, Murray

Penalties, Sexton x2, Burns x2, Murray x2

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau

Subs: Wyn Jones, for Rhys Carre, Elliot Dee for Ryan Elias, Samson Lee for Thomas Francis, Jake Ball for Will Rowlands, Lloyd Williams for Gareth Davies. George North for Jonathan Davies, Callum Sheedy for Dan Biggar, Aaron Wainwright for Taulupe Faletau

Penalties: Halfpenny x3

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