Ireland starts off the Six Nations with a huge bonus point win over last year’s champions Wales.
Much speculation was around Wales’s lack of strength heading into the game with Ireland being considered big favourites. All the talking was finished and it was time for both sets of players to take the field.
The game started off red hot for Ireland as debutant Mack Hansen carried the ball down the left wing. Showing his willingness to run Hansen set a marker for future games to come. Hansen then set up his fellow clubman Aki with a looping pass to the left side allowing Aki finished it off neatly. Hansen would eventually find himself awarded Man of the Match for his performance.
Sexton lined up from the left-hand side of the pitch and sailed the ball through the post for the extra two points.
From the 10th minute on Sexton found himself with three shots at goal, with two misses Sexton found his form as he scored the third. Ireland had an uneasy ten-point lead as Wales nearing the end of the first half started to play in Ireland’s 22. Johnny McNicholl had a strong run down the left-hand side, but untidy hands wasted the opportunity
Ireland’s defence proved to be just as industrious as their attack, the boys in green repelled the Welsh attacks being thrown at them. The rain began to pour helping Ireland’s defence as sloppy hands also helped halt the Welsh attack.
The score at half-time was 10-0 in Irelands favour.
Ireland started off the second half just like the first. With dominant ball carrying and smart kicking Ireland found themselves threatening in the opposition half. Two back-to-back lineouts put immense pressure on the away side. Ireland looked to crack open the defence Welsh once more
Andrew Conway found the ball in his hands on the right wing with defenders to beat. Conway darting for the line was tackled by Welsh dynamo Josh Adams. Conway stretched and dotted the line with the ball. An excellent try from the Munster Man. Sexton stepped up once more and he smashed it over the post for extra two points.
The game was now 17-0 and Ireland were firmly the better side. With this in mind Ireland went to put their boot on the neck of the Welsh. Josh Adams was then shown a yellow card for a dangerous shoulder barge on Johnny Sexton, adding insult to injury.
As Ireland had the personnel advantage with Wales down to 14-men, it was only a matter of time before the home side would score again. Ireland passed the ball through the hands and built-up quality phases. The Welsh defence was quickly becoming outnumbered, Conway was found wide open on the right wing to walk the ball over the line for five points. Sexton once again converted the kick pushing the score to 24-0.
Ireland got their best and final score of the game through Garry Ringrose. Bundee Aki found the ball on the move and moved it to Ringrose. Moving as a unit Ringrose and Conway behind him darted through the Welsh backline. Barrelling through two defenders Ringrose touched the ball down to complete the game and the try.
Both sides rolled on the subs, Irelands focus was on blooding as many new players as possible . In the dying part of the game sloppy play from Ireland led to a Welsh try. Taine Basham got his hands on a wayward pass from Tadgh Beirne. Basham sprinted under the posts for the finish. Replacement fly-half Callum Sheedy added the extra two points.
The game ended with Ireland running out as emphatic winners with a score line of 29-7.
Ireland will look to carry the momentum through to their next against France in Paris on the 12th of February.
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