The world’s No 1 team, Ireland survived a second-half fightback from Wales to kick off the 2023 Six Nations with a convincing four-tries-to-one victory in Cardiff on Saturday.
Despite late injury withdrawals for scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park and prop Cian Healy, the Irish made the perfect start when they raced into a 27-3 lead at half time, and dug in after the break for a 34-10 win at the Principality Stadium.
Three first-half tries and 12 points from the boot of skipper Johnny Sexton set up Andy Farrell’s charges for success, and handed Warren Gatland a defeat in his first game back as Wales coach.
Ireland No 8 Caelan Doris crashed over for the maiden try of this year’s competition, before lock James Ryan made it two touchdowns from close range for the men in green inside the first 10 minutes.
Flyhalf Dan Biggar slotted a penalty for Wales’ first points of the match, but his effort was almost immediately cancelled out by Sexton.
Left wing James Lowe then pounced on a desperate Biggar pass for a breakaway score midway through the opening stanza, with Sexton again on song for the conversion and another penalty before the interval.
First try of the 2023 #GuinnessSixNations and it’s for @IrishRugby’s Caelan Doris ☘️#WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/9Hlpftyew3
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 4, 2023
☘️ James Ryan makes it two for Ireland! Going over for @IrishRugby’s second of the game 🙌#GuinnessSixNations #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/DkT0WGDcY9
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 4, 2023
🤩 What an interception from James Lowe @IrishRugby #GuinnessSixNations #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/KfzqrNjx8D
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 4, 2023
The Welsh struck first after the restart when fullback Liam Williams soared over near the uprights for Biggar to convert his second strike at goal and closed the gap to 17 points.
But, Williams went from hero to villain when he earned 10 minutes in the naughty chair for a dangerous hit on Sexton inside the final quarter, before Ireland blindside flanker Josh van der Flier put the result beyond doubt with a touchdown under the sticks.
Wales will now regroup for a trip to Murrayfield next Saturday to face Scotland, with Ireland to host Six Nations holders France at the Aviva Stadium.
🏴 Liam Williams sailing through for @WelshRugbyUnion 🙌#GuinnessSixNations #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/yWaTlt02Ph
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 4, 2023
🔥 Van Der Flier 🙌
Straight under the posts @IrishRugby #GuinnessSixNations #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/Q9SZoy1BIv
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 4, 2023
Photo: @IrishRugby/Twitter
