MY ACCOUNT
Andrew Conway helped himself to a double as Ireland eased to a 29-7 bonus-point victory over Wales in the opening game of the 2022 Six Nations to make it nine wins in a row.
Wales defied the odds to win the title last year but the injury hit visitors, without captain Alun Wyn Jones and a number of other experienced players, were outclassed in Dublin.
Ireland led 10-0 at half-time, with Bundee Aki crossing over for the only try, but their dominance truly told in the second half at the Aviva Stadium.
Conway added two more and Garry Ringrose joined the scoring, rendering Taine Basham’s late try nothing more than a consolation as Ireland recorded a fifth home Test win in a row against Wales for the first time.
Ireland needed just three minutes to score the first try of the tournament through Aki, who had the simplest of run-ins after being picked out by debutant Mack Hansen.
Johnny Sexton added the extras and, after missing a couple of penalties in quick succession, the Irish skipper kicked over again to pass the 500-points mark in the Six Nations.
Conway collected an offload from Sexton early in the second half, jinked past a couple of opponents and squeezed over at full stretch, the try allowed to stand after a TMO check.
Josh Adams was sin-binned for a reckless challenge on Sexton and more misery was to follow for Wales as Conway profited from Josh van de Flier’s work to double his try tally.
Ringrose breezed through to add a fourth try for Ireland, who were undone late on when Basham intercepted from Tadhg Beirne and dived down under the posts.
Mack shines on debut
Hansen brought his solid club form into the Six Nations by playing in Aki with a looping pass out wide for an important early try, setting the tone for a dominant Ireland display.
The wing has made an eye-catching start to his Connacht career and has been involved in nine tries in his last nine games for club and country, scoring six and assisting three.
Pivac’s Adams gamble backfires
Adams was making his first Test appearance at centre as Wayne Pivac attempted to plug some gaps but struggled throughout even before his needless yellow card.
Ireland took full advantage by completely blowing Wales away, but Andy Farrell will not be pleased with the way his side switched off in the closing stages to let Basham – a rare shining light for the visitors – in for a consolation.
Key Opta Facts
– Ireland have won their last five home games against Wales in all competitions, their best ever run against Wales on Irish soil; those five victories have come by an average margin of 14.8 points.
– Ireland have won 28 of their last 30 Tests at the Aviva Stadium (L2), including their last seven in a row, winning each of their four games against Wales during that run
– Sexton is just the third player to surpass 500 points in the Championship since 2000 (also Ronan O’Gara and Owen Farrell) and the fourth to reach 500 in the Five/Six Nations overall (also Jonny Wilkinson).
What’s next?
Ireland take on France at the Stade de France while Wales host Scotland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
