So Ireland go in at the break with their tails up after their third try from Brittany Hogan. They played on in the red and got their just rewards after a rather scrappy and strange opening period.
Aoife Wafer broke the deadlock in the 12th minute after capitalising on a poor Welsh error, before Wales hit back through Georgia Evans. Just before the half-hour mark, Wafer turned from scorer to provider sending Beibhinn Parsons through for a superb try. And Hogan rounded out the first-half scoring to make it 19-7, with Dannah O’Brien on target twice from the tee.
Momentum with Ireland, but Wales will be confident they can respond once more. Big second half ahead!
Ireland have that third try they played on for, hometown hero Hogan with the last say. She shows all her smarts to dot down in the gap when everyone else was going for power. Tuite was almost over, but sent back about a metre, but Ireland dug deep and the dam eventually broke.
O’Brien adds the extras to make it 19-7, a huge swing on the stroke of half-time.
12 mins ago
7:17PM
Ireland 12-7 Wales
40 mins - Ireland look to play on with the clock in the red, but O’Brien’s kick is straight back to Wales. The Red Dragons are happy to play on, but King stops them with another huge turnover. O’Brien opts to play on again. Into the 42nd minute…
15 mins ago
7:14PM
Ireland 12-7 Wales
38 mins – And it all breaks down as they run out of ideas and Wales pounce. But George’s penalty goes awry, hitting off an Irish player and they are back in possession. Momentarily. Fiona Tuite is warned as the hosts concede a seventh penalty.
Will there be another score before the break?
18 mins ago
7:11PM
Ireland 12-7 Wales
37 mins – Wales eventually exit their ’22 after pressure from Ireland, O’Brien’s attempt to find touch holding up.
Aoife Dalton does well to stop a menacing Carys Cox and take the sting out of Wales’ tail. Some bigger hits follow. Ireland are moving through the phases and looking for another opening before half-time.
22 mins ago
7:07PM
Ireland 12-7 Wales
32 mins - TMO checking for head contact after a Wales player is treated after a collision with King. All clear, on we go.
The visitors look to get going again in their bid to hit back, but Wafer stops them in their tracks with a bone-shuddering tackle. Evans’ box kick is claimed by Flood, and she finds some space with an arrowed kick but Wales deal accordingly.
26 mins ago
7:03PM
TRY! Ireland 12-7 Wales (Beibhinn Parsons 29)
And there’s the third!!! Monstrous work from Wafer, a huge carry off the back of a scrum, handing off the hapless Welsh defenders left in her wake and sending Parsons through. The Ballinasloe flier shows a clean pair of wheels and dots down.
O’Brien’s conversion attempt crashes off the post.
27 mins ago
7:02PM
Here’s a look at the game’s two tries so far, with the scoreline level at 7-7…
Ireland have the lead in Belfast as Aoife Wafer scores the game's opening try #W6N
27 mins - CLOSE! Moloney-McDonald thinks she’s over – or very close to it – but she’s pinged for a double movement. Wales celebrate, Ireland left frustrated as they come away from a scrappy but promising line-out maul with nothing.
30 mins ago
6:59PM
Ireland 7-7 Wales
25 mins - The conversion is good, we’re all square.
Ireland look to respond immediately, launching their latest attack and playing through two Welsh penalties. They stop for the latest, and O’Brien goes to the corner…
33 mins ago
6:56PM
TRY! Ireland 7-5 Wales (Georgia Evans 23)
Wales hit back! They find joy from the line-out, and put Ireland on the back foot, and Evans applies the finishing touch.
20 mins – Irish line-out claimed, but Wales stop the maul getting going to their frustration. They exit from the scrum.
French referee Aurelie Groizeleau is pretty whistle-happy, with the game stop-start so far. She spoke to Dorothy Wall for what appeared to be verbals, the Irish player apologising. Beibhinn Parsons has also been penalised for not retreating.
38 mins ago
6:51PM
Ireland 7-0 Wales
17 mins - Wales look to go coast to coast from the line-out, with the last pass out to Jasmine Joyce breaking down. Ireland breathe a sigh of relief.
After a reset scrum, and another penalty, O’Brien finds touch.
The sun seems to be causing problems out there, with Ireland playing into it.
41 mins ago
6:48PM
Ireland 7-0 Wales
15 mins – The hosts are immediately under pressure as Wales look to hit back. Ireland are pinged for not rolling away, and a scoreable penalty is passed up as they opt for the corner.
43 mins ago
6:47PM
Ireland 7-0 Wales
14 mins - O’Brien adds the extras, Ireland are off the mark.
45 mins ago
6:45PM
TRY! Ireland 5-0 Wales (Aoife Wafer 12)
Who else? Wafer starts and finishes the move, collecting the poor Welsh drop out and charging straight at them. Some nice Irish play follows, with Moloney-McDonald prominent, and Wafer is there again to barrel over.
45 mins ago
6:44PM
Ireland 0-0 Wales
11 mins – Frustration for Wales as another spell of possession breaks down, and Ireland relieve some pressure as O’Brien finds touch from the subsequent penalty. The tables turn, but the Welsh defence is similarly holding firm.
Stacey Flood tries a cross-field kick for Robyn O’Connor to chase, but there’s too much on it. The Welsh ’22 drop out is straight to Wafer, big chance here…
48 mins ago
6:41PM
Ireland 0-0 Wales
8 mins - Ireland go through some phases as they look to get their attack going, but Wales force a big turnover. Brittany Hogan is pinged for holding onto the ball, and they can regroup.
They similarly win their first line-out, before Dorothy Wall steps up with an inspirational block. But Erin King is soon penalised for the same reason as Hogan.
51 mins ago
6:38PM
Ireland 0-0 Wales
5 mins - O’Brien kicking down the throat seems to be the early tactic, and it eventually reaps benefits as she finds open grass and forces Wales to chase and clear their lines. Line-out number one a success, Hogan claiming from Moloney-McDonald and Ireland are on the charge…
54 mins ago
6:36PM
Ireland 0-0 Wales
5 mins - No problems for Ireland in the first scrum of the game, Wafer bouncing out with a big carry. O’Brien is yet to find touch, two more kicks sent right down the middle. Bit of over and back here as both teams look to settle.
56 mins ago
6:34PM
Ireland 0-0 Wales
2 mins – Dannah O’Brien’s first clearance kick of the evening is straight down the Welsh throat, and they launch their first attack. Aoife Wafer among those stepping up with big tackles, but Wales are owning the ball so far.
And just at that, they knock on – early let-off for Ireland.
58 mins ago
6:31PM
KICK-OFF - Wales get us underway, wearing white. Ireland in their home green strip.
1 hr ago
6:26PM
Wales are out on the pitch, celebrating the occasion of Natalia John’s 50th cap. Ireland follow them out to a huge reception. Time for the anthems and pre-match formalities, sit tight!
There was major disappointment in Ireland camp about their 26-7 loss to France in Clermont last time out, with Bemand’s side missing several gilt-edged chances to score in the first half.
They brought huge physicality and intent in what was a top-end Test, but lacked the necessary accuracy with things like their finishing and line kicking.
Having dismantled Italy in their other home game in this Six Nations so far, Ireland will expect to do something similar against the Welsh. Irish captain Erin King and her team-mates are a confident crew and they will be determined to rack up scores today.
Murray Kinsella is on the ground for us in Belfast this evening. You can read his full match preview here>
Niamh Gallagher, who is set for her Ireland debut off the bench, takes in the surroundings in Belfast. The versatile 20-year-old has impressed at fullback for Trailfinders in the English Premiership, and is line for a big opportunity this evening.
Eve Higgins’ return is the only change to the Ireland XV, with Sadhbh McGrath and Grace Moore named among the replacements amidst a 6/2 split.
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LIVE: Ireland v Wales, Women's Six Nations
So Ireland go in at the break with their tails up after their third try from Brittany Hogan. They played on in the red and got their just rewards after a rather scrappy and strange opening period.
Aoife Wafer broke the deadlock in the 12th minute after capitalising on a poor Welsh error, before Wales hit back through Georgia Evans. Just before the half-hour mark, Wafer turned from scorer to provider sending Beibhinn Parsons through for a superb try. And Hogan rounded out the first-half scoring to make it 19-7, with Dannah O’Brien on target twice from the tee.
Momentum with Ireland, but Wales will be confident they can respond once more. Big second half ahead!
HALF-TIME – Ireland 19-7 Wales
TRY! Ireland 17-7 Wales (Brittany Hogan 43)
Ireland have that third try they played on for, hometown hero Hogan with the last say. She shows all her smarts to dot down in the gap when everyone else was going for power. Tuite was almost over, but sent back about a metre, but Ireland dug deep and the dam eventually broke.
O’Brien adds the extras to make it 19-7, a huge swing on the stroke of half-time.
Ireland 12-7 Wales
40 mins - Ireland look to play on with the clock in the red, but O’Brien’s kick is straight back to Wales. The Red Dragons are happy to play on, but King stops them with another huge turnover. O’Brien opts to play on again. Into the 42nd minute…
Ireland 12-7 Wales
38 mins – And it all breaks down as they run out of ideas and Wales pounce. But George’s penalty goes awry, hitting off an Irish player and they are back in possession. Momentarily. Fiona Tuite is warned as the hosts concede a seventh penalty.
Will there be another score before the break?
Ireland 12-7 Wales
37 mins – Wales eventually exit their ’22 after pressure from Ireland, O’Brien’s attempt to find touch holding up.
Aoife Dalton does well to stop a menacing Carys Cox and take the sting out of Wales’ tail. Some bigger hits follow. Ireland are moving through the phases and looking for another opening before half-time.
Ireland 12-7 Wales
32 mins - TMO checking for head contact after a Wales player is treated after a collision with King. All clear, on we go.
The visitors look to get going again in their bid to hit back, but Wafer stops them in their tracks with a bone-shuddering tackle. Evans’ box kick is claimed by Flood, and she finds some space with an arrowed kick but Wales deal accordingly.
TRY! Ireland 12-7 Wales (Beibhinn Parsons 29)
And there’s the third!!! Monstrous work from Wafer, a huge carry off the back of a scrum, handing off the hapless Welsh defenders left in her wake and sending Parsons through. The Ballinasloe flier shows a clean pair of wheels and dots down.
O’Brien’s conversion attempt crashes off the post.
Here’s a look at the game’s two tries so far, with the scoreline level at 7-7…
Ireland 7-7 Wales
27 mins - CLOSE! Moloney-McDonald thinks she’s over – or very close to it – but she’s pinged for a double movement. Wales celebrate, Ireland left frustrated as they come away from a scrappy but promising line-out maul with nothing.
Ireland 7-7 Wales
25 mins - The conversion is good, we’re all square.
Ireland look to respond immediately, launching their latest attack and playing through two Welsh penalties. They stop for the latest, and O’Brien goes to the corner…
TRY! Ireland 7-5 Wales (Georgia Evans 23)
Wales hit back! They find joy from the line-out, and put Ireland on the back foot, and Evans applies the finishing touch.
Ireland 7-0 Wales
20 mins – Irish line-out claimed, but Wales stop the maul getting going to their frustration. They exit from the scrum.
French referee Aurelie Groizeleau is pretty whistle-happy, with the game stop-start so far. She spoke to Dorothy Wall for what appeared to be verbals, the Irish player apologising. Beibhinn Parsons has also been penalised for not retreating.
Ireland 7-0 Wales
17 mins - Wales look to go coast to coast from the line-out, with the last pass out to Jasmine Joyce breaking down. Ireland breathe a sigh of relief.
After a reset scrum, and another penalty, O’Brien finds touch.
The sun seems to be causing problems out there, with Ireland playing into it.
Ireland 7-0 Wales
15 mins – The hosts are immediately under pressure as Wales look to hit back. Ireland are pinged for not rolling away, and a scoreable penalty is passed up as they opt for the corner.
Ireland 7-0 Wales
14 mins - O’Brien adds the extras, Ireland are off the mark.
TRY! Ireland 5-0 Wales (Aoife Wafer 12)
Who else? Wafer starts and finishes the move, collecting the poor Welsh drop out and charging straight at them. Some nice Irish play follows, with Moloney-McDonald prominent, and Wafer is there again to barrel over.
Ireland 0-0 Wales
11 mins – Frustration for Wales as another spell of possession breaks down, and Ireland relieve some pressure as O’Brien finds touch from the subsequent penalty. The tables turn, but the Welsh defence is similarly holding firm.
Stacey Flood tries a cross-field kick for Robyn O’Connor to chase, but there’s too much on it. The Welsh ’22 drop out is straight to Wafer, big chance here…
Ireland 0-0 Wales
8 mins - Ireland go through some phases as they look to get their attack going, but Wales force a big turnover. Brittany Hogan is pinged for holding onto the ball, and they can regroup.
They similarly win their first line-out, before Dorothy Wall steps up with an inspirational block. But Erin King is soon penalised for the same reason as Hogan.
Ireland 0-0 Wales
5 mins - O’Brien kicking down the throat seems to be the early tactic, and it eventually reaps benefits as she finds open grass and forces Wales to chase and clear their lines. Line-out number one a success, Hogan claiming from Moloney-McDonald and Ireland are on the charge…
Ireland 0-0 Wales
5 mins - No problems for Ireland in the first scrum of the game, Wafer bouncing out with a big carry. O’Brien is yet to find touch, two more kicks sent right down the middle. Bit of over and back here as both teams look to settle.
Ireland 0-0 Wales
2 mins – Dannah O’Brien’s first clearance kick of the evening is straight down the Welsh throat, and they launch their first attack. Aoife Wafer among those stepping up with big tackles, but Wales are owning the ball so far.
And just at that, they knock on – early let-off for Ireland.
KICK-OFF - Wales get us underway, wearing white. Ireland in their home green strip.
Wales are out on the pitch, celebrating the occasion of Natalia John’s 50th cap. Ireland follow them out to a huge reception. Time for the anthems and pre-match formalities, sit tight!
There was major disappointment in Ireland camp about their 26-7 loss to France in Clermont last time out, with Bemand’s side missing several gilt-edged chances to score in the first half.
They brought huge physicality and intent in what was a top-end Test, but lacked the necessary accuracy with things like their finishing and line kicking.
Having dismantled Italy in their other home game in this Six Nations so far, Ireland will expect to do something similar against the Welsh. Irish captain Erin King and her team-mates are a confident crew and they will be determined to rack up scores today.
Murray Kinsella is on the ground for us in Belfast this evening. You can read his full match preview here>
Niamh Gallagher, who is set for her Ireland debut off the bench, takes in the surroundings in Belfast. The versatile 20-year-old has impressed at fullback for Trailfinders in the English Premiership, and is line for a big opportunity this evening.
Eve Higgins’ return is the only change to the Ireland XV, with Sadhbh McGrath and Grace Moore named among the replacements amidst a 6/2 split.
Team news
Here’s how the sides are due to line out…
IRELAND: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Robyn O’Connor; Dannah O’Brien, Emily Lane; Ellena Perry, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang; Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite; Brittany Hogan, Erin King (captain), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Neve Jones, Sadhbh McGrath, Eilís Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Katie Whelan, Niamh Gallagher.
WALES: Kayleigh Powell; Hannah Dallavalle, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Jasmine Joyce; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu; Branwen Metcalfe, Georgia Evans; Jorja Aiono, Bethan Lewis (captain), Bryonie King.
Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alisha Joyce, Seren Lockwood, Freya Bell, Nikita Prothero.
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau [FFR].
Hello, and welcome along to The 42‘s live coverage of Ireland versus Wales in the Women’s Six Nations.
Scott Bemand’s side are looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to France, and finish their 2026 campaign strongly on home soil.
The hosts are firm favourites against struggling Wales this evening, before they welcome Scotland to Aviva Stadium for an historic clash next weekend.
But all eyes on Belfast’s Affidea Stadium here, where kick-off is 6.30pm and the action is live on RTE 2. We’ll keep you up to date right here.
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