14 mins - O’Brien adds the extras, Ireland are off the mark.
2 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.
3 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…
6 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.
9 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…
11 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.
13 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.
16 mins ago
6:31PM
KICK-OFF - Wales get us underway, wearing white. Ireland in their home green strip.
21 mins 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
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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