Welcome, everyone, to The 42′s live coverage of Ireland’s Six Nations meeting with Wales at the Principality Stadium.
Hope you’re all keeping well! It’s Gavan Casey with you here, and I’ll be bringing you updates from Cardiff if you can’t make it to the stadium or to a TV.
Wales have lost 14 on the bounce but they’ll surely also receive a bounce under a new coaching staff, led by Matt Sherratt, this week.
For Ireland, there’s actually a Triple Crown on the line today, which has scarcely been mentioned as Simon Easterby’s side seek even bigger prizes in the weeks to come.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Get yourself comfortable. Kick-off is in about 40 minutes!
Ireland have been forced into a late change. Cian Prendergast has fallen ill, with Ryan Baird coming onto the bench in his stead.
It leaves Ireland without specialist number-eight cover in their matchday 23, incidentally.
Matt Sherratt rang the changes for Wales earlier in the week, meanwhile, with debutant Ellis Mee of the Scarlets among those brought into the interim head coach’s first starting lineup.
Ryan Baird is drafted into Ireland's matchday squad in place of Cian Prendergast. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
1′ – WAL 0-0 IRE: English referee Christophe Ridley sounds his whistle and Sam Prendergast kicks us off in the Welsh capital!
22 Feb
2:19PM
3′ – WAL 0-0 IRE: Wales win a scrum penalty inside their own half off an Irish put-in. Andrew Porter can’t believe it and you’d understand why upon the replay.
Big psychological boost for Wales early on, though!
22 Feb
2:21PM
5′ – WAL 0-0 IRE: Big counter-ruck by Hansen and Van der Flier in the Welsh half and Jack Conan steals the ball!
Garry Ringrose boots low downfield and it dribbles out for a 50-22 to the visitors.
It’s an exceptional close-range finish on the stretch by Conan, who scores his second try of the championship.
The attack all stemmed from that brilliant counter-ruck turnover and the kick upfield from Ringrose.
Prendergast converts from an easy angle, and Ireland have made the perfect start here at a deflated Principality!
22 Feb
2:29PM
12′ – WAL 0-7 IRE: Second scrum of the game, second Welsh penalty — this one on Tom Clarkson.
Wales, though, overthrow the lineout which is snapped up by Van der Flier.
22 Feb
2:33PM
16′ – WAL 0-7 IRE: Three from three at scrum-time for Wales!
This one was on their own ball after an Irish attack broke down near the Welsh line.
Ireland’s attacking shape so far has been really nice on the eye. They’re making inroads any time they have the ball, but the scrum is now a big concern.
22 Feb
2:37PM
20′ – WAL 0-7 IRE:Wales yet to gain any real foothold in attack, which is interim head coach Matt Sherratt’s speciality.
They’re defending gamely, though. While they’re struggling a little bit in the collision just with Ireland’s power, it’s very much bend-don’t-break by the hosts so far.
Scrappy enough opening 20 minutes, all told, but Ireland on top.
22 Feb
2:38PM
20′ – WAL 0-7 IRE: Porter wins a scrum penalty back, with a big surge behind him, inside the Welsh 22′. Feels like a big moment, not only because it’s handed Sam Prendergast a simple three points here.
23′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Gareth Anscombe, making his first Six Nations start in six years, gets the hosts up and running.
22 Feb
2:44PM
25′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Excellent Welsh attack down the short side and they carve a real chance but the pass inside from Jack Morgan to Tomos Williams is both forward and knocked on by the scrum half.
Ireland breathe a sigh of relief! Wales have roared back into this for the moment.
22 Feb
2:47PM
29′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Excellent Irish linespeed, particularly from Hansen who smashes Morgan, forces a Welsh kick.
James Lowe returns a kick down the left, then, and Wales’ clearance sees them lose about 30 metres.
Smart by Lowe.
22 Feb
2:49PM
30′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Wonderful Irish attack off the lineout. Incredible offload by Hansen feeds Jamie Osborne, but his pass out to Garry Ringrose — who was in acres! — is rushed, forward, and flies into touch.
Osborne smashes the ground in frustration. He’s had a below-average first half so far, the young Kildare man.
34′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Anscombe dinks over the three.
Ireland, down a man, see their lead cut to four points.
Proper Test match, alright, this one. Wales having their moments.
22 Feb
2:58PM
37′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Prendergast looks to respond instantly off the tee after an off-the-ball tackle by Wales but his long-range effort comes back off the post!
Prendergast then has a bad drop off the Welsh exit. Frustrating minute for him.
22 Feb
3:00PM
39′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Another Welsh scrum pen near halfway. Porter penalised again. Big reaction from the Welsh front row and there’s a bit of handbags.
Four scrum pens to Wales, now. Ireland have conceded seven penalties in the first half overall.
Wales up towards the Irish 5′ where they’ll have a lineout.
22 Feb
3:02PM
40′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Wales come within inches of the Irish line on three or four occasions! Ireland stray offside and eventually thwart the attack, but back we come for a penalty.
Wales go back to the line. Big chance, again, to take a half-time lead!
Wales have ripped into this one after a 10-0 Irish start and lead their heavily fancied visitors at the break.
Ireland had Garry Ringrose sin-binned and there has yet to be a decision made in the bunker on his high tackle — we’ll find out about that at the start of the second half.
After that wonderful Prendergast 50-22′ spiral, Ireland win a pen advantage deep in Welsh territory.
Gibson-Park chips one into the air towards the left-hand corner for Lowe to chase. The big Leinster wing slaps it backwards in the air, into the bread basket of Osborne who dives over!
Ireland are level, but can’t take the lead as Prendergast pushes his difficult conversion wide right.
22 Feb
3:45PM
62′ – WAL 18-18 IRE:Into the final quarter and while Ireland have found more gain-line access, it’s still a 50-50 battle overall at the moment.
Wales attacking now just outside the Irish 22′.
22 Feb
3:47PM
63′ – WAL 18-18 IRE: Wales’ attack eventually results in a knock-on but they’re asking serious questions of Ireland.
Their handling, their offloading, their fluidity has genuinely been unrecognisable compared to their opening two fixtures.
22 Feb
3:47PM
63′ – WAL 18-18 IRE: Anscombe won’t be returning from his HIA by the way. But Jarrod Evans has been very good since coming on.
22 Feb
3:49PM
64′ – WAL 18-18 IRE: Ireland win a little kick battle and earn territory in the Welsh half. This one is absolutely hanging in the balance, folks.
James Ryan about to come in for Joe McCarthy once more.
69′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Sam Prendergast lands one from Newport! What a kick! Ireland out to a six-point lead after Aki’s turnover!
22 Feb
3:58PM
71′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Jack Boyle on to make his Six Nations debut, replacing Andrew Porter.
22 Feb
3:59PM
72′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Sam Prendergast skews one out on the full after it was passed back into the Irish 22′. Big mistake — albeit under pressure from a Welsh tackler — and a big chance for Wales, here.
22 Feb
4:02PM
TMO checking Welsh try
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Ellis Mee is over in the left-hand corner for Wales! He’s definitely grounded it, but was his foot in his touch? Or did he lose control of the ball?
Ridley is going upstairs to his TMO!
22 Feb
4:03PM
No try for Wales!
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE:Mee, fractionally, barely, by millimetres, lost control of the ball shy of the line!
It’s a five-metre scrum to Ireland, who just about escape!
22 Feb
4:04PM
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Before the scrum, Jack Crowley on for Mack Hansen. Crowley goes to fullback and Osborne shifts to right wing.
22 Feb
4:05PM
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE:Ireland win the scrum penalty on their own 5′!
Finlay Bealham has been demonic since he came on. What a start for Jack Boyle, too.
22 Feb
4:06PM
75′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Still Ireland by six with just over five minutes to go.
Gus McCarthy on for skipper Sheehan.
22 Feb
4:09PM
77′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Ireland BLOW the Welsh off their own ball inside the home 22′! And they win the penalty as Wales try to play it on the ground!
Josh van der Flier. Tadhg Beirne. Jack Boyle. Take a bow!
Ireland point to the sticks and they have the chance to kill this one here and now!
Thanks for joining these live updates. I’ve to run and jump on a pod with Murray Kinsella. Keep an eye on The 42 for a full match report, reaction and analysis.
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As it happened: Wales v Ireland, Six Nations
Welcome, everyone, to The 42′s live coverage of Ireland’s Six Nations meeting with Wales at the Principality Stadium.
Hope you’re all keeping well! It’s Gavan Casey with you here, and I’ll be bringing you updates from Cardiff if you can’t make it to the stadium or to a TV.
Wales have lost 14 on the bounce but they’ll surely also receive a bounce under a new coaching staff, led by Matt Sherratt, this week.
For Ireland, there’s actually a Triple Crown on the line today, which has scarcely been mentioned as Simon Easterby’s side seek even bigger prizes in the weeks to come.
Get yourself comfortable. Kick-off is in about 40 minutes!
Ireland have been forced into a late change. Cian Prendergast has fallen ill, with Ryan Baird coming onto the bench in his stead.
It leaves Ireland without specialist number-eight cover in their matchday 23, incidentally.
Matt Sherratt rang the changes for Wales earlier in the week, meanwhile, with debutant Ellis Mee of the Scarlets among those brought into the interim head coach’s first starting lineup.
Replacements:
Ireland
Replacements:
Oi oi, Skip. Big day for Dan Sheehan and his family.
Ireland are heavy favourites here, but what’s your read on it?
Poll Results:
About 15 to go until kick-off in Cardiff.
Gonna make a cuppa here and get set. Catch you after the anthems.
1′ – WAL 0-0 IRE: English referee Christophe Ridley sounds his whistle and Sam Prendergast kicks us off in the Welsh capital!
3′ – WAL 0-0 IRE: Wales win a scrum penalty inside their own half off an Irish put-in. Andrew Porter can’t believe it and you’d understand why upon the replay.
Big psychological boost for Wales early on, though!
5′ – WAL 0-0 IRE: Big counter-ruck by Hansen and Van der Flier in the Welsh half and Jack Conan steals the ball!
Garry Ringrose boots low downfield and it dribbles out for a 50-22 to the visitors.
Excellent by Ireland.
7′ – TRYYYYY! Jack Conan is over for Ireland!
It’s an exceptional close-range finish on the stretch by Conan, who scores his second try of the championship.
The attack all stemmed from that brilliant counter-ruck turnover and the kick upfield from Ringrose.
Prendergast converts from an easy angle, and Ireland have made the perfect start here at a deflated Principality!
12′ – WAL 0-7 IRE: Second scrum of the game, second Welsh penalty — this one on Tom Clarkson.
Wales, though, overthrow the lineout which is snapped up by Van der Flier.
16′ – WAL 0-7 IRE: Three from three at scrum-time for Wales!
This one was on their own ball after an Irish attack broke down near the Welsh line.
Ireland’s attacking shape so far has been really nice on the eye. They’re making inroads any time they have the ball, but the scrum is now a big concern.
20′ – WAL 0-7 IRE:Wales yet to gain any real foothold in attack, which is interim head coach Matt Sherratt’s speciality.
They’re defending gamely, though. While they’re struggling a little bit in the collision just with Ireland’s power, it’s very much bend-don’t-break by the hosts so far.
Scrappy enough opening 20 minutes, all told, but Ireland on top.
20′ – WAL 0-7 IRE: Porter wins a scrum penalty back, with a big surge behind him, inside the Welsh 22′. Feels like a big moment, not only because it’s handed Sam Prendergast a simple three points here.
21′ – WAL 0-10 IRE: Prendergast chips over the penalty and Ireland are out to a two-score lead in Cardiff.
22′ – WAL 0-10 IRE: Ireland pinged for offside after spilling the ball forward in their own 22′.
Wales will get three points straight back!
23′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Gareth Anscombe, making his first Six Nations start in six years, gets the hosts up and running.
25′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Excellent Welsh attack down the short side and they carve a real chance but the pass inside from Jack Morgan to Tomos Williams is both forward and knocked on by the scrum half.
Ireland breathe a sigh of relief! Wales have roared back into this for the moment.
29′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Excellent Irish linespeed, particularly from Hansen who smashes Morgan, forces a Welsh kick.
James Lowe returns a kick down the left, then, and Wales’ clearance sees them lose about 30 metres.
Smart by Lowe.
30′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Wonderful Irish attack off the lineout. Incredible offload by Hansen feeds Jamie Osborne, but his pass out to Garry Ringrose — who was in acres! — is rushed, forward, and flies into touch.
Osborne smashes the ground in frustration. He’s had a below-average first half so far, the young Kildare man.
Big chance missed for Ireland.
35′ – WAL 3-10 IRE: Ringrose is sent to the bin for a high hit. It’ll be reviewed — I would suspect it’ll stay as a yellow, but you can’t be sure.
He seemed to slip ever so slightly but he’s gotta be lower, too. Interesting one, and worrying one for Ireland.
Wales have another easy three points here, and they’ll take them.
34′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Anscombe dinks over the three.
Ireland, down a man, see their lead cut to four points.
Proper Test match, alright, this one. Wales having their moments.
37′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Prendergast looks to respond instantly off the tee after an off-the-ball tackle by Wales but his long-range effort comes back off the post!
Prendergast then has a bad drop off the Welsh exit. Frustrating minute for him.
39′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Another Welsh scrum pen near halfway. Porter penalised again. Big reaction from the Welsh front row and there’s a bit of handbags.
Four scrum pens to Wales, now. Ireland have conceded seven penalties in the first half overall.
Wales up towards the Irish 5′ where they’ll have a lineout.
40′ – WAL 6-10 IRE: Wales come within inches of the Irish line on three or four occasions! Ireland stray offside and eventually thwart the attack, but back we come for a penalty.
Wales go back to the line. Big chance, again, to take a half-time lead!
TRYYYYYYY! Jac Morgan goes over for the hosts!
Incredible goal-line defence by Ireland is eventually breached, and the Welsh skipper burrows over for his first ever Six Nations try!
Anscombe adds the extras and Wales lead Ireland at half-time!
Well, that didn’t go to plan for Ireland!
Wales have ripped into this one after a 10-0 Irish start and lead their heavily fancied visitors at the break.
Ireland had Garry Ringrose sin-binned and there has yet to be a decision made in the bunker on his high tackle — we’ll find out about that at the start of the second half.
Ireland are in a game here. Catch you shortly.
Update: Garry Ringrose’s yellow has been upgraded to a 20-minute red card, so Ireland will stay a main down for about 10 minutes after the resumption.
Once the 20-minute period elapses, Bundee Aki will likely enter the frame with Robbie Henshaw shifting out to 13.
Still, that’s a serious blow for Simon Easterby’s side, with Wales continuing with their man advantage for the time being.
41′ – WAL 13-10 IRE: Gareth Anscombe restarts the game.
A further blow for Ireland: Joe McCarthy is off for a HIA. James Ryan comes on for the time being.
TRYYYYYYY! TOM ROGERS FOR WALES!
A disconnect between Dan Sheehan and Sam Prendergast results in a knock-on by the young out-half.
Wales stretch Ireland from side to side before, eventually, Rogers bolts down the right and dives over in the corner!
The conversion is missed, but Wales lead by two scores here! The Principality is rocking!
44′ – WAL 18-10 IRE: Jack Conan limps off. He’s replaced by Ryan Baird. That’s another huge blow for Ireland.
This is a serious test, now, for the visitors!
47′ – WAL 18-10 IRE: Ireland lose a lineout for the first time, Will Rowlands getting up to pinch one off Ryan.
Nervy. Need a response.
49′ – WAL 18-13 IRE: Better from Ireland who go the direct route and make gains into the Welsh 22′.
They win a couple of pen advantages for offside — and Prendergast eventually chips one of those over.
The gap is back to five.
Finlay Bealham on for Thomas Clarkson.
50′ – WAL 18-13 IRE: Joe McCarthy back from his HIA. He comes on for Ryan.
51′ – WAL 18-13 IRE:Massive jackal penalty win by Robbie Henshaw as Wales again stretch Ireland inside the visitors’ half.
And here comes Bundee Aki as Ireland are restored to 15 men following Ringrose’s red card!
53′ – WAL 18-13 IRE: Jarrod Evans onto the field for Wales for the first time since 2021. Anscombe off for a HIA.
55′ – WAL 18-13 IRE: Incredible Prendergast spiral over the shoulder of Ellis Mee and into touch for the 50-22′!
Ireland with a chance out of nothing.
TRYYYYYYYYYY!!! IT’S JAMIE OSBORNE!
After that wonderful Prendergast 50-22′ spiral, Ireland win a pen advantage deep in Welsh territory.
Gibson-Park chips one into the air towards the left-hand corner for Lowe to chase. The big Leinster wing slaps it backwards in the air, into the bread basket of Osborne who dives over!
Ireland are level, but can’t take the lead as Prendergast pushes his difficult conversion wide right.
62′ – WAL 18-18 IRE:Into the final quarter and while Ireland have found more gain-line access, it’s still a 50-50 battle overall at the moment.
Wales attacking now just outside the Irish 22′.
63′ – WAL 18-18 IRE: Wales’ attack eventually results in a knock-on but they’re asking serious questions of Ireland.
Their handling, their offloading, their fluidity has genuinely been unrecognisable compared to their opening two fixtures.
63′ – WAL 18-18 IRE: Anscombe won’t be returning from his HIA by the way. But Jarrod Evans has been very good since coming on.
64′ – WAL 18-18 IRE: Ireland win a little kick battle and earn territory in the Welsh half. This one is absolutely hanging in the balance, folks.
James Ryan about to come in for Joe McCarthy once more.
66′ – WAL 18-23 IRE:Another brilliantly direct Irish attack takes them to the Welsh 5′.
They win the penalty advantage and Mack Hansen is eventually held up over the line in the right-hand corner, but Ridley brings it back for the pen.
Interestingly, Ireland take the three despite being just five metres out. Prendergast dinks them into the lead.
Crikey, this one is stressful!
68′ – WAL 18-21 IRE: Bundee Aki wins a HUGE jackal penalty for Ireland on halfway!
69′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Sam Prendergast lands one from Newport! What a kick! Ireland out to a six-point lead after Aki’s turnover!
71′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Jack Boyle on to make his Six Nations debut, replacing Andrew Porter.
72′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Sam Prendergast skews one out on the full after it was passed back into the Irish 22′. Big mistake — albeit under pressure from a Welsh tackler — and a big chance for Wales, here.
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Ellis Mee is over in the left-hand corner for Wales! He’s definitely grounded it, but was his foot in his touch? Or did he lose control of the ball?
Ridley is going upstairs to his TMO!
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE:Mee, fractionally, barely, by millimetres, lost control of the ball shy of the line!
It’s a five-metre scrum to Ireland, who just about escape!
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Before the scrum, Jack Crowley on for Mack Hansen. Crowley goes to fullback and Osborne shifts to right wing.
73′ – WAL 18-24 IRE:Ireland win the scrum penalty on their own 5′!
Finlay Bealham has been demonic since he came on. What a start for Jack Boyle, too.
75′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Still Ireland by six with just over five minutes to go.
Gus McCarthy on for skipper Sheehan.
77′ – WAL 18-24 IRE: Ireland BLOW the Welsh off their own ball inside the home 22′! And they win the penalty as Wales try to play it on the ground!
Josh van der Flier. Tadhg Beirne. Jack Boyle. Take a bow!
Ireland point to the sticks and they have the chance to kill this one here and now!
78′ – WAL 18-27 IRE: Prendergast, from left of centre, NAILS it!
And breathe, everyone.
FT – WAL 18-27 IRE
Thanks for joining these live updates. I’ve to run and jump on a pod with Murray Kinsella. Keep an eye on The 42 for a full match report, reaction and analysis.
Phew!
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