Ireland v Wales
The most remarkable of all the results so far. Ireland played like souls possessed, to leave the Welsh looking distraught.
Scott Bemand’s side showed a conviction and fluency we haven’t seen in a long while. Their last win, back in WXV3, was a hard-fought slog. This one – for most of the game at least – was silky smooth.
The opening moments gave no hint of what was to come. Carys Phillips came close to the line but got isolated; penalty Ireland. Then, as Aoife Wafer completed the second of two powerful drives, you could sense the confidence flooding through Irish veins.
By the way, check through your personal Lions’ squad to check her name is there. If it isn’t, slip it in and claim it was a momentary oversight. Hers was a performance of Kabeya-like intensity.
Matching her was was Dannah O‘Brien, who surpassed Lleucu George’s power and accuracy with the boot, and got her line running well. Also Aoibheann Reilly, who outplayed Keira Bevan, a rare achievement.
From an accurate line-out the Irish spread the ball left and right, for Wafer to power over for the opening score. O’Brien had no trouble converting into a cross-wind. 7-0
Next Reilly made a telling break through midfield. It all started from a remarkable line-out steal by Edel McMahon, the returning co-captain. Two phases later Eve Higgins was over for Ireland’s second helping. 14-0
The concern I’d felt about Wales’ line-out efficiency now proved valid. O’Brien profited with another ground-eating kick to the corner. Wales just managed to stop Higgins, but at the cost of a 5-metre penalty. The following line-out worked perfectly. Sam Monaghan started it, Neve Jones completed it. 21-0, and under a half-hour played.
If you managed to blink seven times at the right moments during the game, you would have seen every Irish pass – good, unexpected or indifferent – cleanly taken by the receiver. That’s what confidence can do for a team.
When Wafer made a tird huge break, you sensed you already knew who the Player of the Match would be. And you were right. Every nation hunts for youngsters who take to the International stage as if they really belong. She was one; the two half-backs matched her in quality.
Half-time 21-0
The second half began equally badly for the Welsh. Jenny Hesketh called a mark in defence, but her kick miscued badly, O’Brien returned the ball to Wales’ left-hand corner. From there George’s clearance kick was charged down by Katie Corrigan, who ran the ball in. She disappeared under a forest of congratulatory arms. 28-0
To show the state the visitors were in, the drop-out failed to reach 10 metres; the follow-up was a choice of two penalties. The Irish wisely opted for a kick from in front, O’Brien obliging once more. 31-0
On 48 minutes Scott Bemand removed Monaghan from the fray, mindful of the coming contest at Twickenham. Dorothy Wall took over her role, winning line-outs and making strong thrusts through Welsh lines.
Ireland had one more shot in their locker. Outstanding hands gave Béibhinn Parsons the chance to remind us of her qualities. The final pass was given by Wafer! 36-0
To Wales’ credit they now put together some of their best possession of the game. Their one new name, Gwenan Hopkins, at once showed her qualities, scoring their one try to remove the dreaded 0 against their name on the scoreboard. But it was scant reward.
Result: Ireland 36 Wales 5
Player of the Match: Aoife Wafer
Teams
Ireland
15 Lauren Delany 14 Katie Corrigan 13 Eve Higgins 12 Enya Breen 11 Béibhinn Parsons 10 Dannah O’Brien 9 Aoibheann Reilly 1 Linda Djougang 2 Neve Jones 3 Christy Haney 4 Dorothy Wall 5 Sam Monaghan (co-captain) 6 Aoife Wafer 7 Edel McMahon (co-captain) 8 Brittany Hogan
16 Clíodhna Moloney 17 Niamh O’Dowd 18 Sadhbh McGrath 19 Fiona Tuite 20 *Shannon Ikahihifo 21 Molly Scuffil-McCabe 22 Nicole Fowley 23 Aoife Dalton
*uncapped
Wales
15 Jenny Hesketh 14 Jasmine Joyce 13 Hannah Jones (captain) 12 Kerin Lake 11 Carys Cox 10 Lleucu George 9 Keira Bevan 1 Gwenllian Pyrs 2 Carys Phillips 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu 4 Abbie Fleming 5 Georgia Evans 6 Alisha Butchers 7 Alex Callender 8 Bethan Lewis
16 Molly Reardon 17 Abbey Constable 18 Donna Rose 19 Natalia John 20 *Gwennan Hopkins 21 Sian Jones 22 Kayleigh Powell 23 Courtney Keight
*uncapped
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU) Virgin Media Park, Cork
Afterthoughts
Welsh reactions have been loud and numerous. Who’s at fault? Fingers point at the WRU, the Welsh game in general, desperately short of funding, the head coach, Ioan Cunningham, and so on. Few can offer constructive answers.
Hannah Jones, tasked with one of a captain’s least pleasant duties – having to talk to the media after a losing match – placed the blame on herself and her fellow-players. They must do better. That was a brave, if not entirely justified response. The team have now lost to both their fellow Celtic sides, and France lie in wait.
