In the end, the result was entirely predictable.
Ireland stayed on course for a second consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam thanks to an 18th straight home win at the Aviva Stadium and Wales were consigned to a third defeat in a row in 2024. Warren Gatland’s side weren’t able to cause what would have been a huge shock and the final scoreline was of the margin most would have expected before kick-off.
But the thing that will surely frustrate Wales head coach Gatland the most is that his young side wasn’t just beaten, they shot themselves in the foot.
Wales conceded a mammoth nine first-half penalties – the same number they had given up across the entirety of their first two games with Scotland and England.
It gave Ireland, a side who hardly need a helping hand, the platform to camp themselves in their opposition’s half and take control. Andy Farrell’s men led 17-0 at the break.
Game over.
Andy Farrell’s side continued their march towards back-to-back Grand Slame with a 31-7 win
Ciaran Frawley (bottom) scored a try on his first start for Ireland as they consigned Wales to a third straight defeat
Ireland weren’t actually at their best in the opening 40. And Wales were far better in the second, certainly in terms of discipline. This Six Nations has had a consistent theme for Wales.
They are yet to string an 80-minute performance together. Against Scotland they were awful in the first half and better in the second. Against England, it was the opposite.
Wales’ Dublin display was similar to the one they produced in Cardiff in round one. They responded to home efforts from Dan Sheehan and James Lowe with a penalty try.
But, in the end, Ireland went home with a bonus-point win with Tadhg Beirne scoring their crucial fourth try with the game’s last play.
As the Aviva Stadium filled up with expectant Irish supporters on the eve of kick-off on Saturday afternoon, the television camera cut to Johnny Sexton who had already taken his seat.
The former Ireland captain – now retired – was cheered loudly.
Knowing they were more than up against it before a ball had been kicked or passed, Wales didn’t help themselves. There were five away penalties in the first 15 minutes.
Nick Tompkins grabbing Lowe around the neck was one indiscretion and it allowed Jack Crowley to open the scoring with a penalty from 42 metres.
Ireland were dominant in terms of territory. But the Welsh defence initially held out impressively, repelling one Irish maul attack well thanks to the help in particular of Aaron Wainwright.
Tommy Reffell also won Wales a breakdown penalty to relieve the pressure. But Wales were camped in their own half for the first quarter.
On the rare occasions they did attack, Wales struggled to get over the gainline. Star man Bundee Aki and Andrew Porter won Ireland breakdown penalties.
Jack Crowley opened the scoring with a penalty six minutes into the Aviva Stadium action
But against as good a side as Ireland, you can only play in your own half for so long without conceding points regardless of how well you are defending.
Hooker Sheehan was eventually driven over from an Irish line-out maul.
It had been coming. Crowley converted. Wales’ scrum was also under big pressure. Alongside their poor discipline, it was a bad combination. Gatland looked understandably frustrated.
The Welsh penalties kept coming. Referee Andrea Piardi, who was becoming the first Italian official in the Six Nations, rightly warned Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins.
Crowley kicked to the corner. The outcome was inevitable. Lowe finished in the corner after a lovely pass from Calvin Nash. Wales had just 30 per cent of the first-half possession and 38 of territory. They were never going to recover from that and a 17-point deficit.
Young Wales full-back Cameron Winnett did retain his own up and under at the start of the second half. And after Joe McCarthy was penalised, Wales did drive over the line.
The ball was not shown to be grounded, but Beirne was judged to have changed his bind in the maul and therefore illegally prevented a score. Piardi awarded a penalty try and sent Beirne to the sin bin for 10 minutes. The automatic seven points woke up the home crowd.
Given Wales’ penalty count it might have seemed harsh on Ireland for Beirne to see yellow, but it was the correct decision.
Aki steamed through a gap. Wales prop Gareth Thomas played one endless phase with just one boot on having lost the other in a ruck. Winnett showed his talent, jinking this way and that.
Wales finally had some hope and field position.
But immediately after returning from the bin, Beirne came up with some brilliant defensive work to steal the ball from Wales hooker Elliot Dee.
It stopped an attempted Welsh line-out drive dead in its tracks. Ireland went straight up the other end and Aki crashed over after some fine Irish attacking rugby.
But Piardi and his officials ruled out the score for what was judged a knock on by Robbie Henshaw.
Wales cleared their lines and by the hour mark, both teams had unloaded their benches. Mackenzie Martin and Oli Jager were among the new faces for Wales and Ireland debuts respectively.
Ireland’s pressure eventually tolled with a third, full-back Ciaran Frawley marking his first Test start with a try. Crowley converted and the race for a bonus point was on.
Ireland were now back in control. Replacement Ryan Baird charged forward on three separate occasions like a man possessed.
Late Welsh pressure forced Ireland replacement lock James Ryan to be yellow carded after a string of repeat offences but even with a man advantage, Wales couldn’t get over.
And there was still time before the final whistle for Beirne and Ireland to have the last laugh as they continued their perfect record this year.
