Six tries, three in each half, sent Ireland on their way to a dominant 40-14 Six Nations victory over Wales in front of a crowd of over 3,000 at Rodney Parade.
Ireland had to withstand an early Welsh lead, along with a yellow card to Dannah O'Brien close to half time, but ultimately came out the comfortable victors.
Player of the match Aoife Wafer, Linda Djougang and Dorothy Wall all notched a brace, while Carys Cox and Hannah Bluck struck for the hosts.
Ireland recovered from an early deficit to lead by 14 at the break. Carys Cox opened the scoring in somewhat fortunate fashion, pouncing on the loose ball over the Irish line after Amee-Leigh Costigan spilled a grubber into the 22.
Wales went close to stretching the lead when a maul rolled towards the line, but Ireland survived. To good effect. After a first quarter filled with attacks breaking down inside the 22, Djougang barrelled over from close range following a Stacey Flood break from deep.
Flood, who previously was a danger when linking with Anna McGann down the right flank was instrumental in the second score. Wales continued kicking aimlessly to her, the fullback cashing in to beat three defenders and over 120m carried in the first half alone. This time, after linking with Costigan down the left, Wafer barged over under the posts after patient phase play inside the 22.
A third score came right on the cusp of half-time, Ireland again utilising a forward to punch through from close range. Dorothy Wall was the beneficiary after a penalty kicked to the corner. Enya Breen was successful with a touchline conversion, the centre now on kicking duties with outhalf Dannah O’Brien in the bin for a high tackle.
After a first half full of counter-attacking verve, Ireland tightened up after the break. A realisation inevitably came on them that the attacking lineout was sufficient for punching through Wales’ defence. Wall added a second try, directly from a maul, while O’Brien was still in the bin. Another maul minutes later was held up, but Ireland’s forward power told when Djougang barged over moments later.
Wales did hit back. An error at the lineout gifted an attacking platform inside the 22. Replacement Hannah Bluck, only just on the park, crashed over on a strong running line.
Ireland nigh on emptied their bench thereafter, Scott Bemand making six of the eight changes available to him. The cavalry killed off any hopes of a Welsh comeback, the forwards once again laying a platform for Wafer to score.
That proved to be the game’s final act, the last 10 minutes petering out into an innocuous affair. Not that Ireland cared, five match points secured ahead of next weekend’s trip to Scotland.
Wales scorers: Tries: Cox, Bluck. Cons: Bevan (2)
Ireland scorers: Tries: Djougang (2), Wafer (2), Wall (2) Cons: O’Brien (3), Breen (2)
Wales: Joyce; Neumann, H Jones (captain), Keight, Cox; Powell, Bevan; Pyrs, K Jones, Scoble; Fleming, Evans; Williams, Lewis, Callender.
Replacements: Rose for Scoble (49), John for Callender (58), Phillips for K Jones (58), Bluck for Keight (59), Richards for Joyce (65), Davies for G Pyrs (68), for S Jones for Bevan (69), A Pyrs for Williams (71).
Ireland: Flood; McGann, Dalton, Breen, Costigan; O’Brien, Scuffil-McCabe; McCarthy, Jones, Djougang; Campbell, Wall; Hogan, McMahon (capt), Wafer.
Replacements: Boles for McMahon (55), Moloney for Jones, McGrath for McCarthy, Haney for Djougang, Lane for Scuffil-McCabe, Higgins for O’Brien, Elmes Kinlan for McGann (all 60) Tuite for Hogan (64).
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)
