Irish lock Tadhg Beirne felt that the side delivered a different type of positive performance against Wales even if it lacked the sparkle that accompanied their destruction of England last time out.
While Andy Farrell's side danced their way through white shirts at Twickenham in Round 3, they had to display a different type of commitment against more white shirts – Welsh ones this time – with the visitors belying their current reputation with a battling display at the Aviva on Friday after a dicey opening 10 minutes.
In that early period, Ireland had run in one try through Jacob Stockdale and had another from Jack Conan just about ruled out, but midway through the second half Wales had trimmed the margin back to just two points before a strong Irish finish saw them home 27-17.
"It was a challenge we put to ourselves, to get that physicality part right and be where we were against England," Beirne told RTÉ Sport afterwards.
"Today I thought the physicality piece was brilliant from us. I thought we met them every time in defence.
"They (had) some really good patches. Unfortunately, we let a few tries in and we'll have to look at those, but I'd be pretty pleased with the physicality part and how we played today."
Wales, chasing a first win in the competition since 2023, looked like they could crumble in that early Irish assault, but they showed guts to hang in there – and it was visiting voices in the crowd screaming as the half-time whistle sounded following an unexpected try from distance from prop Rhys Carre to round off the opening period.
"Scotland jersey on tomorrow so?"
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 6, 2026
Tadhg Beirne chatted to the RTÉ rugby panel as their small Six Nations hopes were kept alive after a real battle with Wales. pic.twitter.com/yhEJARCFO6
That play demonstrated some of the Irish faults as Rob Baloucoune was left isolated trying to stop the rampaging prop, although the Ulster man will be frustrated when reviewing the game tape.
Beirne said that Farrell's message at the break was very much one centred on working together on the field.
"He (Farrell) was saying that if we keep at it and we actually work together more as a team in terms of our shape, rather than going to the lines on our own, I think the spaces were opening up.
"We felt like they were probably over-folding at times and there was space on the negative sides. So we were kind of just saying to look out for those moments and just to get the first try and then try to build a score from there.
"But you've got to give credit to them. They came back into it and unfortunately leaked a try there and it ended up being quite a tight game."
"We were probably overplaying in our half a little bit and giving them opportunities to turn the ball over or put pressure on us," Beirne added on the strategic skirmishes.
"So it was very much let's be smarter in terms of the tactical battle and just keep pounding the rock because it felt like when we had the ball, we had a lot of opportunities to score. So it was just about getting the ball in the right areas of the field."
Ireland’s Six Nations hopes hang by a thread despite victory, with France able to claim the title tomorrow if they were to pick up a bonus point win at Murrayfield.
"I think the whole country will be," Beirne replied with a laugh when asked would he be throwing on the Scotland jersey as the Irish team look a favour from Gregor Townsend's side.
