Aoife Wafer and Brittany Hogan helped themselves to two tries apiece as Ireland wore down Wales for a 33-12 win in their penultimate fixture of the Women's Six Nations campaign.
Beibhinn Parsons got the other try for Scott Bemand's side on the day in Belfast as the bonus-point win went some way towards making up for the disappointment of the falling short in their bid to pull off a landmark victory in France two weeks ago.
The Irish side will now aim to solidify a top three finish in this year's tournament and a 100% home record by trying to beat Scotland at Aviva Stadium next Sunday afternoon.
Ireland made a positive start at the Affidea Stadium, with number eight Wafer bundling over the opening try in the 13th minute.
Ireland have the lead in Belfast as Aoife Wafer scores the game's opening try #W6N
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Wales, aiming to build again after a heavy defeat to England, were soon back on level terms when Georgia Evans powered through before Ireland saw Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald’s try ruled out for a double movement.
Beibhinn Parsons restores the Irish lead after excellent work from Aoife Wafer #W6N
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A clever offload from Wafer then allowed Ireland winger Beibhinn Parsons to go over on the half-hour, with a further converted try from Hogan giving the home side a 19-7 lead at half-time.
HT: Ireland 19-7 Wales
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) May 9, 2026
Ireland finish the first half in style as Brittany Hogan scores try number three
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Moloney-MacDonald was sent to the sin bin early in the second half after kicking out at Georgia Evans before Wales’ Jasmine Joyce also picked up a yellow card for conceding a penalty at the breakdown.
Wafer got herself on the scoresheet again in the 56th minute to further extend Ireland’s advantage before Joyce returned to get a late try after collecting a cross-field kick from Lleucu George to go over in the corner.
Ireland have their bonus point try in Belfast as the imperious Aoife Wafer gets her second of the evening against Wales #W6N
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Ireland scored a fifth try with the last play of the match as Eve Higgins broke to put Hogan over, with Dannah O’Brien slotting the extras.
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Robyn O'Connor; Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Ellena Perry, Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Linda Djougang; Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite; Brittany Hogan, Erin King (capt), Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Neve Jones, Sadhbh McGrath, Eilís Cahill, Ruth Campbell, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Katie Whelan, Niamh Gallagher.
Wales: Kayleigh Powell; Hannah Dallavalle, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Jasmine Joyce; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu; Branwen Metcalfe, Georgia Evans; Jorja Aiono, Bethan Lewis (capt), Bryonie King .
Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alisha Joyce, Sere Lockwood, Freya Bell, Nikita Prothero.
Additional reporting: PA
