The ovation Wales were afforded at the final whistle of this pulsating game told its own story. One of pride restored and the first budding signs of a connection between the Welsh fanbase and its national team in many moons. But the sight of Bundee Aki, his white Ireland shirt covered in a mixture of blood, mud, grass and black paint, roaring in celebration as Ireland kept alive their Grand Slam hopes, must have stuck in the craw for Wales fans.
Aki played a key role in this win for Ireland. Perhaps the key role. The New Zealand-born centre was a snarling, rampaging force of nature following his introduction after 52 minutes, winning hard yards and turnover penalties. Aki is a shoo-in for the British & Irish Lions on this evidence. But whether he should have been allowed to replace Garry Ringrose is another matter.
Ringrose had been shown a yellow card in the first half for head-on-head contact with opposite man Ben Thomas. It was later upgraded to a ‘20-minute red’, in accordance with the new Foul Play Review Bunker laws. To say that triggered another debate about the new laws would be understating things.
Wales fans piled onto social media to express their displeasure with the laws, arguing, with some justification, that Ireland were not sufficiently punished for a reckless tackle which would almost certainly have been a straight red in the old days. Even Simon Easterby did not deny it. “Possibly,” he admitted when asked whether it would have been a straight red in the old days. “But it’s not the case now. So it’s not a discussion is it?”
The feeling persists, however, that these new laws are simply offering referees a cop-out. They can still hand out full and permanent red cards for “deliberate and dangerous acts of foul play.” But it seems unless it is a punch to the face or similar act of aggression, they will now always defer to the bunker review which means the maximum punishment can only be 20 minutes.
Is that right? Was it right that Ireland had 15 men on the pitch for the last 30 minutes of the game? Should they have been able to bring on a fresh like-for-like replacement?
To Matt Sherratt’s credit, he did not make a meal of it. Asked for his views on 20-minute red cards, Wales’s interim head coach joked: “I wish it wasn’t [the law] now. But I was alright with it before the game. It is what it is. You just have to deal with it. Take advantage as much as you can during the 20 minutes and in general we did.”
That has not been the case for Wales recently. In the autumn, after Fiji’s Semi Radradra was given a 20-minute red card against them, they blew the numerical advantage and lost the 20-minute period 7-0. This time they went from 10-3 down to 18-10 up.
The difference Sherratt has made in just one week and “three and a half training sessions” is extraordinary.
After all the talk about how one-sided this match would be – some of that talk, controversially, coming from Ireland’s own media – Simon Easterby’s team had to dig extremely deep. Wales were unrecognisable from the side which shipped 43 unanswered points in their Six Nations opener in Paris before losing a stodgy encounter in Rome.
After an early Jack Conan try, the hosts came roaring back with recalled fly-half Gareth Anscombe slotting two penalties before captain Jac Morgan – like Aki, a nailed-on Lions tourist at this rate – went over for a try.
Up 13-10 at the break, and with Ireland still down to 14 men, Wales then scored through Tom Rogers in the corner to go 18-10 up.
The strength of Ireland’s bench ultimately told, though, as not only Aki but James Ryan and Finlay Bealham and Ryan Baird came on and punched holes. Jamie Osborne scored in the corner to make it 18-18 after James Lowe brilliantly palmed down a crossfield kick. And Ireland looked to be pulling clear when Sam Prendergast slotted a couple of penalties.
Even then there was drama when new cap Ellis Mee touched down in the corner only for the try to be ruled out for a knock-on. Prendergast then kicked one final penalty to put the game beyond doubt and keep Ireland’s hopes of a ‘three-peat’ - three successive Six Nations titles, something no men’s team has ever done - alive.
“It was a very tough call,” Sherratt said of Mee’s disallowed try. “I think you could tell that from the length of time it took [to make a decision].”
“But we asked the players for two things today. Show the crowd some emotion and some ambition. I think we did that.”
Match details
Scoring: 0-5 Conan try; 0-7 Prendergast con; 0-10 Prendergast pen; 3-10 Anscombe pen; 6-10 Anscombe pen; 11-10 Morgan try; 13-10 Anscombe con; 18-10 Rogers try; 18-13 Prendergast pen; 18-18 Osborne try; 18-21 Prendergast pen; 18-24 Prendergast pen; 18-27 Prendergast pen
Wales: B Murray, T Rogers (J Roberts 63), M Llewellyn, B Thomas, E Mee, G Anscombe (J Evans 53), T Williams; N Smith (G Thomas 61), E Dee (E Lloyd 73), J Willgriff (H Thomas 52), W Rowlands (T Williams 71), D Jenkins, J Morgan, T Reffell (A Wainwright 57), T Faletau
Ireland: J Osborne, M Hansen (J Crowley 72), G Ringrose (B Aki 52), R Henshaw, J Lowe, S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park (C Murray 79); A Porter (J Boyle 70), D Sheehan (G McCarthy 75), T Clarkson (F Bealham 49); J McCarthy (J Ryan 65), T Beirne; P O’Mahony, J Van der Flier, J Conan (R Baird 44)
Red card: Ringrose
Referee: Christophe Ridley (ENG)
04:53 PM GMT
Thank you for joining us
That brings our coverage of this Ireland victory over Wales to an end. Thank you for joining us and a reminder you can follow Telegraph Sport’s live updates of England’s clash against Scotland here.
04:48 PM GMT
‘It was about removing the fear’, says Sherratt
Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt told BBC One: “Firstly I loved it, it was a great game.
“This week has just been about us trying to get some confidence in the group and then trying to imprint what we’ve done on the field, and for large parts they did that.
“There has been a lot of people who have done this in the week, it’s not down to me.
“We put a clear plan together for the players, one or two things we thought we could put all our energy into, because there has been no lack of emotion and passion from the boys.
“It was just about removing the fear and letting them go on the field and express themselves a little bit within our structures.”
04:45 PM GMT
England vs Scotland underway
England are looking to end their four-match winless run against Scotland this afternoon. Things have just got underway at Twickenham and you can follow Telegraph Sport’s live updates of this clash here.
04:44 PM GMT
‘We can be really proud’, says Morgan
Wales captain Jac Morgan told S4C: “We know we put a lot of pressure on Ireland.
“There was so much confidence in our performance, we can be really proud of the way we played.
“Credit to Ireland they’re one of the best teams in the world, but we were in the game for most of it. I thought we were amazing today and the boys were great.
“In attack we were braver and took our chances. I thought the boys were great chasing kicks in the air, and Ellis [Mee] was great especially for his first cap, a proud moment for him.
“We could hear the crowd were all behind us and the support. It raises the boys spirits knowing there’s support behind us.
“We’re always thankful to the crowd for coming to the stadium and making themselves heard. We know it’s been a tough time, so we’re always thankful for the support we get from everybody.
“It means a lot to us as a group of boys, and we just want to make everybody proud.”
04:41 PM GMT
‘That was a proper Test match’, says Sheehan
Ireland captain Dan Sheehan told BBC One: “That was exactly what we expected, a proper Test game in a beautiful stadium in front of some seriously passionate fans.
“Fair play to Wales, that was a proper Test match and I’d say we’ll feel it for a few days but I’m proud of the boys.
“We said it all week. They’d have their purple patches and their moments of strength.
“We just have to stick to what we do all the time, that’s our process, it’s staying calm, we didn’t panic and we had to eke it out one minute at a time. That’s what all those lads have practised for years.
“We rely heavily on our bench. They came on and made a massive impact, James Ryan, Bundee [Aki] both made a huge impact to lift the boys with fresh energy. That was the making of the game there, relying on our bench to bring that energy.”
04:37 PM GMT
‘Wales so proud’, says Llewellyn
Wales centre Max Llewellyn told S4C: “We’re so proud.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game but we had faith that we were going to win. I’m so proud for the boys, we only had three training sessions before the game, and a lot of learning was done.
“We were more organised than we have been. We were trying to make it easy for our forwards to stay zonal.
“It took a lot of pressure off the forwards who work so hard in the middle of the pitch. It’s nice to see after only three sessions we look better.
“I was happy to be picked again and I’m very thankful to ‘Jockey’ [Matt Sherratt] to be back in the team.”
04:33 PM GMT
‘Very tough out there’, says Gibson-Park
Speaking about this afternoon’s game, Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park said: “We have to give a lot of credit to Wales I think, it was very tough out there today. They’re an unbelievable team a proud nation and they sure showed that today.
On whether Wales’ performance was a surprise, he said: “No I don’t think so. That would be a dangerous thing to come here with any pre-conceived ideas - playing in the Millennium Stadium against Wales - it was always going to be tough and they sure proved that today.”
04:27 PM GMT
How did today’s game affect your Lions team?
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04:27 PM GMT
Valiant effort but defeat for Wales
04:24 PM GMT
Where this leaves us
Ireland move eight points clear at the top of the Six Nations table thanks to their win this afternoon, sitting now on 14 points.
Simon Easterby’s men failed to pick up the winning bonus point for the first time this year, presenting the chance for France and England to go within three points.
Wales remain at the foot of the table on one point, three points adrift of Italy in fifth. They will be buoyant though heading into their home ties with England Scotland following today’s performance.
04:20 PM GMT
Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?
Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.
04:19 PM GMT
‘Amazing job from Sherratt’, says Davies
Speaking on BBC, former Wales international Jonathan Davies said: “It’s been a great Test match. Ireland know they’ve been in a game.
“We were all worried it was going to be so one-sided, but what a performance by this Welsh side.
“Matt Sherratt has done an amazing job, he’s given them belief, confidence and a bit more shape.
“Everyone in the Welsh camp should be very pleased with themselves.
04:17 PM GMT
‘Deserved win for Ireland’, says Jones
Speaking on S4C, former Wales captain Gwyn Jones said: “Ireland deserve to win, they’ve been the complete team and won the important seconds.
“Despite that Wales can take so much from that game. Self-respect is back in Welsh Rugby.”
04:15 PM GMT
No fairytale for Wales
The fairytale is not happening now, but not sure the Welsh support have ever prouder of their national team. True, it’s about winning. But not 100 percent about winning. Cardiff will be a happy place tonight. Not a hint of Irish arrogance in sight.
04:14 PM GMT
Full time: Wales 18 Ireland 27
Wales are penalised again in the breakdown and with the shot clock ticking into the red, Prendergast kicks wide and short.
Can Wales find a losing bonus point? Murray goes marauding forward before tripping over his own feet before halfway. Thomas then spills it though and Prendergast can kick into touch to end this enthralling encounter.
Ireland have won the Triple Crown and Wales lose a 15th successive match but what a superb effort from the home side. They will take so much from that performance.
04:10 PM GMT
Penalty! Prendergast takes Ireland to verge of victory
Wales 18 Ireland 27 (Prendergast) Ireland are mounting the pressure on Wales, forcing them back inside their own half as the home side look to play their way up the pitch.
Some excellent counter-rucking earns the penalty for the visitors and Prendergast kicks between the posts to take Ireland nine points clear.
04:07 PM GMT
76 mins: Wales 18 Ireland 24
Ireland win the penalty at the scrum and there are huge cheers from the visiting players before it’s kicked into touch down their left by Prendergast.
A huge kick from Gibson-Parker following the ruck takes Ireland even further up the pitch. Can Wales respond?
04:04 PM GMT
73 mins: Wales 18 Ireland 24
Prendergast is rushed into his kick and sees it fly straight into touch, giving Wales the line-out on the 22 down their right. Can they make it count?
Wales work it superbly out to Mee on the left flank and he makes a burst for the line. He reaches out to touch it down in the corner but it is a close one whether he was forced into touch and whether he had control as he grounded it.
The onfield decision is try but the TMO, after a lengthy check, rules that it is a knock-on after Mee initially grounded it short. The right call but it was so close!
03:57 PM GMT
Penalty! Prendergast extends Irish lead from halfway
Wales 18 Ireland 24 (Prendergast) There is a TMO check for head contact by Henry Thomas on Porter following the restart. It’s judged to have been chest on head contact instead so there is no foul play.
Aki forces the foul from Wales in the breakdown for not releasing and Prendergast is going to kick from just inside the Welsh half.
It’s straight down the middle with distance to spare and Ireland move six points clear.
03:52 PM GMT
Penalty! Prendergast gives Ireland the lead
Wales 18 Ireland 21 (Prendergast) Ireland win the free-kick at the scrum and Prendergast pulls off another fabulous kick into touch deep into the Welsh half.
After kicks from either side, Ireland drive to within a couple of metres before Hansen makes the dart for the line. He is held up though by a fabulous challenge from Murray.
They have a penalty advantage though and are going to kick for the posts. Prendergast makes no mistake this time to give Ireland the lead.
03:48 PM GMT
WATCH: Rogers giving Wales the lead
03:47 PM GMT
63 mins: Wales 18 Ireland 18
Ireland are penalised for a neck roll at the breakdown and Evans does really well to take Wales close to the 22, with very little angle to work with from inside his own half.
Thomas spots a gap and bursts through it to drive Wales towards the 22. Mee makes up similar ground a moment later but his offload is spilt and Ireland have the scrum. A really dynamic and promising attacking from the home side though.
03:43 PM GMT
Welsh passion rediscovered
Just to be level going into the last quarter is remarkable. Matt Sherratt will be loved whatever happens tonight. Gatland’s stand-in has rediscovered the passion in Welsh rugby. God knows how.
03:42 PM GMT
60 mins: Wales 18 Ireland 18
Wales win the foul at the breakdown and Evans, who is on in place of Anscombe during his HIA, finds touch down their left.
Soon after the line-out though and the replacement spills it as the ball is shifted to the right, gifting Ireland have the scrum. There is a pause though before the scrum as Aki receives treatment for a knock on his face.
03:39 PM GMT
TRY! Osborne levels it for Ireland
Wales 18 Ireland 18 (Osborne) Following the line-out, Ireland quickly have the penalty advantage. They don’t need it though as Gibson-Parker pulls off the crossfield kick towards the left.
As the ball goes just beyond the try-line in the corner, Lowe leaps superbly to tap it back inside to Osborne who crosses to take Ireland level.
Prendergast pushes his kick just wide of the right post and the sides remain level.
03:36 PM GMT
54 mins: Wales 18 Ireland 13
McCarthy thinks he has forced the turnover at the line-out but a TMO check shows he made his move while the Welsh players were still in the air.
Prendergast produces a pin-point spiral kick to make the 50-22 and Ireland have the attacking line-out again down their right.
03:34 PM GMT
52 mins: Wales 18 Ireland 13
Wales find themselves in a promising position down their left but Ireland force the foul and the break in play allows Aki to come on to restore Ireland to the full 15.
The visitors kick into touch down their right for the attacking line-out. After a few attacking phases Prendergast nudges it down the right but it dribbles out into touch.
03:30 PM GMT
Penalty! Prendergast reduces deficit
Wales 18 Ireland 13 (Prendergast) With Ireland soon to be restored to 15, they win the foul in the breakdown as they break into the Welsh 22 and after initially playing the advantage, it’s brought back.
Prendergast converts from under the posts to take Ireland within one score.
03:28 PM GMT
Have your say
03:27 PM GMT
Welsh joy but should it have been an 80-minute red for Ringrose?
Tom Rogers has sent this crowd into apoplexy. There is a big danger here that if this continues, Welsh joy might turn into arrogance. That red should have been an 80-minute red. Referee bottled it. Problem with the new law.
03:25 PM GMT
TRY! Wales extend lead through Rogers
Wales 18 Ireland 10 (Rogers) Wales are penalised for a high tackle but they quickly turn it over in the breakdown.
The hosts threaten down their left through Mee before working it really well out to the right. Osborne does superbly to dart towards the corner before playing to Rogers on his outside.
With Lowe flying in to make the tackle, Rogers makes a leap for the line in the and touches down with an incredible finish.
Anscombe misses the conversion but the home side have an eight-point lead!
03:21 PM GMT
41 mins: Wales 13 Ireland 10
The players are back out for the second half. Can Wales hang on to secure their first win in 15 games or will Ireland turn things around to keep hopes of a Grand Slam alive?
The referee confirms that Ringrose’s yellow has been upgraded to a 20-minute red card. This means that Ringrose can’t come back on but another Irish player can come on in his place after 20 minutes. This will most likely be Aki.
The hosts get the action back underway kicking from left to right.
03:17 PM GMT
Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?
Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.
03:16 PM GMT
What an impact from Sherratt
Ireland looked shell-shocked as they retreated to the dressing room. Haven't had it their way at all, particularly at scrum time. Big moment for Simon Easterby, who has looked a safe pair of hands since stepping in for Andy Farrell. But can Ireland's interim head coach inspire his team to a second half performance in the bear pit that is the Principality Stadium right now? The place is absolutely jumping. What an impact Matt Sherratt has had. Wales look far less constrained ball in hand. Great entertainment.
Ireland looked shell-shocked as they retreated to the dressing room. Haven’t had it their way at all, particularly at scrum time.
Big moment for Simon Easterby, who has looked a safe pair of hands since stepping in for Andy Farrell. But can Ireland’s interim head coach inspire his team to a second half performance in the bear pit that is the Principality Stadium right now? The place is absolutely jumping.
What an impact Matt Sherratt has had. Wales look far less constrained ball in hand. Great entertainment.
03:15 PM GMT
Euphoria... for now
Oh my dear God. It is like the last three years did not happen. Actually it is like Covid did not happen. This might be temporary euphoria, but just as Off The Ball suggested, maybe Ireland should bring on their Under-20s (except they got beat in Newport last night).
03:08 PM GMT
Ringrose decision pivotal
To be fair, the Off The Ball lads did say it would be a decent game if Ireland had 14 or even 13 players. Well, we’re about to find out. Ringrose in the bin and could see his yellow upgraded.
03:07 PM GMT
Half-time: Wales 13 Ireland 10
Wales go to the interval leading Ireland 13-10 after an incredible first half. Things could get even better for the home side if Ringrose’s yellow is upgraded to a red. But either way, a huge second half awaits Sherratt’s men.
03:05 PM GMT
TRY! Wales take the lead
Wales 13 Ireland 10 (Morgan) The Welsh forwards maul to within two metres following their line-out down the left. Ireland defend really well for a long period but eventually Morgan forces it over under the posts with an incredible drive and the Principality erupts as Wales take the lead.
Anscombe converts with the final touch of the first half and what an incredible half it has been for the hosts. Could they be on their way to a first win in 15?
03:02 PM GMT
40+2 mins: Wales 6 Ireland 10
As Wales maul towards the line following the line-out they quickly have the penalty advantage.
Williams makes a burst for the line but falls a few inches short. They recycle it out towards the right but nothing comes of it and it’s brought back for the penalty.
They opt to kick for the corner again rather than going for the three points.
03:00 PM GMT
40 mins: Wales 6 Ireland 10
After reducing their deficit, Wales give away a soft penalty in the breakdown but Prendergast strikes the right post from a bit further out this time.
Mee knocks it on as Wales put together a promising move but Ireland are once again penalised in the scrum and the home side can find touch down their left, about 10 yards out. Can they make the extra man pay?
02:58 PM GMT
Ringrose could see red
That has to be red. They were both at the same height. There is no mitigation. An air of disbelief here at the Principality… and then Wales give a soft penalty.
02:57 PM GMT
Penalty! Anscombe reduces deficit
Wales 6 Ireland 10 (Anscombe) With Ringrose making way, Anscombe steps up from the tee and makes it with ease from under the posts. Wales have reduced their deficit to just four points and will now have the man advantage for the remainder of this first half.
02:55 PM GMT
Yellow card! Ringrose in the sin bin
Wales 3 Ireland 10 (Ringrose) There is some excellent counter-rucking from John to win the foul for Wales in the breakdown and Anscombe boots into touch down the home side’s right-hand side.
Wales penetrate the 22 with some really slick passing out towards the left and after a number of attacking phases they have the penalty advantage. They move it back to the right but it’s quickly brought back for the penalty.
There is a TMO check for head contact from Ringrose in a tackle with Thomas and he is shown yellow! It’s under review so could be upgraded to a red.
02:50 PM GMT
30 mins: Wales 3 Ireland 10
Wales are defending really narrowly and Ireland put a sensational move together to work it out to the left with Hansen playing a superb slung pass over the defender to Osborne.
But the full-back plays a really poor final pass out to Ringrose - too low and too far in front of him - and Wales have the scrum. A big chance wasted by both sides in the last few moments.
02:45 PM GMT
Wales showing invention
Wales have shown more invention in the last 10 minutes than they have in the last two years. Max Llewellyn looking really good.
02:45 PM GMT
27 mins: Wales 3 Ireland 10
Wales work it swiftly out to Mee who bursts down their right before nudging it towards the posts but Ireland’s captain Sheehan is there to put out the fire.
The home side then put another really nice move together down their right but Williams spills it at the crucial moment after Morgan popped it back inside. A huge chance blown for the hosts!
02:41 PM GMT
Penalty! Wales are on the board
Wales 3 Ireland 10 (Anscombe) Ireland are penalised in the breakdown as Wales drive into their 22 and Anscombe kicks from underneath the posts to get his side on the board.
02:39 PM GMT
Penalty! Prendergast extends visitors’ lead
Wales 0 Ireland 10 (Prendergast) Wales win the scrum on the edge of their own 22 for an Irish knock-on but this time the home side are penalised for collapsing the scrum.
Ireland are opting to kick for the posts to keep the scoreboard moving. Prendergast steps up and makes it two from two from the tee to extend his side’s lead to 10 points.
02:36 PM GMT
19 mins: Wales 0 Ireland 7
Anscombe does really well to chase his own kick and retain possession for his side but some loose passing from Wales gifts it back to Ireland.
Gibson-Park makes the slightly rash decision to kick and Mee can sweep up well once again.
Smith is making way for Wales for a head injury assessment (HIA) and Thomas is on in his place for now.
02:33 PM GMT
17 mins: Wales 0 Ireland 7
Ireland work it really swiftly out towards the right and Lowe plays the dummy before darting for the line but Mee does excellently again to make the tackle and force the knock-on from the Irish winger.
Yet again, Wales win the penalty at the scrum. Could a warning be coming for Ireland at the scrum? Wales can kick into touch over halfway and that will do nicely do ease a strong spell of pressure from the visitors.
02:30 PM GMT
14 mins: Wales 0 Ireland 7
Ireland are penalised again for collapsing the scrum and Wales can kick into touch, over halfway. They lose out though at the line-out as Van der Flier wins the turnover.
Prendergast plays a deft kick out wide to Hansen and he nudges it on further towards the try-line but debutant Mee does superbly to sweep up and deny Gibson-Park.
02:27 PM GMT
11 mins: Wales 0 Ireland 7
Rogers does superbly to claim Anscombe’s long kick forward and Wales have a chance to move towards the Irish 22.
Jenkins gives away a soft foul in the ruck though and Ireland will have the line-out just outside the Welsh 22. They knock it on though as it’s hurled over meaning Wales are spared this time around.
02:24 PM GMT
TRY! Conan crosses for Ireland
Wales 0 Ireland 7 (Conan) After a number of attacking phases following the line-out, a crucial drive from McCarthy takes Ireland to within a yard of the line.
It’s worked outside to Gibson-Parker and he pops it off to Conan who makes the final drive for the line. Great strength shown from the number eight.
Prendergast converts from just left of centre.
02:22 PM GMT
7 mins: Wales 0 Ireland 0
Ireland counter ruck superbly before Ringrose nudges the ball down the right flank and it actually dribbles out for a 50-22 meaning Ireland have the line-out.
The visitors drive to within a couple of metres of the line and despite the ball running loose, they have the penalty advantage and Prendergast kicks into touch right in the corner.
02:19 PM GMT
4 mins: Wales 0 Ireland 0
Ireland play a forward pass as they shift it out to their left but it’s brought back for an earlier knock-on by Murray as he looked to take a long kick. The visitors have the scrum just inside the Welsh half.
Wales win the foul in the scrum for an elbow collapse by Porter and the home side can find touch down their right for an attacking line-out.
02:15 PM GMT
1 min: Wales 0 Ireland 0
We are underway here at the Principality with Ireland and Prendergast - in white - kicking things off going from left to right.
The referee this afternoon is Christophe Ridley of England. His assistants are Nika Amashukeli of Georgia and Gianluca Gnecchi of Italy.
The TMO is Englishman Ian Tempest while the FPRO is Italian Matteo Liperini.
02:12 PM GMT
National anthems underway
The players are out on the pitch at the Principality and up first is the Irish national anthem.
For the first time this tournament, we then hear the Welsh national anthem sung by a home crowd.
02:11 PM GMT
Odds stacked against Wales
Atmosphere building in Cardiff. A Welsh choir gives a rousing rendition of the Fields of Athenry, which is enjoyed by Ireland’s fans.
Wales won’t want to be so hospitable on the pitch but it’s hard to see past an Ireland win. Rugby Pass’ ‘live win probability’ is currently 90% Ireland 10% Wales.
One late change for Ireland with Ryan Baird replacing Cian Prendergast on the bench. But if anything that switch only emphasises Ireland’s extraordinary strength in depth.
02:10 PM GMT
No late withdrawals this time for the Welsh
Things are clearly looking up for Wales in this Six Nations. This is the first time in 2025 they have gone into a match without a really late withdrawal, albeit Josh Adams pulling up in training on Tuesday. Is this a portent to a famous Cardiff afternoon? Probably not.
02:08 PM GMT
Conan on Doris injury
Ireland’s Jack Conan thinks the team’s back row will be under a “huge amount of pressure” to fill the void left by Caelan Doris’ knee injury.
“How do you fill that role? It’s very difficult,” said Conan.
“He’s played 42 in a row which is a testament to how professional he is, how durable he is, how consistent he’s been as a player.
“There’ll be a huge amount of pressure on the entirety of the back row, whoever is on the bench and the lads that are starting, to keep on pushing from where he left off because he’s been unbelievable.”
02:05 PM GMT
Sherratt on selection
Interim Wales coach Matt Sherratt has outlined why he has changed more than half the side.
“There are numerous reasons,” said Sherratt.
“There were a couple of little injury doubts and then probably just in general, my mindset coming in was just to make sure I enjoy it and try to do things my way, with the way I think the game should be played.”
When asked about the opportunity to cement his name in the history of Welsh rugby, he replied: “You mentioned the word ‘opportunity’ and it really is. It is. But I haven’t really over-thought it. It’s a game of rugby ultimately with 80,000 people watching.
“It will be faster, there’s more pressure, the collisions will be bigger. But that word opportunity is the one we used when we were speaking to the players.”
02:01 PM GMT
Head-to-head
Ireland have won seven of their last eight Tests against Wales, including the last three in a row by margins of more than 20 points.
Ireland have outscored Wales by four tries to one in each of the three most recent Six Nations meetings.
01:57 PM GMT
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01:55 PM GMT
Easterby on speculation over Wales job
Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby has said he has had no contact from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) about replacing Warren Gatland as head coach.
“I didn’t really know that I had been linked, but of course there’s been speculation and that’s all it is: speculation,” said Easterby.
“I’m not in control of that. I love what I do here. I’ve been in this position with the team for a long time and I’m very fortunate with the people I get to work with, both management and players, and for me that’s a dream job.
“Speculation is exactly that, it’s speculation and it’s not something I can control.
“Right now, this is my only focus and whatever happens in the future... in a year’s time you could lose your job and we know in sport it’s fairly fluid around people moving from thing to thing,” added Easterby.
“Whatever’s gone on, I’ve had no contact from the WRU, so for me it’s all guns blazing towards Cardiff on Saturday and making sure me and the other coaches prepare the team in the right way. Whatever speculation goes on outside of that is outside of my control.”
01:52 PM GMT
The scene at the Principality
01:48 PM GMT
Exclusive: Gatland on criticism from former players
Warren Gatland has said he left his role as Wales head coach after being “weighed down” by criticism, including from his former players.
“You give that facade in terms of not showing everything or too much emotion,” he said in an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport.
“I’ve felt a huge amount of negativity in the Welsh press and that just kept weighing down on me. I just kept thinking, ‘where is someone in my corner or someone fighting a little bit for me?’.
“It’s been tough. They (former players) are trying to find their feet in the game and sometimes you have to be seen to be objective. And by being objective, be critical.
“I look and can say that there’s a number of them that wouldn’t be in the media if they hadn’t played for Wales, or hadn’t played for the [British and Irish] Lions, or hadn’t been successful.”
01:45 PM GMT
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01:43 PM GMT
Late personnel change for Ireland
01:41 PM GMT
As things stand
Ireland lead the way thanks to their perfect start having registered two bonus-point victories so far.
France and England are level on six points with Scotland trailing by a point in fourth and Italy a further point behind in fifth.
Wales are at the foot of the table having lost both of their opening games. They sit on one point thanks to their losing bonus point in Rome.
01:39 PM GMT
Elsewhere this weekend
England will be hoping for a first win in five against Scotland when they host Gregor Townsend’s men later on this afternoon.
The two sides have picked up one win from their opening two ties but England are currently edging it thanks to their losing bonus-point against Ireland.
Sunday sees Italy host France with the visitors looking to keep the pressure on Ireland ahead of their clash in two weeks’ time.
Italy and France have both registered one win from their opening two matches but the French lead by two points after picking up a bonus point in each of theirs.
01:35 PM GMT
Campaigns so far
Ireland produced a dominant second-half display to kick off their Six Nations campaign with a 27-22 win over England in Dublin.
Simon Easterby’s men then made it two from two as they beat Scotland 32-18 in another impressive and ruthless display at Murrayfield.
Wales meanwhile, continued their rotten run in the competition after picking up the Wooden Spoon last year as they were thumped 43-0 by France on the opening weekend.
A second Wooden Spoon appears increasingly likely after they then made it 14 losses on the trot as they were beaten 22-15 by Italy in Rome.
01:31 PM GMT
Have your say
01:29 PM GMT
Exclusive: Gatland on Wales exit
Warren Gatland has said he felt before the game against Italy that defeat could bring an end to his second spell as Wales head coach if his side lost.
“It was always a must-win game,” Gatland said in an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport.
“The Friday or the Saturday before the game, I made sort of a decision without thinking too much about it.
“If we didn’t win that game, then I’d have to seriously consider my position. It would be the best time and the best thing for everyone to walk away.”
01:25 PM GMT
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01:21 PM GMT
Dan Sherratt’s family left fuming by shock Wales promotion – it has cost them their £2 pints
Matt Sherratt’s family was looking forward to travelling to Cardiff to watch Wales host Ireland in the Six Nations. Yet since his elevation to head coach of the national team, he now claims they are “fuming” - because he will no longer be on hand to buy them cheap beer.
If anything highlights the chaotic nature of Welsh rugby in the last few weeks since Warren Gatland’s departure two days after the last Championship game - a 22-15 defeat by Italy that took their record losing run to 14 matches - it is the overhaul of the life of Sherratt, a 46-year-old former primary school teacher who has never played a first-class game.
And perhaps the story concerning his relatives coming to the daunting encounter sums up the frantic build-up perfectly.
After naming his team to face the Irish - who are 1-50 to win at the Principality Stadium and are odds-on to become the first country ever to win three Championship titles in a row - Sherratt was asked if he ever thought it possible he would ever be in this position with three matches remaining, he laughed.
In truth, the Cardiff head coach did not believe he would even be going to the game.
“It’s my brother-in-law’s 50th birthday this weekend, and I got tickets, not for the match itself, but to watch it in the Cardiff clubhouse,” Sherratt said. “So now they are fuming with me. They only wanted me to go because, with my staff reduction, I can buy pints for £2. However, as I can’t - for obvious reasons, be there in the bar with them, they are frightened to death they will have to pay £3.50 per pint.”
Surely Sherratt, sitting supreme in the hot-seat, could get them into the Principality Stadium to see the biggest day of his sporting life, in person? “Nah,” he said. “I had too many requests, so they can watch it on TV.” In fairness, it is a 74,000 sell-out and the Irish do come over in numbers.
01:17 PM GMT
Those teams in full
Wales: Murray; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Mee; Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Smith, Dee, John, Rowlands, D Jenkins, Morgan (capt), Reffell, Faletau.
Replacements: E Lloyd, G Thomas, H Thomas, Teddy Williams, Wainwright, R Williams, J Evans, J Roberts.
Ireland: Osborne; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; S Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan (capt), Clarkson; McCarthy, Beirne; O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: McCarthy, Boyle, Bealham, Ryan, C Prendergast, Murray, Crowley, Aki.
01:13 PM GMT
Holders make seven changes
Simon Easterby has made seven changes to the Ireland team which beat Scotland last time out.
Dan Sheehan has been named captain of a much-changed side with fellow hooker Ronan Kelleher ruled out by a neck injury and regular skipper Caelan Doris sidelined with a knee issue.
01:08 PM GMT
Eight changes for Wales
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt, who will be in charge for his first game following Warren Gatland’s departure, has made eight personnel changes from the side that lost against Italy.
Scarlets wing Ellis Mee is among those to come into the side and is set to make his debut.
01:03 PM GMT
Preview: Top vs bottom as Wales begin life without Gatland
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of the Six Nations as Wales host Ireland at the Principality Stadium in their first match since Warren Gatland’s resignation as head coach. After a hammering from France in their opening game, defeat for Wales last time out against Italy was the final straw for the 61-year-old as his side extended their losing streak to 14 matches, in a run dating back to October 2023.
Matt Sherratt has stepped in as interim head coach and will look to prevent Wales from suffering a ninth successive Six Nations defeat in his first match in charge this afternoon. The 47-year-old has insisted he will be doing things “my way” and has made this apparent with his team selection, making eight changes to the side which lost in Rome.
The Englishman will have his work cut out though as his side welcome an Irish team who are bidding to become the first country to win three consecutive Six Nations titles. The holders will also have their eyes on the Grand Slam following bonus-point victories over England and Scotland in their opening two games of the championships.
Ireland are also under the guidance of an interim boss, with Simon Easterby stepping in during this campaign with head coach Andy Farrell on British and Irish Lions duty. They have appeared unaffected by his absence though, with the victory over Scotland marking their 14th win from their last 15 Six Nations ties.
Easterby has also made a number of changes this afternoon with captain Caelan Dorris ruled out through a knee injury while Ronan Kelleher has also been sidelined. There has been some positive injury news for the 49-year-old, though, with Mack Hansen returning to the wing after missing the Scotland game.
