The Wales vs Ireland player ratings following a fascinating 2023 Six Nations opener at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
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Andy Farrell’s men showed everybody why they’re the number one side in the world.
Starting with a real intensity, the men in green eased to a 34-10 win against Wales, giving Warren Gatland food for thought in his first game back.
The Kiwi, who was brought back as Wales coach to replace fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac, will now know the size of his task in a World Cup year.
Ireland took just two minutes to open the try-scoring through Caelan Doris before James Ryan crossed after eight minutes. Johnny Sexton converted both.
A Dan Biggar penalty got Wales on the scoreboard, but the men in green moved further clear when Sexton added a penalty of his own before converting James Lowe’s intercept try, 3-22.
Another penalty from Sexton extended the away sides lead to 24 points at the break.
Wales rallied and dominated after the restart, but could only score one try through Liam Williams.
Star player Josh van der Flier then secured the bonus-point win for the Irish with seven minutes to go.
Scroll down for the Wales vs Ireland player ratings.
Wales: 10 (3)
- Tries: Williams 46
- Cons: Biggar 46
- Pens: Biggar 13
Ireland: 27 (27)
- Tries: Doris 2, Ryan 8, Lowe 20, van der Flier 73
- Cons: Sexton 3,9,21, Bryne 73
- Pens: Sexton 18,27
Charles Tyrwhitt Player of the Match:
Wales vs Ireland stats:
Carries: Caelan Doris (Ireland- 11
Metres: James Lowe (Ireland) – 96
Offloads: Dan Biggar (Wales) -2
Tackles: Ken Owens (Wales) – 15
Tackles missed: George North (Wales) – 3
Turnovers: James Lowe (Ireland) – 2
Turnovers conceded: Dan Biggar (Wales) -1
Handling errors: Taulupe Faletau (Wales) – 3
Penalties conceded: Taulupe Faletau (Wales) – 3
Wales vs Ireland player ratings:
Ireland: Keenan 8 ; Hansen 6, Ringrose 7, McCloskey 6, Lowe 8; Sexton 6, Murray 6; Porter 7, Sheehan 8, Bealham 7; Beirne 7, Ryan 6; O’Mahony 7, Van der Flier 8, Doris 9.
Wales: L Williams 7; Adams 6, North 5, Hawkins 7, Dyer 7; Biggar 6, T Williams 6; G Thomas 6, Owens (capt) 8, Francis 6, Beard 5, Alun Wyn Jones 5, Morgan 7, Tipuric 6, Faletau 4.