Ireland Player Ratings vs Wales: Aoife Wafer And Brittany Hogan Star

Sunday, 10 May 2026 at 18:10

byMegan Carthew

Ireland produced a commanding display to defeat Wales 33-12 in front of a home crowd, with Aoife Wafer and Brittany Hogan leading the charge in an impressive performance from Scott Bemand’s side.

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The start of the game was a little cagey with both Ireland and Wales having periods of possession. However, it was Ireland who launched the first successful attack with Aoife Wafer pushed over the try line and opened the scoring for the home side and with Dannah O’Brien having added the extras, Ireland took a seven-point lead.

Wales responded quickly going on the attack, but the Ireland defence stood strong. However, Wales eventually found a way through with Georgia Evans reaching the try line and with Keira Bevan successfully having converted it, the score was levelled.

A great move off the scrum and offload from Aoife Wafer set Béibhinn Parsons down the wing and pulled Ireland back into the lead.

Ireland finished the first half strong with Brittany Hogan finding the try line and extended the lead to 12 points going into half time.

Half Time Score: Ireland 19–7 Wales

A tense start to the second half with Clíodhna Maloney-Macdonald receiving a yellow card for a cynical kick on Georgia Evans.

Despite Ireland being down to 14, Aoife Wafer makes a great run giving Ireland much needed territory, and with Wales having recieved a yellow card to Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, the sides were now even.

With Ireland back to 15, the home side power forward against a 14 player Wales and Aoife Wafer shows her world class ability and scores her second try of the game.

At the 60-minute mark, both teams made significant changes however Ireland remain the dominant side consistently confining Wales to their own half.

Wales finally get a solid period of possession; Wales get their second try of the game with Jasmine Joyce-Butchers scoring on the wing.

However, Ireland finished the game strong with Brittany Hogan getting her second try of the game and Ireland’s fifth try in the 80th minute.

Full Time Score

Ireland: 33

Tries: Wafer (12’ 55’) Parsons (29’) Hogan (43’ 80’)
Conversions: O’Brien (13’ 44’ 55’ 81’)
Yellow Cards: Maloney-Macdonald (41’)

Starting XV:
1 Ellena Perry, 2 Clíodhna Maloney-MacDonald, 3 Linda Djougang, 4 Dorothy Wall, 5 Fiona Tuite 6 Brittany Hogan, 7 Erin King (c), 8 Aoife Wafer, 9 Emily Lane, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 11 Robyn O’Connor, 12 Aoife Dalton 13 Eve Higgins, 14 Béibhinn Parsons, 15 Stacy Flood

Replacements:
16 Neve Jones 17 Sadhbh McGrath, 18 Eilís Cahill, 19 Ruth Campbell, 20 Sam Monaghan, 21 Grace Moore, 22 Katie Whelen, 23 Niamh Gallagher

Wales: 12

Tries: Evans (22’) J.Joyce-Butchers (76’)
Conversions: Bevan (23’)
Yellow Cards: J.Joyce-Butchers (48’)

Starting XV:
1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4 Branwen Metcalfe, 5 Georgia Evans, 6 Jorja Aiono, 7 Bethan Lewis (c), 8 Bryonie King, 9 Keira Bevan, 10 Lleucu George, 11 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 12 Courtney Keight, 13 Carys Cox, 14 Hannah Dallavalle, 15 Kayleigh Powell

Replacements:
16 Molly Reardon, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Natalia John, 20 Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 21 Seren Lockwood, 22 Freya Bell, 23 Nikita Prothero

Ireland Player Ratings

15 Stacey Flood (off at 60) - 7

A strong performance from the full back, commanded the back field well and anticipated and dealt well with the opposition kicking game.

14 Béibhinn Parsons - 8

The winger had an outstanding game running absolutely rampant on the wing and bagged herself try.

13 Eve Higgins - 7

A really great game for the centre making some great line breaks and attacking runs, while also playing a key role in assisting try scorers.

12 Aoife Dalton - 7

The centre had a strong game putting in some big tackles while also playing a part in some great passages of attacking play.

11 Robyn O’Connor - 6

A solid game from the winger, however, was outshone by her opposite winger.

10 Dannah O’Brien - 7

The fly half had a superb game, kicking 4 out of 5 from the tee and in general having a great kicking game.

9 Emily Lane (off at 66) - 6

The scrum half had a solid game, and played a key part in keeping up the speed of play.

1 Ellena Perry (off at 60) - 6

A solid shift from the prop, putting in some big tackles and playing a key part in the successful Irish scrum and maul.

2 Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald (off at 60) - 6

A decent game for the Exeter Chiefs hooker, having made some great tackles and carries however she recieveed a yellow card for what could be described as a cynical reaction.

3 Linda Djougang (off at 78’) - 7

The Cameroon-born prop had a great game playing a key part in the scrum and maul and helping stop the dangerous Welsh driving maul.

4 Dorothy Wall (off at 60) - 6

A solid game from the Exeter Chiefs second row, playing a key part in the lineout success Ireland had.

5 Fiona Tuite (off at 60) - 6

The lock had a good game making some great turnovers in key moments and making some big tackles and carries throughout her time on the pitch.

6 Brittany Hogan - 9

An incredible game for the flanker who currently plays her club rugby at Sale Sharks, she made some big carries and tackles along with scoring two tries helping seal Ireland’s victory in the second half.

7 Erin King (c) (off at 64) - 7

The Ireland captain had a superb game making some big tackles, carries and turnovers in key areas, while also keeping her team calm in tense moments and difficult moments such as Maloney-Macdonald's yellow card.

8 Aoife Wafer - 9

What a game, for what is quickly becoming the Irish superstar! Not only did she score two tries of her own she helped assist the other try scorers as well as making some big tackles and carries throughout the game.

Replacements

Overall the replacements did well to help control the game and keep the lead. Notable mentions Sam Monaghan and Grace Moore did an outstanding job when they entered the field of play.