Ireland secured an 18th Test victory in a row in Dublin, as they saw off Wales in Six Nations Round 3

Ireland’s quest for back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams remains on, as they secured a 31-7 victory over Wales in Round 3 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. 

Hooker Dan Sheehan, wing James Lowe, full-back Ciaran Frawley and lock Tadhg Beirne scored tries in the bonus-point success, with out-half Jack Crowley finishing 100 per cent with the boot, landing a penalty and all four conversions.

Wales, who were 17-0 behind at half-time, rallied to hit back via a penalty try – for which Beirne was sin-binned – but they could not score again, leaving them with three defeats from the opening three rounds.

The victory was a record-extending 18th success in a row for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, and a record-equalling 11th successive Six Nations Test win (level with England 2015-2017).

Ireland hit the front in the seventh minute, after a strong Lowe carry saw Wales centre Nick Tompkins grapple the wing around the neck, allowing Crowley to kick Ireland 3-0 up with a penalty from 40 metres out.

Jack Crowley registered the first points of the day via a penalty

Superb Wales maul defence and a Tommy Reffell breakdown penalty denied Ireland the next two times they kicked to the corner instead of potential shots at the posts, but it was third time lucky in the 21st minute.

Indeed, after a dominant Ireland scrum forced a penalty against the head and Crowley kicked into the corner again, the Welsh defence finally cracked as an eventual 12-man Ireland maul forced Sheehan over.

Ireland’s Dan Sheehan celebrates after scoring their first try via a driving maul

Crowley converted with aplomb for 10-0, and though the Ireland lineout was not enjoying top success, the scrum remained in command to keep the hosts attacking in the Welsh half.

When Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins was penalised at a ruck in front of the posts, Ireland skipper Peter O’Mahony made a big call to kick to the corner instead of a certain kick for points.

Again it proved the right call, as Ireland hammered at the Wales line before a magnificent Calvin Nash offload presented Lowe the opportunity to touch down in the corner in the 32nd minute.

James Lowe scored Ireland’s second first-half try, after taking a superb Calvin Nash offload

A stunning Crowley conversion from virtually on the touchline left things 17-0, and though Wales kicked to the corner twice for attacks in the Ireland 22 as the half drew to a close, the Ireland defence gave no inch.

Three minutes into the second half Wales were onto the scoreboard via a penalty try, as Beirne was penalised for changing his bind as a Welsh maul was progressing towards the try-line.

Wales hit back through a penalty try decision early in the second half

Beirne was sin-binned for his role in the penalty try decision, but Wales would crucially fail to score while he was off

Much of Wales’ period against 14 players was taken up by Ireland dominating the ball in an exhaustive passage of play, however, with Beirne re-emerging after no further score.

Another Wales five-metre lineout was somehow turned over by Beirne near the Ireland try-line, before 19 phases of attack by the visitors in the 22 was ended by a vital Ronan Kelleher breakdown win.

Ireland’s defence proved superb when under pressure in the second half

Ireland seemed to then display their ruthless side, as centre Bundee Aki muscled his way over under the posts, but a TMO review saw the score chalked off for an earlier Robbie Henshaw knock-on.

With 13 minutes to play, Ireland did get the third try their pressure warranted as more close-range pressure eventually saw Jamison Gibson-Park feed a laser of a pass for Frawley to score on the occasion of his first Test start.

Full-back Ciaran Frawley crossed for Ireland’s third try on his first Test start

Crowley converted for 24-7, and after lock James Ryan was sin-binned for repeat Ireland penalties and Wales No 8 Aaron Wainwright was held up over the try-line, the 14-player home side created one final chance for the bonus-point clinching fourth try, sealing it through Beirne after Crowley had made a half-break.

Tadhg Beirne wrapped up Ireland’s bonus-point with a try in the very final play, past the 80th minute

Farrell: We are delighted with the bonus-point | Gatland: Another brilliant experience for us

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell told ITV Sport…

“There is a famous saying that each game takes it’s own course and that game had a bit of everything really from the sublime to the ridiculous.

“I thought we were a bit passive in the first half but I thought Wales were tenacious in defence. I thought we should have capitalised more.

“We had a good chat at half-time. The penalty count was evened up, we will have a good luck at that.

“Delighted to get that bonus point.”

Wales head coach Warren Gatland told ITV Sport…

“I can’t question how hard and the effort from the players. They probably out muscled us a bit in terms of collisions. That is a lesson for us.

“I feel like the score-line blew out a bit and probably wasn’t reflective of the effort we put in.

“You are playing against one of the best teams in the world and they thoroughly deserved to win with the quality they have got. We are on a journey.”

Try-scorer Ciaran Frawley after his first Test start said…

“Look, it was a bit of clunky in the first half.

“We were aware of that at half time. It was probably not the start we wanted, they came out and scored and we got the yellow card but to bounce back through all the adversity thrown at us and get the bonus point win was pretty special.

“I was delighted to get over. The players here are unbelievable, they know how to win.”

What’s next?

Ireland are next in action Saturday, March 9 for the fourth round of the championship, travelling to face England at Twickenham (4.45pm kick-off GMT).

Wales next host France at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday, March 10 in Round 4 (3pm kick-off GMT).

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