Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Ireland v Wales - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland - March 6, 2026 Ireland's Jacob Stockdale scores their first try REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Ireland made to work for 27-17 win by improved Wales

06 Mar 2026, 22:10 · CNA · Join

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DUBLIN, March 6 : Ireland kept their slim Six Nations title hopes alive on Friday with a tight 27-17 bonus-point victory over Wales that the bottom-placed side made them work incredibly hard for with another much improved performance.

Ireland looked like they were picking up where they left off in the outstanding display against England last time out when Jacob Stockdale scored a try on six minutes but Wales defended superbly, were dangerous on the counter attack and deservedly cut Ireland's lead to 12-10 by halftime.

Flanker Jack Conan extended the gap early in the second half but Wales would not lie down and James Botham made it a two-point game just after the hour. A Jamie Osborne try eased the Aviva Stadium nerves within minutes before Jack Crowley provided some insurance with a late penalty.

The inconsistent Irish move one point behind France, but with an extra game played, their unlikely hopes rest on a final day win over Scotland and a major slip up by the unbeaten holders.

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"It was scrappy, lacked a little bit of the clinical edge that we showed a couple of weeks ago... So plenty to work on if we want to finish off strong with a good performance back here against Scotland.," Ireland captain ⁠Caelan Doris said.

Wales host Italy facing into a third straight winless wooden spoon after their tournament losing streak extended to 15 games but there were more green shoots to be found a fortnight after coming agonisingly close to ending the run against Scotland.

ENCOURAGING WELSH

Ireland were desperate to back up the record 42-21 rout in Twickenham after a stuttering start to the championship and they got the perfect start when offloader-in-chief Stuart McCloskey put wing Stockdale through for his 20th international try and first since 2021.

Wales' defence were a match for the hosts' patient phased attack and when that forced Ireland tried to play a bit too loose, Steve Tandy's men used the opening to get right back in the game by showing some encouraging variety in attack.

A Dan Edwards penalty cut the deficit and they were unlucky that their ambition in turning down more two more easy attempts at goal wasn't rewarded with a try when Rhys Carre's intimidating frame was held up on the line.

They kept making Ireland work at the other end and after a number of Irish forwards went close to adding a second try, Crowley eventually darted over two minutes before the break.

It looked like Ireland would be heading down the tunnel with a relatively comfortable lead but Wales struck straight back with Carre breaking through the Irish line and into the kind of broad smile only a prop can crack when he sprints in for a try.

Just as he did against Italy earlier in the tournament when Ireland were also under pressure at halftime, Conan barged over for a try three minutes into the second period, making up for an effort that was chalked off in the first half.

Wales responded yet again but this time it took 20 solid minutes of possession and composure for Botham to put them within striking distance for the second game in succession of ending their wretched losing streak.

But by that time Wales had already made twice as many tackles and with Ireland able to call the experience of ⁠Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier off the bench, it did not take long for Osborne to add a little breathing space.

With the excellent Wales scrumhalf Tomos Williams sent to the sin bin in the process, Crowley's penalty sniffed out any hope for the brave visitors.

"The development of this group over the last four weeks has been monumental. The changes in our game, the way we're adapting on pitch as well as off it. I think there's massive positives to take from today," Wales captain Dewi Lake said.

Ireland made to work for 27-17 win by improved Wales

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