Wales vs Ireland LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as visitors survive scare
Wales 18-27 Ireland: The visitors survived a huge scare in Cardiff against their much-improved hosts
Ireland survived a mighty scare against Wales to keep their hopes of a Six Nations grand slam alive with a 27-18 win.
Few gave Wales a hope with the tournament favourites coming to Cardiff looking to extend the hosts’ losing run to 15 games, yet the two sides delivered an unexpected thriller. Wales surged into a second-half lead after the sending off of Ireland centre Garry Ringrose as they threatened an upset in Matt Sherratt’s first game in interim charge.
But Ireland showed their champion qualities with Jamie Osborne crossing for a crucial score and Sam Prendergast extending their advantage from the tee. Wales were denied a late try that could have forced a late twist when debutant Ellis Mee was deemed to have not grounded cleanly in the corner. It was a much improved outing from the beleaguered home side after the mid-tournament exit of Warren Gatland, but their hunt for a first win since the 2023 World Cup goes on. Ireland, meanwhile, still have hope of an historic third successive competition crown.
Re-live all of the action from Cardiff in our live blog below:
Wales finally show spark in new era but Ireland stay on track for Six Nations grand slam
Title favourites Ireland survived a major Six Nations scare as they clinched the triple crown by beating a transformed Wales 27-18 in Cardiff.
While Wales ultimately fell to a 15th successive Test match defeat, Ireland marched on in pursuit of the grand slam and a historic Six Nations title hat-trick.
But Wales were a revelation in their first game since Warren Gatland departed as head coach, with interim boss Matt Sherratt masterminding comfortably their best performance since the 2023 World Cup.
Read the full report from Cardiff:
Wales show spark in new era but Ireland stay on track for Six Nations grand slam
Max Llewellyn reflects on improved Welsh performance
Wales centre Max Llewellyn said: "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."
Jamison Gibson-Park reacts to hard-fought win
Ireland scrum half and player of the match Jamison Gibson-Park said: "We have to give a lot of credit to Wales, it was very tough out there today.
"They're an unbelievable team, a proud nation and they sure showed that today.
"It'd be a dangerous thing to come over here with any pre-conceived ideas, playing here against Wales was always going to be tough and sure they proved that to us today.
"It's mentally tough more than anything. We're lucky to have a some pretty good coaches so we were well prepared for those things."
Ireland beat Wales to stay on track for Six Nations grand slam
A hard-fought but ultimately well-deserved win for Ireland in Cardiff. But the Welsh shoots of recovery are finally clear to see.
Credit to interim coach Matt Sherratt, who seemed to change the Welsh attitude within five days of working with the team
FULL-TIME! Wales 18-27 Ireland
Ireland win a penalty to end the final Welsh threat and Prendergast has one last kick at goal from range. It falls wide and short, Wales try to run it back but eventually that’s it - all over.
What a performance by Wales - their best for a long time but ultimately they’ve fallen just short against Ireland in Cardiff.
The Irish battled to victory and their grand slam hopes are still on track. Two more victories and they’ll become the first team in championship history to win three straight titles outright.
PENALTY! Wales 18-27 Ireland (Sam Prendergast, 78 mins)
Sam Prendergast uses all the time he can and then slots the penalty to move his record from the tee today to six from eight.
That will probably be that now.
Wales 18-24 Ireland, 77 mins
The Irish defensive line is holding firm, forcing Wales back into their own territory. They’re still trying to run it from deep but the white wall is rock solid.
And eventually, inevitably they win the penalty. Prendergast will surely kick this and put the game beyond a single score.
Wales 18-24 Ireland, 76 mins
This has been a brilliant Six Nations game. So physical and intense. Wales haven’t played this well in a long time.
Have we got one more twist in the dying stages?
Wales 18-24 Ireland, 75 mins
Ireland win a penalty at the subsequent scrum. That’s huge, given the pressure they were under.
They clear their lines and can build from near halfway. Good Welsh line speed forces them back into the 22 where Gibson-Park box kicks into touch on halfway. Good clearance. Welsh ball though
NO TRY! Wales 18-24 Ireland, 73 mins
Is Mee’s left hand in touch as he touches down with his right hand and does he have control. This is unbelievably tight. Brilliant attempt by Mee either way...
A long time taken in review, understandably. NO TRY! He just lost control while trying to touch down. Knock-on. The crowd don’t like it but the right call.
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