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Page 2 of 2 Women's International Rugby: Ireland 7 - 14 WalesFourteen points from Welsh fullback Non Evans , was enough to see Ireland crash to their second defeat of this tournament at Donnybrook on Saturday.
Despite the appalling state of the bare Donnybrook pitch, both sides did their best to play an open and fluid style of game, but Ireland’s failure to capitalize on the many opportunities they had, especially in the second half, and a very poor line-out performance, was eventually their undoing. Ireland did get the better start when a super attack involving almost every back in a green jersey, swung from left to right and Ireland should undoubtedly have taken something from that effort as they had Wales stretched, but a blind pass from Patrique Kelly killed the momentum as Wales regrouped to quell the move. Ireland’s defence was initially controlled in the middle as they shut down space for the Welsh attackers, with star fullback Non Evans and experienced centres Rhian Williams and Clare Flowers allowed little room for maneuver, but outhalf Naomi Thomas eventually did manage to put in some strong runs and put Ireland’s defenders under pressure. Evans did get Wales on the scoreboard after twenty minutes as she expertly struck a penalty to put her side ahead. That spurred her side on as they put Ireland under huge pressure with some sustained continuity play and Evans made Ireland’s ill discipline in front of their own sticks pay as she once again slotted a penalty half an hour in. Ireland had some set piece difficulties to contend with as their line out completely misfired throughout the game and not being assured of possession in that area really cost the home team as Wales were beginning to punish Ireland’s mistakes. A try before the break really put the game into Welsh hands as Evans was on the end of an excellent break from out-half Naomi Thomas , who cut Ireland’s defence to ribbons. Ireland came storming back though and, following some strong play from Joy Neville , found themselves throwing in five metres out, but their line out problems reared again as Jean Lonergan’s wayward throw heralded the half time whistle. Facing into an 11-0 deficit after the break, Ireland had to cope with mounting problems at the breakdown as French referee Jean-Marie Piraveau penalised them for almost every offence in the book. Wales too though were on the receiving end of that whistle as they lost Louise Horgan to the bin for not rolling away. There were 43 penalties awarded in the game, a huge count for an International match, with Ireland conceding 20 and Wales 23. Irelanddid seize their opportunity with Horgan off, as they finally secured a solid jump through Joy Neville and an excellent and controlled maul saw Geri Healy crash over and when Sarahjane Belton converted from a really difficult angle, suddenly it was game on. Ireland were playing a little better now and a score looked certain when Kelly made massive yards right into the Welsh 22 and though Ireland dropped possession they kept the pressure on Wales with Neville coming very close to scoring and Joanne O Sullivan also making strong yards. Ultimately however, their failure to score when they had all that possession was their undoing as Wales eventually managed to clear their lines as time ran out for the home team. Evans booted her side further ahead at the other end just before the end to finish the hosts off. A late break from Tania Rosser was also snuffed out as the clock just worked against the home team. A huge disappointment Ireland then and they will know they have a number of areas to sort out before their next game. The game was lost for a few reasons but key was Ireland’s dreadfully ineffective line-out and the repercussions it had on their attempts to attack. It’s hard to underestimate how much of a negative effect Ireland’s line-out had because they persisted in kicking down the line for almost every penalty, and almost every time, they lost possession. It was heartbreaking because it was such a desperate waste of their hard work in making those yards. On the plus side, Ireland will know they are better than this performance and it is certain that they were good enough to beat Wales. Also good news was another solid performance from Joanne O’Sullivan at fullback. The former number ten is still new in that position at this level, but her fielding was fantastic in this game and she can only get better. Others to stand out were Orla Brennan and Rachel Boyd. Ireland’s scrum too, for the most part held up very well and against an physical Scottish side, that is something a huge positive going into their next game. Scorers Ireland: G Healy (1 try), SJ Belton (1 con) Ireland: J O Sullivan, N Ni Chaidhan, L Cantwell, P Kelly, S Fleming, SJ Belton (c) (T Rosser, F Coughlan (vc), J Lonergan, M Barrett, C Mahon, G Healy, O Brennan, R Boyd J Neville: Replacments: G McAllister, R Foley (for C Mahon 72), Y Nolan, S Ryan, L Beamish, G Davitt (for N Ni Chaidhain 72) , , A Greensmith, Scorers Wales: N Evans (2 pens, 1 try, 1 convertion) Wales: Non Evans, Louise Rickard, Rhian Williams, Clare Flowers, Rachel Poolman, Naomi Thomas, Mel Berry, Amy Broadstock, Rhian Bowden, Louise Horgan, Liza Burgess, Rachel Brown, Catrina Nicholas, Kylie Wilson: Replacements: Claire Horgan (for A Broadstack 45), Jenny Davies, (for Rhian Bowden 45) Sarah Simpkon, Claire Donovan (for R Brown 70) , Amy Day, Elen Evans, Philippa Tuttiett
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