Six Nations: Ireland hammer sorry Wales 29-7 in one-sided opener

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Andrew Conway stretches over for Ireland's second try

Ireland (10) 29
Tries: Aki, Conway 2, Ringrose Cons: Sexton 3 Pen: Sexton
Wales (0) 7
Try: Basham Con: Sheedy

Ireland picked up where they left off in 2021 as they blew away a toothless Wales in a one-sided Six Nations opener.

The dominant hosts scored only one try in the first half, through Bundee Aki.

Andrew Conway's quickfire double and a magnificent Garry Ringrose effort after the break saw Ireland accelerate away from the injury-ravaged visitors.

Only Taine Basham's late try saved Wales the ignominy of a scoreless defeat.

Wayne Pivac's side remain without a victory in Dublin since 2015 and have rarely looked less likely to win in the Irish capital as they were stifled throughout by an impressive Irish defence.

Given the extent of their injury list it was always going to be a tough opening assignment for the defending champions, yet the manner of their performance will provide great cause for concern as they begin preparations for Scotland in Cardiff next week.

Debutant Hansen impresses as Ireland take charge

Wales arrived in Dublin missing multiple seasoned campaigners who combine for over 700 Test caps, with Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and George North among a lengthy injury list.

Their cause was not helped in the warm-up when Louis Rees-Zammit went down and required heavy strapping on what appeared to be an ankle injury.

The wing remained in the side but Ireland, perhaps spotting his injury, attacked his flank from the very start as debutant Mack Hansen fended the Gloucester man before surging from his own half into the 22 on his first involvement in an Ireland shirt.

He advanced an excellent first impression in the next passage of play - swinging the ball wide for Aki to stroll in for the opening try of this year's tournament.

Ireland's backs were working off a dream platform provided by their forwards who knocked Wales' defence back with every carry and provided quick ball for Jamison Gibson-Park.

By contrast Wales struggled to get anything going and would have been facing a bigger deficit reflective of Ireland's early dominance had Johnny Sexton not sliced two straightforward penalties wide.

The first 20 minutes were - with the exception of Sexton's kicking - defined by Irish accuracy, which somewhat deserted the hosts for the second half of the opening 40 as scrappy errors gifted Wales the opportunity to attack.

Despite some smart Dan Biggar kicking Ireland held firm with Tadhg Beirne and Jack Conan winning turnovers just inside their 22 as Wales huffed and puffed without putting any pressure on the try line against an Irish defence that did not concede a single penalty in the opening half.

More to follow.

Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Hansen; Sexton (c), Gibson-Park; Porter, Kelleher, Furlong; Beirne, Ryan; Doris, van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: Sheehan, Healy, Bealham, Baird, O'Mahony, Murray, Carbery, Hume.

Wales: L Williams; McNicholl, Adams, Tompkins, Rees-Zammit; Biggar, T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, E Jenkins, Basham, Wainwright.

Replacements: Lake, G Thomas, D Lewis, Carter, Moriarty, G Davies, Sheedy, Watkin.