Ireland, the Universities' Triple Crown champions for the last two seasons, were dethroned and well beaten by Wales in Cardiff yesterday.
Ireland, who had lost 38-29 to France in Galway two weeks ago, started with nine of the UCC side who beat Grenoble in the Students' European Championship final.
Wales, who beat Scotland 44-18 a fortnight ago, were 13-0 ahead at half-time. Ireland enjoyed their best spell immediately before and just after the interval, but their only rewards were a 51st-minute penalty by out-half Mark McHugh and a corner try by winger Darragh Holt in the 64th minute.
Wales, who fielded five players with first-class experience, were boosted by Llanelli out-half Craig Warlow who dropped three goals.
Scorers: Welsh Universities: T Bowen, S Jones try each, C Warlow 2 conversions, penalty and 3 drop goals; Irish Universities: D Holt try, M McHugh penalty.
WALES: D Williams; J Young, O Jones, G Bowen, A Wagstaff; C Warlow, E Lewsey; M Hennesssy (capt), A Winterbottom, J Meredith, T Bowen, P Langley, J Bater, G Thomas, R Parks. Replacements: N Parry for Young (60), P Jones for Wagstaff (62), A Thomas for Lewsey (66), S Jones for Winterbottom (49), M Bolton for Meridith (halftime), G Roberts for Bowen 60).
IRELAND: C Healey (UCC); S Doggett (UCD), P Barry (UCC), A O'Shea (UCC), D Holt (UCC); M McHugh (TCD), D Mescal (UCG); A McSweeney (UCC, capt), G Flannery (UCC), R McCormack (UCD), J Fitzgerald (UCC), J Smith (UCD), J Shine (UCD), D Lane (UCC), T Cahill (UCC). Replacements: P Archibald (QUB) for Healey (77), S Moore (UCD) for Barry (50), C Curneen (TCD) for Mescal (60), A Kearney (UCD) for Fitzgerald (51), N Corcoran (UCD) for Cahill (60).
Referee: A Rowlands (Treorchy, Wales).
