Lewis does the damage

Ultimately the scoreline was a fair reflection of the match at Anglesea Road, although, given its erratic complexion, it could have fallen either way. Wales had a better second half and critically made a few key moves pay off, whereas Ireland laboured before the gaps finally opened.

The talented full back Emyr Lewis did most of the damage for the visiting students, ghosting in for two second-half tries and converting both during a period in which Wales had the whip hand.

Despite Brian O'Mahony's penalty goal in the first minute, Ireland chased for much of the match, taking a short-lived lead for the second time just after the break.

There was valuable lineout work from both Des Dillon and Trevor Hogan, but backline moves were too often cluttered against a strong Welsh defence. The packs were well matched with Ireland perhaps marginally the stronger but the running from Wales behind the scrum was decisive.

After O'Mahony's opening penalty, the Welsh replied with two tries from scrumhalf Owen Ruttley with Lewis converting the second. O'Mahony had missed two kicks which might have kept Ireland more in touch but in injury time he reduced the margin to 6-12.

Although Wales's opening second-half tempo immediately had Ireland going back, replacement Bobby Quigley snatched a breakaway try and O'Mahony added the points for 13-12. However, a beautifully executed chip and run from Lewis earned a touchdown, which he converted, before Tal Selly drifted nicely from the centre to extend the Welsh lead to 24-13. A try by Hogan, after Darragh Holt made a break from deep in the Irish half, hinted at a revival in the last 10 minutes but almost immediately Lewis came into the line again from full back to touch down on the left. His conversion on 80 minutes for 31-20 left Ireland with little further scope, centre Paddy Hickey-Dwyer's injury-time score proving too little too late.