Ireland keep Women’s Six Nations title hopes alive as they whitewash Wales

Wales 0 Ireland 20

Ireland put themselves firmly into Women's Six Nations title contention as they ground out an ultimately comfortable win to end Wales' Triple Crown aspirations in Swansea.

Prop Ailís Egan and wing Alison Miller got the tries, with fullback Niamh Briggs slotting two conversions and two penalties with the boot.

The home side were kept scoreless thanks to a superb defensive effort from the visitors and they now move level on points with leaders France, whose Grand Slam dreams were surprisingly ended against Italy.

It means the title will be decided on the final weekend, with Ireland going for a Triple Crown against Scotland and looking to rack up a score against the weakest team in the competition with points difference potentially decisive.

France (+ 63) currently have a superior points difference to Ireland (+43) but have to travel to face the reigning world champions England at Twickenham next Saturday. Ireland will have the advantage of playing their final game a day after in Cumbernauld on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Wales, chasing a first Triple Crown in six years, started positively with backrows Sioned Harries and Shona Powell Hughes carrying powerfully and making dents in the Irish defence.

But, having seen off the initial storm, Ireland slowly grew in confidence and launched a sustained offensive on the Welsh 22 after 10 minutes.

Briggs worked some space for Hannah Tyrrell to advance up the right flank, while a serious of punishing driving mauls near the Welsh line sapped the energy of the hosts' defence.

But, in echoes of the men’s international in Cardiff on Saturday, Wales held firm against wave after wave of Irish attack.

Time and again the likes of Sophie Spence and Paula Fitzpatrick threatened to break down the Welsh wall, but the scrambling hosts held out.

Wales responded with a sharp spell of their own, with rampaging number eight Hughes and agile openside Harries once again to the fore, and centre Adi Taviner showing nice footwork in midfield.

However, they were soon on the back foot again as Tom Tierney’s side showed the greater composure in possession.

Wales conceded vital field position when fullback Dyddgu Hywel was charged down twice in quick succession, and this time there was no reprieve for the team in red.

The Irish pack mauled their way to the line, and prop Egan barrelled her way over the line for the try, which was converted by Briggs.

Wales needed to find a way back into the game and they enjoyed their best period of the game in the lead up to the interval.

A clever kick through from outhalf Elinor Snowsill put Briggs under pressure in the shadow of her own posts and Wales poured forward.

Ireland were camped in desperate defence on their own line, but they just about held firm, with Claire Molloy winning a crucial turnover to allow the visitors to escape to the sanctuary of the dressing room.

It proved a key moment in the contest and Ireland kicked off the second period with a renewed vigour, going through the phases and eventually forcing an infringement from Wales, which Briggs punished by knocking over the resulting penalty.

Wales needed to chase the game, but it played into Irish hands as the visitors suffocating defence pinned the home side in their own half and forced error after error.

Welsh overeagerness allowed Briggs to further extend Ireland’s lead as players flew off their feet in an effort to secure ruck ball.

There was still work to do as Wales finished firmly on the front foot, but once again Ireland proved up to the task as home skipper Rachel Taylor was hauled down after a surging break.

Still the attacks came, with scrumhalf Amy Day and wing Elen Evans threatening the line. But Miller ended the contest by collecting a loose ball to outpace two defenders and race in from halfway.

WALES: D Hywel; L Harries, A Taviner, G Rowland, E Evans; E Snowsill, A Day; J Davies, C Phillips, C Edwards; J Hawkins, R Taylor; S Williams, S Harries, S Powell Hughes.

Replacements: K Lake for Hywel, C Thomas for Davies (both 50 mins); A Evans for C Edward (58 mins); A Lawrence for C Phillips , R Rowe for J Hawkins (both 75 mins), H Jones for E Snowsill, K Bevan for A Day, M Clay for S Williams (all 78 mins).

IRELAND: N Briggs; H Tyrrell , J Murphy, J Shiels, A Miller; N Stapleton, L Muldoon; R O'Reilly , G Bourke, A Egan; S Spence, ML Reilly; P Fitzpatrick, C Molloy, H O'Brien.

Replacements: S Naoupu for J Shiels (18-28 mins) and for Stapleton (66 mins); O Fitzsimons for H O'Brien (36 mins); T Rosser for L Muldoon, F Hayes for R O'Reilly (both 53 mins); A Doyle for H Tyrrell) , S Mimnagh for G Bourke, F O'Brien for A Egan, K Norris for S Spence (all 78 mins),

Referee: C Hodnett (RFU)