Summary

  • Use play icon at top of the page to watch live coverage of the opening game

  • Opening game of the 2023 Women's Six Nations

  • Wales ruin four tries to clinch bonus-point after 33 minutes

  • Callender starts route inside three minutes before Bevan, Harries and Jones all follow

  • But Wales lose Gwen Crabb to serious knee injury

  • Ireland hooker Nic a Bhaird shown yellow card but Nichola Fryday gets consolation try

  • Ireland seeking revenge for 27-19 loss in Dublin last year

  • Teenager Sadhbh McGrath makes her Ireland debut

  • Watch every game in the Women's Six Nations live across the BBC

  1. Thank you for joining us!published at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Thank you for joining us for this afternoon's Women's Six Nations opener as Wales secure a bonus-point win over Ireland.

    The win was thoroughly deserved, as Wales dominating proceedings for the first hour or the contest.

    To their credit Ireland stuck at it, but there will be plenty to work on for Greg McWilliams before next week.

    There is more Women's Six Nations action to come today, follow along with us as England host Scotland at Kingston Park here.

    Thank you once again, and enjoy the rest of your evening.

    Alex CallenderImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  2. 'Extra smiley' Donavanpublished at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Alecs Donovan
    Former Wales centre on BBC Radio Wales

    I'm extra smiley now.

    It's brilliant, it's the best they could've hoped for.

    There are things to work on which is not a bad thing, it's always a good thing to have things to improve on but it was the start they would've dreamed of.

  3. 'We're chuffed with the game plan, we stuck at it'published at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Ioan CunninghamImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham told BBC One Wales: "I'm delighted for the players, they put in so much hard-work and I'm just absolutely delighted they we've started with a win and a bonus point.

    "I think up-front we put a great platform and we managed to go after that as well and I was pleased with that.

    "Obviously, I'm delighted with the crowd as well, it gives us a boost here. We're chuffed with the game plan, we stuck at it.

    "It's going to be a tough challenge away in Scotland but we've started with a win so we'll enjoy that, reflect on it and move forward.

    "I genuinely think Sisilia Tuipulotu can be one of the best props in the world, she showed today what she can do.

    "I though Gwenllian Pyrs was outstanding as well as Kelsey Jones."

  4. 'Professionalism makes difference'published at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Caryl James
    Former Wales wing on BBC Radio Cymru

    Now they are full-time players they'll have time to assess the game and the performances from each player which is a huge advantage.

  5. Captain Jones thanks record crowdpublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Wales captain Hannah Jones told BBC Sport Wales: "We've come a long way since the 45-0 defeat two years ago, I'd like to thank the record crowd today, it's been a brilliant atmosphere so thank you so much."

  6. 'I'm enjoying being prop'published at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu told BBC Sport Wales: "I'm just grateful for the team that I have, my family and friends supporting me on and off the field.

    "It's always a tough process to move from position to position [lock to prop] but with the coaches I have, I'm enjoying it more as I get to play."

  7. Postpublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    I'm not sure I've ever seen a happier player when winning their first cap.

    There are lovely scenes on the pitch as Wales players, staff, family, friends and now the crowd enjoy the moment with Kate Williams.

  8. Popular debut for Williamspublished at 16:17 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Gareth Bailey
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff Arms Park

    Kate Williams has been mobbed by all her teammates.

    Clearly she is a very popular debutant as she shares a smile and a handshake from head coach Ioan Cunningham before he runs off for his media duties.

    The Roayl New Zealand Navy officer has done well in her first 25 minutes in a red shirt.

    Her Dad is also on the field who is in floods of tears, a lovely moment for all involved.

  9. Ireland take heart from recoverypublished at 16:15 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Andy Gray
    BBC Sport NI

    The first half was compete domination from Wales but Ireland can take great heart from the final 25 minutes.

    They lacked that clinical touch at times but the building blocks are there as this team look to push forward in matches to come.

  10. Second half in picturespublished at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    TuipulotuImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Sisilia Tuipulotu crashes over for Wales' fifth

    Georgia EvansImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Georgia Evans on the charge

    Kerin LakeImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Kerin Lake darts through

    TuipulotuImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
    Image caption,

    Sisilia Tuipulotu was named player of the match

  11. Postpublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Philippa Tuttiett
    Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 Live

    These women have done Wales proud today!

  12. Postpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    FT: Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Gareth Bailey
    BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff Arms Park

    A much more encouraging end to this game for Ireland with the team in green very much the one in the ascendancy.

    Wales will possibly be frustrated that they haven't managed to have the same level of control in the second half as they did in the first with a couple of overthrown line-outs.

    But there are huge cheers in the stands from a very happy home crowd as the referee blows the full-time whistle.

  13. Full-time - Wales 31-5 Irelandpublished at 16:10 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2023

    The perfect start for Wales who secure a home bonus-point win over Ireland.

    Ioan Cunningham's side had the bonus point wrapped up after just over half an hour at the Cardiff Arms Park.

    Alex Callender, Keira Bevan, Sioned Harries and Hannah Jones moved Wales into a 26-0 lead at half-time.

    The second half was a much more even contest, but Wales did extend their lead initially through Sisilia Tuipulotu.

    Ireland never dropped their heads to their credit, and did find a score of their own when Nichola Fryday crossed.

    But today belongs to Wales, who secure back-to-back Women's Six Nations wins against Ireland.

  14. Final minutepublished at 80 mins

    Wales 31-5 Ireland

    We are into the last 60 seconds of the match, Wales have a line-out just inside their own half which they gather before referee Amber McLachlan gets in the way of play.

    It will be a scrum to Wales, probably the final act of this thoroughly entertaining Women's Six Nations opener.

  15. Tuipulotu 'dominant'published at 78 mins

    Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Philippa Tuttiett
    Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Sisilia Tuipulotu has had the most domiant performance today.

  16. Player of the Matchpublished at 78 mins

    Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu is named the player of the match, much to the delight of the crowd in Cardiff.

    Thoroughly deserved.

  17. Two minutes to go in Cardiffpublished at 77 mins

    Wales 31-5 Ireland

    The result may be a foregone conclusion but Ireland are still battling on here.

    Aoife Dalton makes a nice run down the right wing but is dragged into touch by two Welsh tacklers.

    The line-out is poor again from Ireland and Wales regain possession.

    Just over two minutes left in Cardiff.

  18. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Wales 31-5 Ireland

    The Irish scrum deserves a lot of credit.

    After being completely dominated in the first 30 minutes they have responded brilliant and they win another penalty here on half way.

    The penalty gets them up to the Welsh 22 but sadly for the visitors it is stolen away by a Welsh hand and cleared.

  19. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Ireland keep the ball and work it wide to the right where Vicky Irwin is almost bundled into touch.

    Enya Breen took a big hit during that phase and is limping as a result.

    Ireland eventually work the ball back to the left where it is knocked forward.

  20. 'Confidence and enthusiasm'published at 74 mins

    Wales 31-5 Ireland

    Elen Evans
    Former Wales international on BBC Radio Cymru

    It's nice to see that the girls want to carry on running after 70 minutes. It's nice to see the confidence and the enthusiasm to win.