Ireland clinch Triple Crown against resurgent Wales

Guinness Six Nations 2025

Wales (13) 18

Tries: Morgan, Rogers Cons: Anscombe Pens: Anscombe 2

Ireland (10) 27

Tries: Conan, Osborne Cons: Prendergast Pens: Prendergast 5

Ireland clinched their 14th Triple Crown and remain on course for a record third successive Six Nations title after beating a resurgent Wales in a thrilling game in Cardiff.

Ireland centre Garry Ringrose was shown a 20-minute red card in the 34th minute for a high tackle on Wales' Ben Thomas.

The visitors shrugged this off and recovered from an 18-10 deficit, scoring tries through Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne, with fly-half Sam Prendergast kicking 17 points.

Wales produced an outstanding performance under new interim coach Matt Sherratt with tries from inspirational captain Jac Morgan and Tom Rogers and eight points from recalled Gareth Anscombe.

Ireland will hope to complete a Grand Slam as they host France before finishing the tournament in Italy against Rome, while Wales will hope to avoid a Wooden Spoon when they face Scotland and England in their final two games.

Wales' losing international sequence has reached 15 games and this was a record ninth successive tournament loss.

But this occasion will be remembered as an inspirational performance to help restore some much-needed faith in Welsh rugby.

The team were unrecognisable from the side that lost against France and Italy, which led to the departure of head coach Warren Gatland.

Sherratt has taken over and transformed the side despite having only four sessions and less than a week to prepare against the tournament's defending champions.

He made multiple changes, recalling individuals Gatland had discarded such as Anscombe and Max Llewellyn and picked others players in their regular positions, including Thomas at 12 instead of fly-half.

It resulted in a much more cohesive attacking performance despite Wales being written off as 25-1 no-hopers by some bookmakers, with most observers expecting a comfortable Irish victory.

Wales' impassioned performance proved what they can achieve with some structure and belief, while Ireland once again displayed their impressive resolve to remain on course for the Grand Slam.

Caretaker coaches make multiple changes

Both sides were in the strange scenario of having caretaker coaches.

Gatland stepped down last week after defeat by Italy condemned Wales to a 14th successive loss and a 20th defeat in 26 matches in his second stint in charge. This followed his first 12-year stint in which he led the side to three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals.

Sherratt was placed in charge on an interim basis, but insisted he will only be in charge for the Six Nations, having signed a long-term deal with Cardiff.

Easterby, who is overseeing Ireland while Andy Farrell prepares for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, had masterminded victories over England and Scotland.

The former Ireland flanker, who lives in Wales and played for Scarlets, responded to reports he is a contender to take over from Gatland by insisting he is committed to Ireland and stated he had yet to be approached by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Sherratt made eight personnel changes including Gloucester duo Llewellyn and Anscombe, and a debut for Nottingham-born Scarlets wing Ellis Mee, who impressed in only his 11th professional game.

Captain Morgan moved from open-side flanker to blind-side to accommodate Tommy Reffell.

Ireland made seven changes with hooker Dan Sheehan captaining, Conan slotting in for the injured Caelan Doris and full-back Osborne making his Six Nations debut.

There was a maiden Test start for prop Thomas Clarkson, while lock Joe McCarthy, centre Ringrose and wing Mack Hansen were recalled.

Ireland make fast start

The Principality Stadium roof was closed and Ireland were playing predominantly in white to help supporters impacted by colour blindness, with the traditional green shirts having in the past clashed with Wales' red.

The new-look Wales front-row of Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and WillGriff John won three early scrum penalties, while Taulupe Faletau started brightly.

A clever Ringrose 50-22 kick provided an early attacking platform for Conan to power over, with Prendergast converting before slotting over a penalty.

Anscombe kicked the hosts' first points before Wales spurned a try opportunity when Tomos Williams dropped a pass from Morgan, which in any case might have been forward.

The home side were looking more cohesive in attack than the opening two games with centre Llewellyn prominent.

Ireland also blew an attacking chance when a long pass from Osborne to Ringrose went astray with the line at his mercy.

Resurgent Wales continued to pressurise Ireland with Ringrose initially shown a yellow card for his high tackle on Thomas, with the decision sent to the bunker.

Anscombe reduced the deficit to four points with his second penalty and Wales piled on the pressure before eventually Morgan burrowed over to give the hosts a 13-10 half-time lead.

Wales take lead, but Ireland battle back

During the interval Ringrose's 20-minute red card was confirmed and Wales soon utilised their extra man with a free-flowing move started by a huge Will Rowlands carry.

That laid the foundations for full-back Blair Murray to set up Scarlets team-mate Rogers, who produced a spectacular finish in the corner.

Prendergast reduced the deficit to five points with his second penalty before centre Bundee Aki came on to the field to level up the numbers after the 20-minute red card.

Ireland levelled the score with a second try that came from a superb 50-22 kick, this time from Prendergast.

An ensuing cross-kick from player-of-the-match Jamison Gibson-Park was palmed by James Lowe into the hands of the onrushing Osborne to score.

Hansen was held up over the Wales line by Murray, but Prendergast slotted over a penalty to restore the Irish lead before an excellent long-range effort set up a six-point advantage.

Wales refused to give up and Mee looked like he had scored a brilliant try in the corner, but it was justly ruled out by television match official (TMO) Ian Tempest for a knock on.

Ireland rallied and Prendergast's fifth penalty clinched a victory that leaves his side on course to make history in the championship.

Line-ups

Wales: Murray; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Mee; Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Smith, Dee, John, Rowlands, Jenkins, Morgan (capt), Reffell, Faletau.

Replacements: E Lloyd, G Thomas, H Thomas, Teddy Williams, Wainwright, R Williams, J Evans, Roberts.

Ireland: Osborne; Hansen, Ringrose, Henshaw, Lowe; S Prendergast, Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan (capt), Clarkson, J McCarthy, Beirne, O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: G McCarthy, Boyle, Bealham, Ryan, Baird, Murray, Crowley, Aki.

Red-card: Ringrose 34

Referee: Christophe Ridley (Eng)

Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)

Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (Eng)

Foul Play Review Officer: Matteo Liperini (Ita)