Impressive Ireland cruise to Six Nations win over holders Wales

Dublin — Ireland laid down a marker for the Six Nations title easing to a convincing 29-7 victory over champions Wales at Lansdowne Road on Saturday for their ninth successive Test win.

Two tries early in the second-half for winger Andrew Conway gave the hosts the breathing space they needed having led 10-0 at half-time and they come away too with a bouns point win.

The victory sets them up nicely for a tricky trip to France next Saturday whilst Wales deprived of several stalwarts will have to pick themselves up for their next game against Scotland.

"This is a big win against the reigning champions and to come away with five points is huge," said Ireland captain Johnny Sexton.

"We knew it was not going to be pretty in the windy conditions but we used the breeze behind us in the second-half to our advantage.

"You are never going to be perfect in the first game but the big thing is to get off with a win as last year we lost our first game (against Wales) and the Grand Slam and Triple Crown were gone."

The game — held in front of a capacity crowd in Dublin for the first time in a Six Nations match for almost two years due to Covid-19 restrictions — had been preceded by a minute's silence in memory of former Test captain and 1982 Five Nations winning coach Tom Kiernan, who died aged 83 on Thursday.

Player of the match Mack Hansen made an instant impact on his debut setting up Ireland with great position inside the Wales 22 after an electric burst of pace and chip ahead by the Australia-born winger.

The 23-year-old then provided the pass which let Bundee Aki touch down in the corner inside three minutes for his seventh try in 34 Tests.

Sexton converted for 7-0 and then added a penalty after missing two to give the hosts a