Ireland lay down marker with bonus point win in Wales

If there were fears that the weight of expectation would prove too much for Ireland, this was a an impressive response.

Even without the disruption of losing Jamison Gibson-Park and Cian Healy the day of the game, or of being without the enormous presence of Tadhg Furlong, a first Six Nations win away to Wales since 2013, and one which was largely wrapped up by half time, ticks almost every box you could hope for.

Andy Farrell has often spoken of embracing the challenges that rugby can throw your way, but even he may have been wondering what he'd brought upon himself when two of his match-day 23 pulled up in yesterday’s captain’s run.

It left an apprehensive mood among Irish fans who made the trip to Cardiff. They needn’t have worried.

Ireland started 2023 like a train, and from the moment Caelan Doris powered his way over for the game’s first try inside two minutes, an opening win in the Guinness Six Nations barely seemed in doubt.

By half time they were 27-3 to the good, James Ryan with a rare try and a breakaway score for James Lowe, while Johnny Sexton also kept things ticking over with a couple of penalties.

To Wales' credit, they came firing in the second half, and while Farrell may be frustrated by how his side started to soak pressure in the third quarter, their defence in their own 22 was aggressive and on point, going after the breakdown to slow the Welsh attack down.

Liam Williams crossed for a try early in the second half to give the hosts a glimmer of hope, but despite numerous 22 entries they couldn't get back within two scores to make things interesting.

In the first half Ireland's attack was fast and crisp, with Conor Murray doing well in the absence of Gibson-Park to keep pace in the attack. And while they