Superb Ireland hammer Wales to claim first Women's Six Nations win in two years

Worth waiting for.

Ireland claimed a first Guinness Women's Six Nations victory in two years as they hammered Wales 36-5 in Cork.

The five-try win ended a seven-game losing streak in the championship, which stretched back to the 2022 success over Scotland.

Scott Bemand's side were far superior in every aspect and the victory will provide a much-needed boost ahead of next weekend's trip to Twickenham to take on perennial champions England.

Wales had finished third in the previous two seasons but now sit bottom after three rounds, still looking for a first win.

After a respectable loss in France, and a frustrating defeat to Italy in round two, Ireland came good in front of a crowd of 6.139 at a sunny Musgrave Park.

The hosts crossed three times in the first half, player of the match Aoife Wafer, Eve Higgins and Neve Jones touching down, while Katie Corrigan and Béibhinn Parsons scored on apiece in the second half.

The excellent Dannah O'Brien added 11 points off the tee.

The opening 40 minutes was easily the best the side have played in over two years.

The team showed intent, purpose and, most importantly, cohesion. The passes that went to ground in the loss to Italy, this time, stuck.

They tackled hard, ran hard and rarely took the wrong option. Ireland were best at the breakdown and Wales simply couldn't handle the pace of the game.

The net result was a 21-0 advantage by the end of the opening period.

It was, however, Wales who threatened first, taking advantage of a mistake by O'Brien from the kick-off.

The visitors worked their way to within five metres of the Irish line but scrum-half Kiera Bevan went off her feet at the ruck.

After that, it was all Ireland.

Co-captain Edel McMahon, recalled after missing out two weeks ago, won a