Wales too strong for Ireland in thumping win in front of record home crowd

Wales opened their 2023 TikTok Women's Six Nations campaign with a comfortable 31-5 victory over Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park. The pack put the hosts on the front foot early on and they refused to let up from there, running in five tries in the Championship curtain-raiser. Ad Alex Callender started the party after just three minutes and scores followed from Keira Bevan, replacement Sioned Harries and captain Hannah Jones to leave Wales 26-0 up at the break.

Women's Six Nations ChampionshipHat-trick hero Packer vows to continue Hunter's legacy for England after Scotland win16 MINUTES AGO Sisilia Tuipulotu added a fifth try shortly after half time and, though Nichola Fryday crossed for the visitors, the day firmly belonged to Wales, who eclipsed their highest ever attendance for a fixture in the Women's Championship. Wales came flying out the traps with Callender bundling her way over inside three minutes. It looked as though the chance had gone after a knock on by Lisa Neumann but Wales approached Ireland's scrum as if it were their own, forcing a penalty after a seismic shove.

Their first lineout was just as effective, with a simple catch and drive culminating in flanker Callender's maiden score in the Championship. Wales' second, which arrived on 12 minutes, was a little more opportunistic. Scrum-half Bevan pounced on a loose ball just shy of the Irish line to dive over a pile of strewn bodies under the posts to cap a dream start for the hosts.

Ioan Cunningham's side were firmly on top by this stage, and even managed to force an Irish maul back some 10 metres. A couple of needless penalties offered Ireland some respite, but the reprieve was only brief. One of Wales' most experienced campaigners, back row Harries may