Resurgent Wales succumb to Ireland Triple Crown triumph

Guinness Six Nations 2025

Wales (13) 18

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

Ireland (10) 27

After defeating Wales in a resurgent match in Cardiff, Ireland clinched their 14th Triple Crown and are now on track to win a record-clinching third successive Six Nations title.

In the 34th minute, Ireland’s centre Garry Ringrose was shown a 20-minute red card 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.

Under new interim coach Matt Sherratt, Wales recorded eight tries from recalled Gareth Anscombe and tries from inspirational captains Jac Morgan and Tom Rogers.

Wales has lost a record ninth tournament games in a row as its losing international series now includes 15 games.

However, this time will stand out as a motivational performance that will encourage some much-needed faith in Welsh rugby.

The lost to France and Italy, which led to the departure of head coach Warren Gatland, made the team unrecognizable.

Despite only four sessions and less than a week to prepare for the tournament’s defending champions, Sherratt has taken over and transformed the team.

He made a number of adjustments, including making references to former players like Anscombe and Max Llewellyn that Gatland had dropped out of their regular positions, including Thomas at 12 rather than fly-half.

Despite some bookmakers labeling Wales as 25-1 no-hopers, it produced a much more cohesive attacking performance, with most observers anticipating a comfortably Irish victory.

The odd scenario of caretaker coaches existed on both sides.

In his second year in charge, Gatland resigned last week after a defeat by Italy caused Wales to suffer a 14th successive defeat and a 20th defeat. His first 12-year coaching career saw the team win three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals.

Sherratt was given a temporary position in charge of the Six Nations, but he insisted that he would only be doing so under the terms of his long-term contract with Cardiff.

While Andy Farrell prepares for the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, Easterby had remarkable victories over England and Scotland.

The former Ireland flanker, who currently plays for Scarlets and lives in Wales, asserted his commitment to Ireland and that the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had not yet approached him.

Sherratt made eight personnel changes, including Gloucester duo Llewellyn and Anscombe, and made his Scarlets wing debut, Ellis Mee, who only had his eleventh professional game.

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

With full-back Osborne making his Six Nations debut, Ireland made seven changes, including hooker Dan Sheehan, who was named captain, and Conan who replaced Caelan Doris who was injured.

Ireland were playing predominantly white at Principality Stadium when the roof of the stadium was closed to assist supporters who had color blindness, with the traditional green shirts having previously 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.

Conan had a good chance of winning the early going penalty thanks to a clever 50-22 kick from Ringrose, and Prendergast converted before slotting over a penalty.

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

With center Llewellyn in the spotlight, the home team appeared more unified in the attack than in the first two games.

Ireland also blew a winning chance when Osborne’s long pass to Ringrose turned the other way and caused him to lose.

Resurgent Wales continued to pressurize Ireland when Ringrose was initially shown a yellow card for his high tackle on Thomas, who was then given a decision to the bunker.

Wales kept the pressure before Morgan burrowed over to give the hosts a 13-10 half-time lead after Anscombe scored his second penalty to cut the deficit to four points.

Wales quickly used their extra man with a free-flowing move that was started by a massive Will Rowlands carry as Ringrose’s 20-minute red card was confirmed in the interim.

Blair Murray and Scarlets team-mate Rogers set up a spectacular finish in the corner, which followed.

Before center Bundee Aki reached the goal after the 20-minute red card, Prendergast cut the deficit to five points with his second penalty.

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.

Murray held up Hansen over the Wales line, but Prendergast slotted over a penalty to give the Irish a six-point lead before a superb long-range effort gave the Irish a lead.

Wales fought back, and Mee appeared to have scored a brilliant try in the corner, but TMO (TVM) Ian Tempest justly rejected it for a knock on.

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) &amp, Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)

Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (Eng)