Match Centre: Wales 10-34 Ireland

Wales 10-34 Ireland, Principality Stadium

Ireland continued their good run from the previous year as they defeated Wales 34-10 in the opening round of the Six Nations at Principality Stadium on Saturday.

Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe scored first half tries while Josh van der Flier touched down in the second half as Andy Farrell's men registered their first Six Nations victory in Cardiff for 10 years. This was also their highest margin win in Cardiff since 2001.

Ireland made a dream start to the game as they launched an early attack at the end of which Caelan Doris powered his way over for a second minute try and skipper Jonathan Sexton landed a conversion to take them to an early lead.

Wales' indiscipline continued to cost them as James Ryan also went over following a short tap penalty and once again Sexton got the conversion right as Ireland doubled their lead to 0-14.

Wales showed some momentum as Rio Dyer kicked ahead but he was denied a try by Hugo Keenan but eventually the visitors got their opening points in the 14th minute when Dan Biggar kicked a penalty goal following a five-metre scrum.

However, Sexton restored the 14-point lead for Ireland by the end of the opening quarter with a penalty kick of his own underneath the posts. Ireland once again seized the momentum as James Lowe intercepted a pass from Biggar to dot down in the 21st minute and Sexton improved it before kicking another three-pointer in the 28th minute.

Wales once again came close as debutant Joe Hawkins provided the break but Biggar was held before the try-line as Ireland went into the break with a 3-27 lead.

Wales showed better intent in the second half as George North and Joe Hawkins combined to send Liam Williams over the line and Biggar kicked the extras making it 10-27.

Even though Wales had a better possession in the second half, they could not convert both of it to points and in the 66th minute they lost Williams to sin-bin for a high tackle on Sexton. Josh van der Flier with the final try of the game that came in the 73rd minute ensured Ireland claimed the bonus point as they started their campaign with a convincing win.

Team line up:

Wales: L Williams; Adams, North, Hawkins, Dyer; Biggar, T Williams; G Thomas, Owens (capt), Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Morgan, Tipuric, Faletau.

Reserves: Baldwin, Carre, Lewis, Jenkins, Reffell, Webb, O Williams, Cuthbert.

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Murray; Porter, Sheehan, Bealham, Beirne, Ryan, O'Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris

Reserves: Herring, Healy, O'Toole, Henderson, Conan, Casey, R Byrne, Aki.