A victory before facing the Blues.
In a jam-packed Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Ireland edged Wales 10-34 to open the Six Nations Championship.
A big away victory, along with the offensive bonus (4 tries scored), which confirms the status of favorites of Ireland, world number one ahead of the XV of France, who will challenge them next Saturday in Dublin.
From the start of the meeting, the XV of Clover wasted no time in announcing the color.
In the 3rd minute of play, Caelan Doris already crucified the Welsh defense by scoring the first try of the game after a carried ball.
James Ryan quickly worsens the mark with a new try before the 10th minute.
By intercepting a pass from Dan Biggar (21st), James Lowe then dealt a real blow to the Red Dragons.
After recovering from 22m, the Irishman escapes on the left wing, completely alone, and brings the score to 22-3.
The Welsh too imprecise
But on returning from the locker room, the Welsh no longer have the same face, and quickly restore hope to their supporters.
From the 46th minute, Liam Williams revives the suspense by scoring his first try, in a more balanced second period.
But despite better intentions, Wales never managed to really get back into the game, hampered by the yellow card inflicted on Liam Williams in the 66th.
At the end of the match, Ireland even offered themselves the offensive bonus thanks to their fourth try, scored by Josh Van der Flier.
What perfectly launch his Six Nations 2023, before facing the XV of France in a week.
Too imprecise, too faulty, Wales started this Six Nations tournament with a defeat at home, after finishing only fifth in the last edition.
Warren Gatland, the favorite New Zealand coach of the Welsh who made his return to this Tournament, did not work miracles.
