Ireland's women lose Welsh counterparts
WALES 10 IRELAND 5
Ireland's Women's team were made to pay for a poor first half performance as Wales, inspired by out-half Naomi Thomas, swept to a 10-5 victory in their Six Nations opener in Cardiff this afternoon.
Cobh man John O'Sullivan's first game in charge of Ireland ended in defeat at Taffs Well RFC, despite the hosts having Louise Rickard sent off in the closing stages of the second half.
The left winger earned her second yellow card, having only just come back from the sin-bin, for slowing up ruck ball.
Eighth-place finishers at last year's World Cup, Ireland had their defence badly exposed in the seventh-minute when Thomas, linking with centre Clare Flowers, sped through a gap for a try.
Clifton star Thomas added the extras and a penalty to leave the visitors trailing by 10-0 at the break.
The Welsh, who failed to qualify for the World Cup, fully deserved their advantage having continued the good form that saw them beat Italy (30-7) and Holland (24-0) in November.
In the words of their manager Mark Andrews, the Irish put in 'a far better performance' in the second half, and ten minutes from time, Blackrock's Grave Davitt, playing on the left flank, dotted down after a flowing backline move.
Next Saturday sees the Irish in action on home soil - St. Mary's College RFC in Dublin (kick-off 2.30pm) to be precise - as they face the might of France, a team that beat them 43-0 at the World Cup in September.
Scorers: Wales: Try: Naomi Thomas; Con: Thomas; Pen: Thomas
Ireland: Try: Grace Davitt
