The Women’s Six Nations Round 3 fixtures were competed over the weekend with no major surprises this time round.
A Claire Molloy breakdown masterclass saw Ireland through against Wales.
Ireland (14) 35
TRY: Leah Lyons, Claire Molloy (2), Sene Naoupu, Hannah Tyrrell
CON: Niamh Briggs (3) Kim Flood (2)
Wales (0) 12
TRY: Amy Evans, Sioned Harries
CON: Elinor Snowsill
Ireland dominated the first quarter and eventually made this count with Leah Lyons powering over off the back of a rolling maul. Niamh Briggs knocked over the conversion from out wide.
Wales looked to get back in the game as the half progressed but it was Ireland who were next to trouble to the scoreboard with the hugely impressive Claire Molloy finishing off a break by Sene Naoupu and Katie Fitzhenry. Brigg’s conversion to the score to 14 – 0 at half time.
Wales certainly had the better of the third quarter as they powered back into the game with a try from tighthead Amy Evans, converted by Elinor Snowsill, minutes before the influential Sioned Harries powered through the Ireland defence to make it a two point game.
Ireland also lost prop Lindsay Peat to a yellow card for a high tackle in the build-up to that try as the match swug in the visitors favour.
However, despite being down to 14, Ireland couldn’t be contained and Naoupu made her second incisive break, this time finishing it off herself, to give Ireland some daylight. Briggs converted the try to take the score to 21 – 12.
Wales looked for a response but their confidence appeared to have taken a dent and Ireland wrapped up the game with the bonus point try from Hannah Tyrrell before Molloy crossed for her second in the final minutes. Kim Flood converted both after taking over kicking duties following Brigg’s late substitution.
Final Score: Ireland 35 Wales 12
Ireland: Kim Flood, Megan Williams, Katie Fitzhenry, Sene Naoupu, Claire McLaughlin, Niamh Briggs, Ailsa Hughes, Lindsay Peat, Ciara O’Connor, Leah Lyons, Orla Fitzsimons, Aoife McDermott, Ciara Griffin, Claire Molloy, Paula Fitzpatrick. Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Laura Feely, Fiona Reidy, Elaine Anthony, Edel McMahon, Nicole Cronin, Michelle Claffey, Hannah Tyrrell
Round 3 Wrap
England and France produced regulation try bonus wins against Scotland and Italy respectively and Ireland recorded a more comfortable win against Wales than what I was expecting.
The Round 3 results are as follows:
| Scotland | 8 | 43 | England | Scotstoun |
| France | 57 | 0 | Italy | Stade Furiani |
| Ireland | 35 | 12 | Wales | Donnybrook |
Scotland made England work hard in the first half of their match at Scotstown on Friday night but England pulled away with a degree of comfort in the second half.
France v Italy was a scrappy affair, but I suppose it was better than the Ulster match that I switched over from. France were just too good and the worrying thing is they have yet to hit their straps in this competition!
Ireland v Wales was also a scrappy first half but it did improve considerably in the second. Wales had their chance to do something when they pulled it back to a one score game but Ireland had the stronger resolve and thankfully found a bit more continuity at the end.
This leaves the league table as follows:
| TEAM | P | W | PD | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 3 | 3 | 122 | 3 | 15 |
| France | 3 | 3 | 104 | 3 | 15 |
| Ireland | 3 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 9 |
| Wales | 3 | 1 | (74) | 0 | 4 |
| Scotland | 3 | 0 | (59) | 1 | 1 |
| Italy | 3 | 0 | (105) | 0 | 0 |
France and England play off for the championship next weekend.
Ireland look to have consolidated the position of best of the rest, though I suspect Scotland will make them work harder than a disappointing Wales.
We’d a couple of photographers down in Donnybrook on Sunday.
Gallery Below
Photo credit – Bob Given Photography & Graham Service Photography
