Ireland go third after their win against Wales last night in the second last match in the Women’s Six Nations
12:32, 10 May 2026Updated 12:34, 10 May 2026
Ireland’s Béibhinn Parsons hands off Carys Cox of Wales(Image: ©INPHO/Nick Elliott)
Ireland women’s national rugby union team sit third in the table following last night’s win over bottom-placed Wales women’s national rugby union team at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast.
With a final score of 33-12, along with a bonus point, Scott Bemand’s side are building momentum ahead of their clash with Scotland women’s national rugby union team at the Aviva Stadium next Sunday in the final round of the Women’s Six Nations.
Brittany Hogan and player of the match Aoife Wafer scored two tries apiece, while Béibhinn Parsons also crossed the line to help secure victory for the girls in green.
The win will give Ireland confidence following their defeat to France women’s national rugby union team two weeks ago and their earlier victory over Italy women’s national rugby union team.
The victory came despite a tight first half and a chaotic second period. Cliodhna Moloney was shown a yellow card after a kick at Georgia Evans, the Welsh try scorer, reducing Ireland to 14 players for 10 minutes. Wales soon followed suit, with Jasmine Joyce also sent to the sin bin a few minutes later.
It was Wafer’s dominant display that ultimately secured the bonus point for Ireland, as she led the attacking charge and linked play superbly around the field.
Despite sitting bottom of the table, Wales entered the match full of confidence after scoring four tries against likely Grand Slam winners England women’s national rugby union team.
Ireland opened the scoring through Wafer, with Dannah O’Brien adding the conversion. Wales responded through Evans, before Keira Bevan slotted over the conversion.
Ireland then had a try disallowed for a double movement by Moloney, but quickly made amends when Parsons crossed the line. The final play of the half saw Ireland attack boldly again, with Hogan touching down for their third try.
Following the restart, a TMO review resulted in Moloney being shown a yellow card, but Wales were unable to take advantage of the extra player and soon found themselves reduced to 14 when Joyce was sin-binned.
Wafer then crossed for her second try to secure the bonus point, and 10 minutes later substitute Neve Jones had a try ruled out following another TMO review.
After returning to the field, Joyce scored Wales’ second try after a penalty, but Ireland held firm. Hogan grabbed her second try in the closing stages and, with O’Brien adding her fourth successful conversion, Ireland saw out victory comfortably.
The current standings see England women’s national rugby union team top of the table and on course for an eighth consecutive Six Nations title. France are second, followed by Ireland, Italy and Scotland, while Wales remain bottom after four straight defeats.
Ireland face Scotland at the Aviva Stadium next Sunday, May 17, at 2.30pm. It will be the first standalone Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture to be held at the venue.
Speaking to RTE after the game, player of the match Aoife Wafer said: “We knew they were a physical outfit. They obviously showed that against England with their four tries and getting that point, not everyone can do that.
“We probably weren’t very happy with our first half, but we came out with a fast start after half-time and we were much happier with the second half. We’re building into the tournament and we’re pleased with how we responded.”
“We spoke at half-time about levelling up. We didn’t really do that in the first half, but we managed it in the second, and fair play to our bench as well because they made a real impact.”
Wales captain Beth Lewis told BBC Sport NI after the game: “We knew Ireland would be physical here and I think we matched that, but we had some handling errors that we need to tighten up.
“We always talk about being ‘Welsh warriors’, and I think we showed that today.”