View all the rosters and results from the 2012 Six Nations here.
from Scrumqueens:
Ireland recorded their biggest ever win over Wales in a six-try crushing at Ashbourne in their re-played fixture. The Irish were on fire winning 36-0 in a game they were hugely comfortable in throughout.
The result meant Ireland were celebrating their biggest ever victory over Wales at this level, easily beating the previous record which had stood since March 1996 (22-6).
Wales suffered a huge blow earlier in the morning with captain Rachel Taylor failing in her bid to have a citing charge overturned from last weekend’s defeat to England and so being ruled out of the game just hours before kick –off.
Third-placed Ireland host Scotland in Ashbourne next Friday before making the trip to London for a St. Patrick’s Day finale against England.
Ireland must be truly ruing not being able to record a victory in France three weeks ago, a game where they lost by a point but had chances to win it.
No less they will go into the final two games targeting a first ever Triple Crown.
Tries from Joy Neville, Sophie Spence, Niamh Kavanagh, Alison Miller, Gillian Bourke and Ashleigh Baxter did the damage for the girls in green, who are now two points behind leaders England with two rounds remaining.
Lisa Newton took over in the visitors’ back row, while a late injury for Paula Fitzpatrick saw Ulster’s Stacey-Lea Kennedy added to the Ireland bench.
In sunny but cold conditions, Ireland got off to a promising start with talented number eight Neville touching down in the ninth minute, getting on the end of a terrific maul.
Niamh Briggs failed to convert and in a lively start, Wales’ Laura Prosser also slid a penalty attempt wide of the target.
Playing with the wind, Wales enjoyed a period of dominance around the midpoint of the half and a yellow card for centre Grace Davitt left Ireland shorthanded.
It took a series of strong tackles to keep their try-line intact, but their quality in attack soon shone through as Spence and the elusive Kavanagh helped themselves to tries.
Second-row Spence, in only her third appearance at this level, caught the Wales defence off guard to run in a rousing try which Briggs converted from in front of the posts.
Even better followed for the enthusiastic home crowd as flanker Claire Molloy made a superb break to tee up Kavanagh’s third try in two games.
The UL Bohemians clubwoman is in the form of her life and although Briggs’ conversion attempt fell short, Ireland’s tails were most definitely up at 17-0.
Into the second half, the now wind-backed Irish made further inroads. A loose pass spoilt a Wales attack and the razor sharp Miller gobbled up the ball to dart over for Ireland’s fourth try of the afternoon.
It was a deserved score for the Laois flyer, who has been a constant threat in this year’s Championship with ball in hand. She also dotted down in the abandoned game against Wales last month.
With 55 minutes on the clock, hooker Bourke crashed over with Wales unable to halt another well-orchestrated Irish maul. Briggs’ conversion attempt came back off the woodwork.
Larissa Muldoon and Jennifer Murphy enjoyed run-outs as replacements with the hosts maintaining a firm grasp on proceedings.
Wales simply had no answers to Ireland’s strength and speed in possession. Full-back Baxter, who had a try ruled out against Italy, got over for a well-merited score in the corner with Briggs adding the extras from out wide.
Replacement Heather O’Brien received a yellow card shortly after her introduction, but there was no consolation score for the well-beaten Wales.
View all the rosters and results from the 2012 Six Nations here.
