The 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations got underway as Wales secured a huge 31-5 victory over Ireland to kickstart their campaign in front of a record attendance at Cardiff Arms Park.

Wales asserted themselves early on after winning a huge scrum penalty just inside halfway. From the resulting driving lineout the Welsh pack launched a driving maul that rumbled over the line. Alex Callender emerged from the mass of bodies to claim the score and put the Welsh in front.

Welsh elation turned to despair as Gwen Crabb looked to be badly injured as she left the field in tears with a nasty looking injury.

Wales came again with another try, this time through Bevan with an opportune, sniping score. She converted her own try to take a 12-0 lead.

The home side continued their set piece dominance five metres out with another monstrous driving maul over Ireland’s line. Replacement Sioned Harries got the score and Wales stretched their lead to 19-0 thanks to Bevan nailing the conversion.

Bevan was running the show for Wales and found a clutch 50:22 to give Wales another great platform. Wales’ physicality was outstanding and big carries from Sisilia Tuipulotu, Hannah Jones and Gwenllian Pyrs consistently got the home side into positions where really hurt Ireland.

Wales got their try bonus point in the first half when Kerin Lake rampaged through Nicole Cronin and put her centre partner, Hannah Jones under the sticks. It was one way traffic in Cardiff.

The first half was as close to perfect as Wales and Head Coach Ioan Cunningham could have hoped for ahead of this match.

Welsh dominance continued into the second half as the massively impressive debutant Tuipulotu burst over from short range. This would’ve been the perfect start to her international career, but the tighthead knocked the ball on just before going over.

After Deirbhile Nic A Bhaird was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock on, Elinor Snowsill sent the ball into the corner and from the resulting attack, Tuipulotu finally got the score she deserved. The prop burrowed over and was too powerful for the Irish defenders. The 19-year-old was outstanding in the opening 50.

Ireland’s first real attack of the match came just after the hour mark. They applied some real pressure to the Welsh line and they finally got a score on the board when Nichola Fryday rode two tackles to score and give the Irish something to smile about.

Ireland made use of the strong wind swirling around the Cardiff Arms Park and got some more success in the second half but Wales were proving to be too strong for the visiting Ireland side.

The Welsh closed out the game and will be delighted with their performance. They will be raring to go ahead of next week when they travel to Scotland. Ireland will need to regroup fast as they face France in round 2.