Details

Date Time Competition Season
29 January 2023 11:00 am Celtic Challenge 2022/23

Match Report

Combined Provinces Successful In Celtic Challenge Opener

The Irish Combined Provinces got off to the optimum start in the Celtic Challenge as they overcame the WRU Development XV 27-26 In Cardiff this afternoon.

Next up for the Combined Provinces are The Thistles on Saturday, February 4th in Kingspan Stadium. It was a nervy end to the tie as the Irish side looked in control, but they almost squandered the lead late on a knock on by the Welsh ensuring they held out to seal a narrow one point opening win.

A strong start from the visitors saw them set up camp in the Welsh half to put the hosts under pressure. Captain Hannah O’Connor punctured the home side’s defence and almost got the first score of the tie but a huge tackle from Sioned Harries held her up over the line.

Eventually the visitors' patience was rewarded after quick play out wide sent Ella Roberts over for the opening try, but the conversion attempt that followed just went wide.

The hosts had the opportunity to answer back at the restart after a penalty in their favour handed them the line out deep in their opponents 22.

Their first visit into the Combined Provinces half and they didn’t come away empty handed with Teleri Wyn Davies powering her way through for the try. Lauren Smyth converting to put them ahead 7-5

The WRU Development XV looked to go again after capitalising on an Irish mistake to charge back up field but a turnover and clearing kick kept them away. Niamh Terry’s clearing kick was charged down and quickly gathered by the visitors to see Ella Roberts through for her second try. Dannah O’Brien converted to put the Combined Provinces back ahead 7-12.

Momentum swung their way and a penalty for the Combined Provinces set up the driving maul in the Welsh 22 to put Emma Hooban in for their third try. Just before halftime, the Combined Provinces had the time and space to sneak in the try in the corner through Ailsa Hughes to put the visitors 7-22 ahead at the break.

Coming out for the second-half, the Welsh side looked to come out firing and piled the pressure onto their opponents. Booting the ball up field out off the back of the visitors scrum, strong support set the Welsh side up nicely for the attack.

Powering through Kat Evans sealed the try for the development side with Catherine Richards slotting the conversion to narrow the score 14-22.

Going again, the Welsh side charged back up field and a penalty in their favour allowed them the shot at the lineout in the 22. Huge power in the drive made room for Harries to score. No conversion kept the Combined Provinces just ahead 19-22.

Back with the ball in hand, the Combined Provinces now capitalised on penalties going against their hosts to put Aoife Dalton in for the try to keep the scoreboard in their favour.

But the Welsh side kept in the fight with a lovely break in mid-field from Niamh Terry who chipped the ball up field to see Jenna De Vera race over the whitewash to score. Richards converted to make it a one point game going into the final ten.

Despite a big last gasp effort from Wales a knock on after a break out wide saw the Combined Provinces hold on to the 26-27 victory.

Timeline

Past Meetings

(Round 1)
19 - 27
Women's Six Nations
Aviva Stadium

Ireland v Wales

(Round 1)
29 - 7
Six Nations
Aviva Stadium

Ireland v Wales

(Round 1)
53 - 5
U20 Six Nations
Aviva Stadium

Ireland v Wales

(Week 1)
21 - 16
Six Nations
Principality Stadium

Wales v Ireland

Ground

Cardiff Arms Park
Millennium Walk, Cardiff, Wales

Get all the latest news, reports, results, fixtures, statistics and tables from the SSE Airtricity Leagues, All Ireland League as well as Inter county and club Gaelic Games.