Wales 10-34 Ireland: Andy Farrell’s side make convincing start to their Six Nations campaign

The Welsh Rugby Union probably thought it couldn’t get any worse.

Until this.

After a fortnight of negative headlines off the pitch centering on shocking allegations of sexism and misogyny in the governing body and the resignation of chief executive Steve Phillips, this opening game of the Six Nations was a chance for everyone in Wales to focus on the action in the field.

It was an absolute disaster, certainly before half time.

World number 1 Ireland was absolutely dominant, too good for the home side even without key duo Tadhg Furlong and Jamison Gibson-Park due to injury.

For Warren Gatland, it was a punishing first game as Wales boss. Gatland had spoken in preparation that his team was in a good place to challenge Andy Farrell’s Ireland.

But his first 40 minutes were totally abject. Wales conceded nine first-half penalties and Ireland walked, or rather crashed, straight through the gate to score three times.

This was Ireland’s first Six Nations victory in Cardiff since 2013 and while it was a standout win, one must acknowledge the scarcity of their opponents when assessing their display.

“Welsh rugby is a game for everyone,” the Principality Stadium host announced before kick-off in an attempt to show the WRU in a positive light. There hasn’t been much of that recently.

The pre-match chorus was also banned from singing the Tom Jones hit Delilah, but it was sung loudly on the streets of Cardiff before the match and also by fans during the match.

A blank look crossed Gatland’s face in the coaches box during a first half in which Ireland scored through Caelan Doris, James Ryan and James Lowe. You wondered if Gatland was wondering if he had made a mistake returning to the Welsh bench.

Wales will surely improve on this. They definitely can’t be worse than their first half in Cardiff. For Ireland, it was an ideal start to the Six Nations, as Josh van der Flier’s late effort meant a four-try bonus point.

Even without Furlong and Gibson-Park, who was an 11-hour retirement with a hamstring injury, Ireland’s start was perfect. It should not be forgotten that Robbie Henshaw was not present either.

Ireland received a helping hand from Welsh winger Liam Williams. As Lowe stepped forward, Williams took cover again.

The fullback, playing in just his fifth game this season, assured Dan Biggar he was in control, but he didn’t get off to a clear start and put pressure on Josh Adams. Adams’ punt was bad.

He gave Ireland a perfect set-piece platform at the Welsh 22 and Doris soon crashed from close range after multiple phases. Johnny Sexton converted. Ireland is clinical when given the chance.

And Wales provided opportunities for them, allowing easy tackles on their own 22 through poor discipline. Lock Ryan made two for Ireland after a quick touch.

Sexton again improved the effort to make it 14-0 in less than 10 minutes. A sold-out Welsh crowd was shocked. His first chance to cheer came when an Irish attack broke up.

Local wing Rio Dyer attacked, but prominent Irish full-back Hugo Keenan rallied to avoid danger. Biggar kicked a penalty despite the Welsh scrum being pushed back.

Sexton soon called that off.

Then it got even worse for Wales. From his first attack in real phase, Biggar looked to pass the ball to Williams. He was intercepted by Ireland’s wing Lowe, who went all the way.

Ireland were scoring at more than one point per minute. It was car accidents for Wales and Gatland.

Even when it seemed certain there was a score at home, Garry Ringrose produced an impressive tackle to save a try on Biggar and Lowe beat the ball to win the turnover.

Wales’ discipline was impressive. They handed out stupid and easy penalties. Ireland did not need a second invitation. The green jerseys were totally dominant in the contact. Taking over for Gibson-Park, Conor Murray was given an armchair ride. His service was skillful as he found runners at will.

The Welsh supporters cheered wryly as referee Karl Dickson awarded them a penalty. What they did not realize was that it was not the officer who was stopping them.

Wales shot himself in the foot over and over again. The number of offside penalties was embarrassing. The Gatland team stopped over the line and Taulupe Faletau spilled a ball before the break. The halftime score of 27-3 meant the game was over as a contest.

A missed shot into the side by Wales captain Ken Owens summed it up.

Owens and Biggar, never one to back down, seemed on the brink of a big fight in such a state of the debacle that was Wales’ performance.

Williams recovered one early in the second half. Backs Adams, George North and Tomos Williams were unusual presences at the line-out.

North won the ball, and from there, Biggar’s pass sent Liam Williams over the top. As he scored, Ireland’s Andrew Porter slipped into the end. Biggar objected and a fight broke out before the conversion.

Porter’s strike meant Wales were awarded a penalty from the halfway line at the restart. They kicked into the corner, but Owens’s sideline shot didn’t work. Biggar’s frustration was clear.

One of the few bright spots for the Welsh was the performance of rookie center Joe Hawkins, who showed some good touches at center in just his second cap.

What surely must have been a half-time rocket from Gatland meant Wales had more on them in the second period. Liam Williams, who has never lacked a bottle, burst into midfield.

He was then beaten late by Ireland replacement Iain Henderson but only a penalty was awarded.

Wales recovered to some extent, but it was too little too late. Owens, uncharacteristically, struggled heavily on set pieces and Ireland weathered the storm with a healthy lead already built up.

Owens and his fellow Welsh old guard of Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Biggar all withdrew. Wing Dyer never stopped running. But Wales were second best throughout.

Liam Williams’ mixed day was completed with a yellow card for a high tackle on Sexton. It was a bit rough for the Welshman, but he made contact with the Irish center’s head.

With the Wales full-back in the trash, Ireland secured a crucial fourth place when Van der Flier, the world’s best player, crashed between the posts.

It completed an utterly miserable day for Wales and a jubilant one for their opponents.