Women Lose By Narrowest Margin

That first Six Nations win eluded the Irish Women’s side on Saturday when they lost 14-13 to Wales at Thomond Park after trailing 14-0 at half-time.

Ireland Women 13- 14 Wales Women.

Wales lost fifty times capped full back Non Evans and fly-half Awen Thomas to failed fitness tests but Ireland couldn’t capitalize allowing Wales take a 14 point half time lead.

Fiona Steed, winning her 59th consecutive cap, grabbed two tries and Sarah Jane Belton slotted a penalty but it wasn’t enough for Ireland who’s next task is a daunting visit to Twickenham.

Reigning champions England, beat Scotland 20-7.

Scorers Wales: Hayley Baxter 2 tries ( 1 min, 30 mins), Stacey Saunders 2 cons (2 mins, 31 mins)
Scorers Ireland: Fiona Steed 2 tries (44 mins, 58 mins,) SarahJane Belton 1 pen (78 mins)

Ireland: S J Belton (UL-Bohs), L Cantwell (ULBohs), S Fleming (Cooke) ( c ), P Kelly (ULBohs), N Milne (Worcester) , J O Sullivan (Nottingham), Louise Beamish (UL-Bohs), J Neville (Shannon), F Steed (Shannon), R Boyd (Cooke), A M McAllister (Shannon), R Foley (Shannon), G McAllister (Cooke), J Lonergan (Shannon), F Coghlan (UL-Bohs)
Reserves: M Dolo ( Old Belvedere) for G McAllister 77 M McCarthy (Blackrock), J Leacy (Blackrock) E O Sullivan (Shannon) T Rosser ( Blackrock), N Ni Chaidhain (Galwegians) for N Milne 40, A Greensmith (Shannon)

Wales: Elen Evans (Dolgellau), Manon Williams (Caernarfon), Louise Rickard (Saracens), Rhian Williams (Wasps), 11 Hayley Baxter (UWIC), Stacey Saunders (Tylorstown), Cath Walkley (Aberystwyth), Kylie Wilson (Caernarfon), Esther Eckley (Llandaff North), Mel Berry (Worcester), Ayla Rose (Llandaff North), Becky Dando (UWIC), Claire Horgan (Saracens), Nicola John (Cardiff Quins), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins)
Reserves: Dominique Atwood (Thirsk), Amy Broadstock (Llandaff North), Kath Foale (Saracens) Emma Phillips (Llandaff North), Kath Lenaghan (Cardiff Quins), Lowri Jones (Bala), Lucy Berry (Fishguard)