Ireland 31 Wales 7: Hosts on track for back-to-back Six Nations titles with third straight bonus-point win
IRELAND kept their quest for successive Six Nations Grand Slam titles on track by brushing aside spirited Wales with a dominant 31-7 victory in Dublin.
Andy Farrell's men backed up crushing wins over France and Italy with a third consecutive bonus-point triumph to keep themselves in pole position for further championship glory.
First-half tries from Dan Sheehan and James Lowe paved the way for the reigning champions to equal England's tournament record of 11 wins in a row.
Wales avoided embarrassment at the Aviva Stadium and briefly threatened an improbable fightback thanks to a second-half spell which brought a penalty try and a yellow card for Tadhg Beirne.
But a first Test try for stand-in Ireland full-back Ciaran Frawley broke their resolve before Beirne atoned for his earlier error by securing the bonus point at the death on an afternoon when flawless fly-half Jack Crowley kicked 11 points.
Ireland's ominous march towards another clean sweep continues next month against England and Scotland, while winless Wales host France in round four ahead of a possible wooden spoon shoot-out with Italy.
A largely inexperienced Wales team crossed the Irish Sea as overwhelming underdogs on the back of narrow defeats to the Scots and Steve Borthwick's side.
Visiting head coach Warren Gatland insisted he travelled with belief rather than hope and urged his players to make "everything uncomfortable" for the fancied hosts.
Wales' bid to disrupt began with some colossal defending as the home team's early dominance was initially rewarded only by a long-range Crowley penalty.
Yet Ireland's well-oiled machine persisted with wave after wave of attack to break down the staunch resistance and take control of the scoreboard.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Hooker Sheehan powered over at the end of a line-out maul in the 21st minute to claim his fourth try of the tournament before Calvin Nash later teed up Lowe to touch down in the left corner.
Wales finally enjoyed some forays into Ireland's 22 just before the break.
But Sam Costelow's decision to kick a penalty to the corner failed to pay off, while a couple of costly fumbles ensured they went into half-time scoreless for a third match on the bounce, at 17-0 down.
Any potential fears Wales had of joining Italy in being nilled in Dublin were extinguished within three minutes of the restart as Tomos Williams' quick tap penalty led to a momentum shift.
Italian referee Andrea Piardi awarded a penalty try at the end of a lengthy review of a collapsed maul on Ireland's line, with Beirne sent to the sin bin for illegally changing his bind.
Fired-up Wales were well and truly in the ascendancy at that stage but failed to make further inroads on the scoreboard in Beirne's absence before Ireland restored order.
After the bulldozing Bundee Aki was denied a try on review for Robbie Henshaw's knock on, Frawley, deputising for the injured Hugo Keenan, gleefully dived under the posts to celebrate his first Test start in style.
Wales came close to a consolation score in the closing minutes, during which Ireland replacement James Ryan was sent to the sin bin.
Yet, with Beirne's late finish compounding their misery, they ultimately slipped to a 10th defeat from their last 11 Six Nations fixtures as their wait for a first championship win in Dublin since 2012 goes on.
You can follow how the action unfolded in our live blog below...
Farrell looking to towards next challenge
Ireland will travel to Twickenham to face England in their next game.
This will no doubt be their toughest test remaining to see if they can seal a Grand Slam.
There is nothing Andy Farrell would love more than to go to England HQ and score a massive win.
Wales show up but fall short
You cannot fault the effort of the Welsh players today and they gave it their all for the full 80 minutes.
The pivotal moment was the yellow card, they failed to make their man advantage count during that phase.
Once Ireland were back to their full compliment, they put their foot on the gas and forced home their dominance.
Irish making Aviva Stadium a fortress
No side would fancy a trip to Dublin at the moment.
Ireland made it 18 consecutive test wins at the Aviva Stadium with their 31-7 victory over Wales.
You would be hard pushed to see anyone stopping the men in green getting a Grand Slam this season.
Credit: AP
FT: Ireland 31-7 Wales
Ireland make it 11 consecutive Six Nations victories.
They have equalled England's record with today's win.
Andy Farrell's side were rampant from start to finish and fully deserved this comfortable scoreline.
FT: Ireland 31-7 Wales
It is all too easy as Beirne ghosts through the middle to score.
Crowley adds the conversion to make it the perfect end to the match for the Irish.
Another comfortable win for Andy Farrell's side.
Try - Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
Ireland 24-7 Wales
80+1. Ireland are not giving up on this try.
They continue to work through the phases deep into the red zone.
Wales are trying to stand firm and prevent another score.
Ireland 24-7 Wales
79. Ireland are awarded a penalty on the halfway line.
It gives them the chance to kick for touch and think about pushing for a fourth try.
Bundee Aki is awarded the player of the match award.
Credit: Sportsfile Ireland 24-7 Wales
77. Wainright tries to go over the try line but is held up.
Huge celebrations from the Ireland defence as they now get the chance to clear.
Wales really should have worked the phases more there with the man advantage.
Yellow card - James Ryan (Ireland)
Ireland 24-7 Wales
73. Ireland knock on, giving Wales the ball on the halfway line.
Dyer does well in that play, he has had a good game today.
Wales are putting pressure on the Irish line once again.
Ireland 24-7 Wales
71. With the game in the bag now, Farrell rings the changes.
For a brief moment after that Welsh try, we seemed to have a game on once again.
That try pretty much confirms another home test victory for the men in green.
Ireland 24-7 Wales
69. Ireland get the try as Frawley runs over the line unopposed.
Wales just did not have the numbers there to keep them out.
Crowley makes no mistake in sending the conversion over.
Try - Ciaran Frawley (Ireland)
Ireland 17-7 Wales
67. Kieran Hardy comes on for Wales at scrum-half.
Ireland are driving for the Welsh line once again.
There are spaces opening up for the hosts here now.
Ireland 17-7 Wales
65. A great kick downfield by Crowley, bouncing once before going into touch deep in Welsh territory.
Wales win the lineout and look to play their way out of trouble.
They opt to kick the ball to clear their lines.
Ireland 17-7 Wales
63. Ireland are knocking on the door as Nash burst through.
A loose pass is intercepted by Wales and they are able to kick downfield.
Dyer chases it down well and gets a good tackle in on Lowe.
Credit: AP Ireland 17-7 Wales
61. Wales are frustrated as they feel there was a forward pass in the build up to the try.
TMO is having a look at this one.
There may well have been a knock on as well.
As a result, the try is disallowed and it is Welsh ball.
Try - Bundee Aki (Ireland)
Ireland 17-7 Wales
59. Ireland come downfield, looking to put some pressure on.
With the sides now even in numbers, they look to get back to their normal game.
Lowe breaks the tackle and finds Gibson-Park, metres short of the Welsh line.
The visitors are struggling to keep them out here.
Ireland 17-7 Wales
57. Wales are working through the phases but struggling to make any inroads.
Ireland are awarded a penalty as the defence celebrates.
Gatland will be disappointed that they could not find an opening there.
Ireland 17-7 Wales
55. Beirne is back on for the Irish now.
The Welsh attack breaks down as Ireland turn the ball over.
Gibson-Park kicks for touch but Wales will have a lineout on the hosts' twenty-two.
Rowlands and Martin come on for Wales.
Jager comes on for his first Irish cap also.
Ireland 17-7 Wales
53. This is a completely different Wales we are seeing now.
They have advanced 60 metres in a matter of minutes.
Tomkins tries a crossfield kick but it is deflected and Ireland regather so the referee brings it back for a Welsh penalty.
Ireland 17-7 Wales
51. van der Flier heads off for a head assessment.
Conan comes on to replace him.
Lewis comes on for Wales to freshen things up a bit, replacing Assiratti.
Ireland 17-7 Wales
49. Wales looked to take advantage of gaps opening up but the ball is knocked on as they look for quick offloads.
Winnett side-steps Lowe brilliantly during that attack, he is coming into this game more in this half.
McCarthy bursts through the challenges and puts Ireland back on the front foot.
Credit: PA
