Ireland clocked up their second successive 2020 Six Nations win, beating Wales 24 – 14 at Lansdowne Road on Saturday afternoon.

After a dour game against Scotland, Ireland got their attack going in this one with tries from Jordan Larmour and Tadhg Furlong in the first half and Josh van der Flier and Andrew Conway in the second.

Ireland started the game strongly but, thanks to an energised Welsh defence, it took almost all the first quarter before they were able to make their mark.

The home side’s breakthrough came through their favoured play of a lineout near the Welsh line where they worked some space for Larmour who stepped the last defender to cross out wide for the unconverted try.

Wales, who had been starved of possession, did look good with ball in hand and in a rare period of possession a silky pass from Dan Biggar put Alun Wyn Jones through the defensive line, the Welsh pair again combining to send Tomos Williams over. Biggar converted to take the score to 5 – 7 in Wales favour.

Ireland still had the lions share of possession and territory and it began to count with Bundee Aki crashing up the centre for Furlong to crash over from close range. Johnny Sexton added the extras and Ireland we back in front at 12- 7, a lead they took to the break.

Ireland had the chance at the start of the second half to deploy their favourite weapon, kicking to the corner to unleash their lineout and maul. Their remarkable success rate continued with van der Flier stretching over off the back of the maul. Sexton added the extras to extend Ireland’s lead to 19 – 7 on the 47th minute.

Wales looked for a response through their replacements and they almost found it as Hadleigh Parkes looked to have scored. However, the try was ruled out as Ireland benefited from a fumble in the act of scoring in the second game in a row.

The game looked to be turning in Wales favour but they just didn’t seem to have the belief up front as Ireland looked to their scrum to clear their lines and with a bit of ambition in the back line they were able to make their chances count.

Larmour is best going forward on the counter and after quick hands across the back line the fullback was on hand to send Conway over out wide for Ireland’s bonus point try with five minutes remaining.

Game set and match to Ireland with the score at 24 – 7 though here was still time for CJ Stander to be carded and Justin Tipuric to score a consolation try, converted by Leigh Halfpenny, as Wales piled on the pressure in the closing minutes.

IRELAND: Jordan Larmour, Andrew Conway, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan, Peter O’Mahony, Josh vd Flier, CJ Stander. Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Devin Toner, Max Deegan, John Cooney, Ross Byrne, Keith Earls

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Nick Tompkins, Hadleigh Parkes, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams, Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones, Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Adam Beard, Ross Moriarty, Gareth Davies, Owen Williams, Johnny McNicholl