SIX NATIONS: Ireland lose opener

Ireland lose to Wales
Author: Nigel GouldPublished 8th Feb 2021

Ireland have been beaten 21-16 by Wales in their opening fixture of this year's rugby union Six Nations.

They played much of the game with 14 players after flanker Peter O'Mahony was sent off after just quarter of an hour.

Billy Burns INPHO

Ulster's Billy Burns (pictured above) was left to rue a late penalty opportunity when he kicked the ball dead, instead of finding touch.

Munster forward O'Mahony was sent off following a reckless shoulder-led hit to Wales prop Tomas Francis' head, but Ireland still led until Rees-Zammit struck.

Ireland also lost lock James Ryan to a failed head injury assessment, and skipper Johnny Sexton's afternoon ended 11 minutes from time when Wales flanker Justin Tipuric's knee accidentally caught him in the head.

Head Coach, Andy Farrell, said they will have to be at their very best if they are to get anything out of the competition.

"There's a lot of us in the group who've been involved in Six Nations to know that a Six Nations is not won on the first day," he said.

"From here on in we've got to be clinical, more clinical and give the performances of our lives to be in the battle to win the competition.

"It's as simple as that."