Matt Sherratt’s new look Welsh side restored some much needed pride and got the packed Principality Stadium raising the roof as they pushed Ireland to the limit in a Guinness Six Nations 27-18 defeat.
It meant a 14th Triple Crown for Simon Easterby’s side, but the game hung in the balance right to the death as Ellis Mee had a possible try ruled out in the 73rd minute that could have given Wales a touchline conversion attempt to regain the lead.
But it was a performance full of potential from a team showing 10 changes, two of them positional, to the team that had lost in Italy two weeks earlier. They now have to face Scotland at Murrayfield and England at home to complete their championship.
Dragons RFC hooker Elliot Dee started the game with Aaron Wainwright and Rhodri Williams named as replacements.
