Player ratings: Sad reality
OPINION: Ireland beat Wales 34-10 in their Six Nations match in Cardiff and in truth, a valiant second-half fightback never looked like being enough.
PA news agency rates the Welsh players!
15. Liam Williams – 7/10
Scored a try and was one of Wales’ best players, although he blotted his copybook through a second-half yellow card.
14. Josh Adams – 5
A quiet all-round game for the Cardiff wing as Wales suffered a comprehensive home defeat.
13. George North – 6
Seemed to suffer a couple of leg knocks during the second half, although he kept battling away.
12. Joe Hawkins – 7
Only the Ospreys centre’s second cap, yet it was another assured display by a player with a bright future.
11. Rio Dyer – 8
Wales’ major attacking threat, he was a danger every time he received the ball in threatening positions.
10. Dan Biggar – 6
A typically resilient effort from the Wales fly-half, but his efforts could not spark the home side. 6
9. Tomos Williams – 5
The scrum-half was unable to make his mark on the contest, spending too much of it on the back foot.
1. Gareth Thomas – 6
The Ospreys prop shone defensively, although it proved a tough afternoon for Wales in the set-piece. 6
2. Ken Owens – 5
He Captained Wales for the first time but his team’s lineout failed to function, particularly during a miserable first-half display. 5
3. Tomas Francis – 5
Went off at half-time after appearing to suffer an injury, and he was replaced by Dillon Lewis. 5
4. Adam Beard – 5
Wales’ lineout unravelled from an early stage, and he could make little impact.
5. Alun Wyn Jones – 5
The 37-year-old gave it everything, but it was not his nor Wales’ day.
6. Jac Morgan – 7
Went close to scoring a first-half try, and he made some impressive contributions. 7
7. Justin Tipuric – 6
Could do little to halt Ireland’s first-half dominance as the visiting back-row excelled.
8. Taulupe Faletau – 6
Strong defensively but the Welsh back row was bossed at key times by Ireland’s breakaway trio.
Replacements – 6: Wales head coach Warren Gatland rang the changes after half-time, with flanker Tommy Reffell and wing Alex Cuthbert showing up strongly.