WOMEN'S RUGBY: Ireland 18 Wales 3IRELAND RECORDED a famous victory over the Triple Crown holders in what was a bitterly cold night at the Ashbourne Rugby Club in Co Meath.

Inspired by fullback Niamh Briggs, the Irish played an expansive game while the visitors struggled to break through a resolute Irish defence. However, the Welsh opened the scoring with a Non Evans penalty, but Briggs raced half the length of the pitch to score a try in the 16th minute.

Ireland registered their second try when scrumhalf Tania Rosser scored, while Briggs converteda 70th minute penalty. And then in the dying seconds, Joy Neville went over for a pushover try.

IRELAND: N Briggs; A Davis, J O'Sullivan, G Davitt, A Miller; H Brosnan, T Rosser; F Coghlan, C Fanning, L Day, K OLoughlin, ML Reilly, O Brennan, C Molloy, J Neville. Replacements: L Austin for Day (60 mins), N Stapleton for Davis (66 mins), S Ryan for Molan (70 mins).

WALES: N Evans; A Youngs, C Redman, N Thomas, N Ovans; A Thomas, A Day; C Edwards, R Bowden, J Davies, G Hallett, R Taylor, C Nicholas, J Kift, M Berry.

Referee: E Gauzins (France).