The 100th international between Wales and Ireland at any level will go down as a memorable one for the home side.

Defences were on top for much of the game, especially for the Welsh, and it was only the fourth time that Wales had shut out their opponents at senior men's international level.

And Wales’ new head coach Paul Berry was delighted about how events panned out.

“They say defences win games,” he said. “We were under pressure in that game for loads of periods of time. But credit to our lads, they kept turning up. There’s some really tough men in there who want to compete and work hard for each other.”

Wales fielded six debutants and Ireland four, as both sides now look towards the 2030 World Cup, and it was Wales who took the lead from their first attack, scoring on three minutes, after birthday boy 20-year-old Lloyd McEwan-Peters dived over from short range for a try on his senior men's debut. New captain Matty Fozard converted.

They kept attacking and nearly increased the lead on 10 minutes. Finlay Yates was held up over the line, then Denive Balmforth had a try chalked off for a double movement.

Wales' indiscipline was giving Ireland opportunities to hit back, but the home side's defence stood firm. It was only when the heavens opened and Wales made an error thanks to the now slippery ball, that Ireland made metres from a scrum. Oliver Whitford had the best opportunity to score from that, but couldn't quite ground as he reached out from a grubber, and Wales went into half-time 4-0 up.

Wales extended their lead on the hour. Max Clarke slipped the ball to Rhodri Lloyd who scored a try on this, his final professional rugby league match. Fozard converted.

Straight away, Wales got their third. From an Ireland error, Wales won a scrum, and the result was Connor Davies diving home. Fozard converted again.

Then with eight minutes to go, Max Clarke dived over for Wales' fourth try. Lloyd converted for his first ever professional goal.

Ireland head coach Ged Corcoran said: “I’m very disappointed. I didn’t see this coming. We’ve prepared well as a part-time team for the last two weeks. Gutted as a team and a country.”