Wales women’s rugby league side are one step closer to the World Cup after a 28-10 win over Ireland at Cardiff University Sports Park.

The win in this first of two qualifiers means Wales require just one more win, against the Netherlands in June to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup finals.

Two tries from captain Bethan Dainton along with scores from Georgia Taylor, Kathryn Salter and Rhi Parker for Wales saw them take the win whilst Grace Tutty and Mairead Quinn responded from the visitors.

Ireland’s side featured nine debutants whilst Wales had three of their own.

Wales took the lead after 10 minutes when Shaunni Davies’ steepling kick was fumbled in the Irish backfield with Leeds Rhinos’ Dainton hitting a brilliant line to crash over.

To their credit, Ireland responded well, some brilliant offloading in midfield getting them close and after Quinn was held up over line on the next play of the ball they fed the ball right and a pinpoint crossfield kick found Tutty to dot down in the corner.

Wales responded immediately however, a brilliant offload from Dainton after a passing move found Taylor who dove in wide on the right.

With eight minutes remaining in the half, Rhi Parker forced a turnover in midfield and a couple of plays later, Brittony Price got on the outside and offloaded to Salter who bullied her way over the line.

With Salter adding her third conversion, that’s how the scores finished at half time with Wales leading 18-4.

Wales began the second half on fire and looked certain to score but for some brilliant Irish last-ditch defence holding them out just short of the line despite repeat sets.

Ireland then had a chance of their own but four or five Welsh defenders combined to hold up the opposition over the line, a set each later and captain Dainton took the game by the scruff of the neck once more.

Taking the ball at first receiver short of the hallway line, Dainton burst between would be tacklers from the play of the ball, before fending off the fullback and rounding the cover to score underneath the posts.

For the next 20 minutes, Wales were forced into defensive duties and the visitors came close but Tutty’s hack on dribbled into touch when she looked destined to score.

Eventually Ireland received their just rewards as Quinn forced her way over from barely five metres giving Storm Cobain the easiest of conversions from under the sticks.

That looked as though it would b the final try of the game but there was still time for one more with Dainton once again to the fore, bursting down the right hand side, fending players off left and right before offloading to Parker to score in the corner.

Next up will be Netherlands on 22^nd of June away from home, after they hammered Italy 56-6 in a play-off.

Wales will get a chance to watch their opponents when Ireland host the Netherlands next month.

Featured image – Penallta Photographics