The Wales wing was winning her 99th cap and is all set to join Gareth Thomas in the centurions club next weekend when Wales face France at Taffs Well (Saturday March 15th, kick-off 1pm), in a game that will determine who finish as the runners up to England in the Six Nations Championship.

The Irish got off to a flying start with two tries from close range, driving line-outs that pushed them into a 10-3 lead.

Playing with the strong wind their fiery pack posed plenty of problems for Wales and it took the boot of Non Evans to steady the ship with three first-half penalties.

Evans also converted Rickard's try to make it 16-10 to the visitors at the break and with the wind behind them in the second half Wales created plenty of chances, but failed to convert them.

In the end it took a fourth Evans penalty strike in injury time to make the game safe and add the Irish scalp to those of Italy and Scotland.

The only worry for Wales as they prepare to meet the French next week is a knee injury to prop Jenny Davies, which looked serious enough to make her a doubt for the all-important game.