Replays show Wales 'scored a second try' against Ireland but referee didn't spot it

Warren Gatland's side were on the wrong side of a 31-7 scoreline but could have cut the deficit late on

Wales came away from Dublin on Saturday with plenty of credit, but ultimately Ireland were too strong for Warren Gatland's plucky young side.

The visitors certainly didn't roll over for the Grand Slam hopefuls as they showed huge character to stay in the game until the final few minutes at the Aviva Stadium. There was a tremendous defensive performance across the board as Wales kept within 10 points of Andy Farrell's side with less than quarter of an hour to play, only to end up on the wrong side of a 31-7 scoreline.

Despite some promising moves, there was less joy in attack, with Wales' only score coming courtesy of a penalty try moments into the second half. Ireland, on the other hand, broke through the visitor's rigid defence after 20 minutes, with Dan Sheehan opening the scoring before James Lowe added a second try.

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Bundee Aki had a try disallowed on the hour mark but, as Wales tired, Ciaran Frawley crossed before Tadhg Beirne crashed over to seal a bonus-point win with the clock in the red. Join WalesOnline Rugby's new WhatsApp Channel here.

That's not to say Wales didn't come close to doubling their lead, however, as they found themselves camped on the Irish tryline on more than one occasion. But now some eagle-eyed viewers are claiming Gatland's side DID in fact score a second try, only for referee Andrea Piardi to miss it.

The moment in question came in the 76th minute of the game, not long after Crawley had made it 24-7, as Wales neared the hosts' line after a lengthy passage of pick-and-go play. Tommy Reffell and Mackenzie Martin were among those who dived for the line, but it was Aaron Wainwright who got closest as he leapt forward with the ball in hand.

While Ireland had plenty of men behind the ball, it looked as if the Welsh back row had done enough with the ball seemingly being placed on the try-line. However, play went on, with Piardi declaring that it had fallen just short.

"The referee said it was short," said ITV commentator Miles Harrison. "It looked like it might have clipped it, but again the referee was well-positioned. The best to see it, really."

But on closer inspection, it looks as though Wales may well have been denied a try with replays showing the ball grazing the line after Wainwright's surge forward. Of course, any part of the ball just needs to be touched down on the line by a player's hand(s), arm(s) or the front of their body from their waist to their neck in order to count.

"Was I seeing things or did Aaron Wainwright actually get the ball down on to the try line during that long pick-and-go passage in the second half?" asked rugby journalist Simon Thomas on X. "Yes it looked like it," said one. "Although he didn’t make a fuss."

"I saw that too," added another, while a third added: "Think the ref could clearly see it and called it short." Another fan said simply: "It touched the line. Try."

In the end, however, such a decision was unlikely to make a difference to the result, with Ireland already 17 points clear with a few minutes to go before Beirne made sure of it. No such controversy here as we saw at Murrayfield a fortnight ago, but certainly another talking point from a game that had a few memorable moments.