Some sustained Welsh pressure allowed Evans to stroke two penalties, before a fine break by fly-half Naomi Thomas sent Evans over for an unconverted try.

With an 11-0 lead at half-time, Wales then had Louise Horgan sin-binned.

Ireland took advantage and Geri Healy crashed over from a maul, Sarah-Jane Belton converting, but a third penalty from Evans kept Wales out of reach.

It was a fine way for Wales captain Mel Berry to celebrate winning her 50th cap.

Ireland: Joanne O Sullivan (Lichfield); Nuala Ni Chaidhan (Galwegians), Lynne Cantwell (Trojans), Patrique Kelly (UL Bohemians), Suzanne Fleming (Cooke); Sarah-Jane Belton (UL Bohemians, capt), Tania Rosser (Blackrock); Fiona Coughlan (UL Bohemians), Jean Lonergan (Shannon), Marie Barrett (Highfield), Caroline Mahon (UL-Bohemians), Germaine Healy (Blackrock), Orla Brennan (Blackrock), Rachel Boyd (Cooke), Joy Neville (Shannon).
Replacements: Yvonne Nolan (Backrock), Gillian McAlister (Cooke), Rosie Foley (Shannon), Sinead Ryan (Navan), Amanda Greensmith (Shannon), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemian), Grace Davitt (Blackrock).

Wales: Non Evans (Tylorstown/Clifton); Louise Rickard (Saracens), Rhian Williams (Wasps), Clare Flowers (Tylorstown/Clifton), Rachel Poolman (UWIC); Naomi Thomas (Tylorstown/Clifton), Mel Berry (Worcester, capt); Amy Broadstock (Llandaff North), Rhian Bowden (UWIC), Louise Horgan (Saracens), Liza Burgess (Tylorstown/Clifton), Rachel Brown (Waterloo), Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins), Jamie Kift (Tylorstown/Clifton), Kylie Wilson (Waterloo).
Replacements: Claire Horgan (Waterloo), Jenny Davies (Caernarfon), Vikki Gaylard (Llandaff North), Claire Donovan (Saracens), Amy Day (UWIC), Elen Evans (Dolgellau), Philippa Tuttiett (UWIC).