MONMOUTH's Jordan Howells helped Wales secure victory in the opening game of the Student Four Nations, after dominating the first half against hosts Ireland.

The centre, who has played for Monmouth Town Rugby Club and now lines up for Ebbw Vale Rugby Football Club, qualifies for the Welsh squad as he is studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

The game was played in Bray at the oldest football ground on the Emerald Isle, but it was the first time the stadium had hosted Rugby League matches.

Wales took the lead on seven minutes charging down an Irish kick with Matt Davies running in under the posts and Marcus Webb converting.

A Joe Bridger try five minutes later went unconverted, then from kick-off Marcus Webb ran through, converting his own try to make the score 16-0 in a quarter of an hour.

However the expected rout didn't happen as the remainder of the first half saw no further scoring.

It didn't take long for Wales to open the second half scoring with George Giles going over for an early try which went unconverted to make the score 20-0.

Ireland fought back with two tries in the space of five second half minutes, first through Shane Kelly then Connor Phillips. James Kelly converted both to bring the score back to 20-12.

But in a carbon copy of the first half, the final 25 minutes saw no further scores and Wales held out.