WALES Women suffered a third Six Nations defeat on the spin after being edged out 12-7 by Ireland at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park.

The Irish took the spoils thanks to a try by wing Hannah Tyrell after 62 minutes of a tight encounter.

The visitors had led 7-0 at the break thanks to loosehead Lindsey Peat's close-range score before Wales levelled through Shona Powell-Hughes.

However, they were unable to sneak in front and the Irish now go into final weekend for a Grand Slam showdown with the also unbeaten English.

There was a minute's applause before the game in tribute to Elli Norkett, the 20-year-old Wales international who did in a car crash a fortnight ago.

Rowland Phillips' side then set about trying to respond to defeats to England and Scotland and the pack started strongly only to come up against resolute Irish defence.

There was no score as the game moved into the final minute of the first half, when Ireland kicked a penalty to the left corner and turned their lineout into a try for prop Peat that was converted by fly-half Nora Stapleton.

Wales didn't take long to respond after the restart with a searing break by Dyddgu Hywel putting them in prime attacking position with Peat sin-binned after a series of offences.

The hosts took advantage with number eight Powell-Hughes powering over for a 45th-minute try that Robyn Wilkins improved.

Wales lost prop Amy Evans after she was yellow-carded for a high tackle and they were forced into scrambling defence.

Irish pressure eventually told with the ball worked wide to the right for Tyrell to cross for what proved to be the winner.

Wales will be keen to finish the Six Nations strongly against France in Brive on Saturday as they continue to prepare for the summer World Cup in Ireland.

Powell-Hughes said: "Playing on your own ground and not coming away with a win is always tough, but the girls dug deep and showed passion all the way through.

"With such a tough week, we performed but it didn't go our way, and we know we would have made Elli proud.

"We've all admitted it wasn't our best performance in Scotland, but we tried to put the wrongs right and I think we did that."