IT WAS a nail-biting afternoon for fans today as Wales opened their Six Nation campaign against Ireland.

Both levels of the Queens Hotel pub in Bridge Street, Newport, was packed with red shirts as Wales fans turned out to watch the match.

Martin Pugh, who was at the Wetherspoons pub with his wife Maggie, said: “Today both teams played well, the Irish and the Welsh. It was very tight.

“Considering yesterday’s game, it was the best match so far. It’s been rather scrappy so far.

“But as far as this match goes, it was anyone’s game. It was a good game, the draw was acceptable. But both sides could have done better.”

Rebecca Cooper, who was also at the Queens, said the atmosphere was quite happy.

She said: “We always go out for the rugby. And there’s never any bad feeling when we play the Irish.

“Come for the English match in a week’s time and it’ll be a different story, we will be ready to kill someone.”

After the game ended, pub regular Heather Batty said: “It was brilliant. The teams were very well matched, the pair of them. It was a pity Wales didn’t win but never mind.”

Elsewhere in Gwent, a Monmouthshire brewery celebrated the start Six Nations by launching a new tipple.

Kingstone Brewery in Tintern have called their new chestnut brown session ale Wye Delilah - combining their riverside location with Tom Jones' Welsh rugby anthem.

To make the new arrival extra special, a donation of 10p per pint or bottle will be made to The Welsh Charitables RFC, which raises money for worthy local causes through the medium of rugby while also helping to develop young Welsh rugby talent.

But drinkers beware - the catchline for Wye Delilah is "a beer to lose your hair for".