Although Wales had been beaten heavily by England in the opening game of the tournament, a morale-boosting win over Scotland had lifted Welsh hopes of a victory over Ireland.

The match was played on a boggy pitch at Ballynafeigh, with the Irish winning by a single penalty goal.

The opening game of the 1896 Home Nations Championship saw Wales suffer a terrible seven try to nil defeat away to England.

Five new caps were brought into the team for the second match of the Championship, with Hutchinson regaining his place as one of only three returning players in the pack.

Under the captaincy of Arthur 'Monkey' Gould, the Welsh beat Scotland 6–0 at the Cardiff Arms Park, and Hutchinson was brought back for the final game of the series away to Ireland.