Ireland Win in Wales

The match was delayed by over five minutes as the Munster flanker received lengthy treatment before being stretchered off in some distress with a nasty-looking leg injury.

For the first half hour it was one of the more abject displays I have seen from a Welsh team.

“There are players there who haven’t had much opportunity in recent years, so it is a very good opportunity to get out there and show they can combine well”. I’m disappointed with the way we played particularly the amount of turnovers we gave way in that first half.

Keith Earls made a try-scoring return to worldwide rugby and also picked up the man-of-the-match award as he helped Ireland to secure an impressive 35-21 victory over Wales this afternoon.

Yet Ross, born in Manchester, twice won the Under-20 World Cup with England, including the 2013 final against Wales.

The green tide continued when centre Keith Earls scampered away after a thumping hit by Andrew Trimble on Walker had dislodged the ball and it needed some desperate defence from skipper Williams and Walker to deny Ireland a fourth of the half.

It will be a shock if more than three players that finished the game – Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric and possibly Alex Cuthbert if Liam Williams isn’t fit – are in the matchday squad when Wales take on England in their second game of the World Cup on September 26.

Wales famously beat Ireland 23-16 in a memorable RBS 6 Nations encounter earlier this year but an experimental team were no match for their ruthless opponents at the Millennium Stadium this time around.

Wales did look unsafe in open play and Tipuric combined with Tyler Morgan and Hallam Amos for a wonderful score.

There was an easy route for an excuse because they can just say it was the first game of the season. Cardiff Blues duo Gareth Anscombe and Kristian Dacey made it six new caps on the day – the biggest number in a game in Cardiff since Wales met the All Blacks in 1967.

Paddy Jackson has been given a chance to impress in the No. 10 jersey.

Wales vs Ireland pleasant – live: who are able to lay Worldcup gun down?

There could not have been a greater contrast as Ireland’s more streetwise side took advantage of gaps around the fringes of the Welsh rucks and scrums, with Eoin Redden, Heaslip and Earls in particular showing the benefit of their experience.

“It is about the control element for Mike and the accuracy in his kicking game”.

Jackson narrowly missed both conversions from near the touchline and, as Schmidt began the process of emptying the bench, Ireland lost replacement Chris Henry to a yellow card as the flanker tried desperately to relieve the pressure on the visitors’ line.

Ireland: 15-Felix Jones, 14-Andrew Trimble, 13-Keith Earls, 12-Darren Cave, 11-Fergus McFadden, 10-Paddy Jackson, 9-Eoin Reddan, 8-Jamie Heaslip (captain), 7-Tommy O’Donnell, 6-Jordi Murphy, 5-Donnacha Ryan, 4-Iain Henderson, 3-Mike Ross, 2-Richardt Strauss, 1-Jack McGrath.