Ireland scored five tries as they beat Wales 35-21 in a Rugby World Cup warm-up game at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon.
Ireland nearly took first blood as they broke their way downfield only for Keith Earls and Eoin Reddan to get in each other's way and spill the ball. From the resulting scrum though, Ireland took advantage of a loose ball and Jamie Heaslip, becoming the most-capped back-row in Irish Test history, strolled over untouched. Paddy Jackson failed to add the conversion.
Jackson landed a penalty to take Ireland's lead to eight, before Earls was held up over the line after some good footwork helped him find a gap in the Welsh defence. Ireland scored again from the following scrum though after Darren Cave hit a short line against the grain. Jackson this time added the conversion.
Ireland got their third of the afternoon after Andrew Trimble smashed Eli Walker and Earls picked up the loose ball to run in unopposed. Jackson added the extras again before landing a penalty after Wales had been penalised for offside.
Wales finally got on the scoreboard just before half time when Richard Hibbard went over after a well-worked lineout, and James Hook kicked the conversion.
Welsh Debutant Ross Moriarty received a yellow card in the second half for a swinging arm, before Simon Zebo crashed over for Ireland after a rolling maul. Jackson missed the conversion as well as the next one after Felix Jones crossed the line following some good Irish link-up play.
Chris Henry received a yellow card for Ireland after a number of team infringements before Justin Tipuric finished off a Welsh team try. Debutant Gareth Anscombe added the extra two points before Alex Cuthbert crossed for another consolation try on 80 minutes, and Anscombe again added the conversion.
Ireland's next game will be against Scotland on August 15 at Lansdowne Road.
Calum Gillon
