Experience key as Ireland hold on to beat Wales in rugby friendly

Keith Earls of Ireland breaks with the ball to score a try during a friendly against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. David Rogers / Getty Images

Ireland enjoyed a satisfying first warm-up for the Rugby World Cup by drubbing Wales 35-21 under the Millennium Stadium roof on Saturday.

Ireland ran in three tries in the first half-hour, led 25-7 at half time, and 35-7 with 10 minutes to go.

Two late tries gave Wales some credibility on the scoreboard, but by then Ireland’s intensity had dropped and all of their reserves were on.

There was a late worry for the Irish when flanker Tommy O’Donnell fell awkwardly after being tackled and had to be taken off on a stretcher.

But Wales were left with most of the concern, as Ireland dominated the set pieces and, understandably, showed more fluency.

“Ireland had a lot of experience and that showed in the end,” home captain Scott Williams said. “I was happy with the way we finished the game.

“It is the first time we have played together as a team and it was a big occasion.”

Wearing their new World Cup kit for the first time, the Welsh looked anything but World Cup ready.

Captain Jamie Heaslip, becoming Ireland’s most capped back-rower in his 73rd Test, strolled over in the eighth minute after a turnover by Wales midfielder Scott Williams.

Paddy Jackson added a penalty, and then followed converted tries by inside centre Darren Cave, off a scrum move, and outside centre Keith Earls, who was playing his first Test in two years, from a turnover by Wales winger Eli Walker. Earls was playing his first test in two years.

Wales hooker Richard Hibbard scored a try off a lineout on half time, when coach Warren Gatland decided to substitute in only No 8 Taulupe Faletau. Faletau was soon leading a two-man back row after debutant flanker Ross Moriarty was sin-binned for a swinging arm on Irish wing Simon Zebo.

Moriarty’s absence was exploited with a try to Zebo down the blindside. Heaslip won turnover ruck ball in midfield and Ireland worked an overlap for full-back Felix Jones to score their fifth try.

Chris Henry was yellow carded five minutes later, but. Still, Wales could not exploit the man advantage.

Not until late did Wales come alive again, when flanker Justin Tipuric scored from neat passes with centre Tyler Morgan, before Alex Cuthbert also went over for from a cut-out pass Gareth Anscombe, who made the conversion from the sideline.

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