Rugby World Cup: Ireland beat Wales 19-10 in final warm-up game
Our partners utilize technology, such as cookies, and accumulate data that is browsing to personalise the information and advertising exhibited to you and to provide you with the very best online experience.
Please let us know whether you agree.
By Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI in Aviva Stadium
After beating Warren Gatland’s side 19-10 at 26, ireland will travel to Japan for the World Cup on the back of two wins over Wales.
Hadleigh Parkes and rob Kearney traded first-half attempts from Tadhg Furlong before scores and James Ryan set the hosts after the rest in command.
After failing a Head Injury Assessment welsh fly-half Rhys Patchell was substituted.
Injury also compelled off Keith Earls and Ireland’s Cian Healy.
The game gave the Aviva Stadium crowd the opportunity to say farewell to the duo of head coach Joe Schmidt and captain Rory greatest.
Together with warm-ups now complete, either side will probably travel to Japan next week with Ireland starting their campaign against Scotland on 22 September and Wales facing Georgia a day later.
Having fielded a weakened team for the assembly of last week Gatland returned to for its last warm-up game as Wales began at a furious pace.
The traffic could have led by double scores to Leigh Halfpenny to independently miss a regulation penalty from latching onto the kick of Halfpenny before the timely interception of Kearney refused George North.
Meanwhile, the hosts continued to fight at the set-piece as Best, in his final home appearance before retiring, misfired out of his initial two line-outs.
Ireland’s third largest line-out arrived as they entered the Wales 22 to the very first time with James Ryan amassing the throw as Kearney crossed until the ball was moved left through the stages.
Since the 2018 World Rugby player of this season made his first appearance of those warm-up games Together with Ireland’s crucial World Cup opener against Scotland two weeks off, all eyes were on Johnny Sexton.
After his engagement saw the veteran fly-half send his restart straight Sexton settled to conduct Ireland’s assault with efficiency.
It had been Sexton’s Leinster team-mate Henshaw, playing his first game in February, who left the largest impact because the opening Six Nations defeat by England of Ireland.
With questions hanging through the Irish defence following their 42-point thrashing against England, Henshaw’s return prompted further afield his significance to Schmidt’s gameplan, and a vastly improved screen in that regard.
It had been the outstanding try-line tackle that refused Dan Biggar Sexton’s pass had been picked off by a certain score after the replacement fly-half halfway of Henshaw.
However, Henshaw was helpless to prevent Parkes after the Scarlets centre chose a brilliant line to rip through the defence of Ireland, out of bulldozing his way around just moments later.
Ireland were the dominant force following the restart, establishing camp inside the Welsh 22, where it was Wales who controlled the speed of the game.
Until Ryan did the same eight minutes later to give the hosts a lead, prop Furlong drove over from short range after a spell of pressure.
Wales, could not maintain their punishment count and by contrast, fought to keep hold of the ball.
Indeed referee Mathieu Raynal eventually lost patience, delivering replacement lock Adam Beard to the bin.
Either side will bemoan losing players to injury prior to the tournament in Japan has started Even though the advantages of a warm-up game played Test match intensity are clear to see.
Patchell, that edged out Jarrod Evans for Wales’ backup fly-half spot after an inspired performance off the bench last week, didn’t return from an initial half Head Injury Assessment having obtained significant hits.
Until Earls limped off midway through the second half after squirt Healy was eliminated at half-time following a HIA ireland too lost out.
Ireland: Kearney; Larmour, Henshaw, Aki, Earls; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best (c), Furlong, Ryan, Kleyn, Stander, van der Flier, Conan.
Replacements: Cronin, Kilcoyne, Porter Ruddock Carty, Ringrose
Wales: Halfpenny; North, Davies, Parkes, Adams; Patchell, Williams; Jones, Dee, Tomas Francis, Ball, Jones (c), Wainwright, Tipuric, Moriarty.
Replacements: Liam Williams, Ken Owens, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Adam Beard, Josh Navidi, Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar.
Get headlines and scores sent to your phone, and find out where to locate us on online.
The way to get into rugby union – through the age groups up to the 15-player match or attempt rugby sevens, which made its Olympic debut in 2016.
Analysis enjoy the best discussion and interviews with BBC 5 live and World Service and our rugby union comment lists.
Read more: http://sscommcorp.com/mma-odds-and-ends-for-wednesday-koscheck-injury-delays-bellator-debut-newton-rematches-vassell-at-bellator-149/
