Welsh dominate first half, but Ireland lead by five
Ireland 10 Wales 5
Ireland claimed a 10-5 lead at half-time of their RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales, despite struggling for much of the opening 40 minutes.
Jonathan Davies touched down in the left corner to give Wales a lead they richly deserved, with the otherwise superb Rhys Priestland failing to land a conversion and penalty.
But Ireland responded late in the half with a try through Rory Best converted by Jonathan Sexton, who also slotted a penalty.
Rhys Priestland and Jamie Roberts started Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland at Aviva Stadium despite concerns over their fitness.
Priestland and Roberts, two stars of the World Cup, were troubled by knee problems but were given the green light to play on Friday.
Sam Warburton led the side but Wales, second favourites to win the Six Nations, were missing Dan Lydiate, Gethin Jenkins, Luke Charteris and Alun Wyn Jones to injury.
Ireland chose Fergus McFadden to replace Brian O’Driscoll at outside centre after Keith Earls was withdrawn from the match on Friday due to personal reasons.
Fly-half Jonathan Sexton was preferred ahead of Ronan O’Gara as the Irish sought to avenge their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Wales.
Sharp footwork from Leigh Halfpenny swept Wales out of trouble in the opening minute after Sexton had failed to find touch.
The Ireland fly-half atoned by landing a long-range penalty, but his side soon came under heavy pressure as Bradley Davies broke free from a line-out.
Wales pounded away when Davies was eventually tackled with George North, Mike Phillips and Roberts all charging within inches of the line.
Timely intervention from wing Tommy Bowe prevented a certain try and it was only the strength of Donncha O’Callaghan and Rory Best that stopped Ryan Jones touching down.
Wales continued to take the game to their dazed opponents and deservedly surged ahead in the 14th minute.
Priestland dispelled any fears over his fitness by taking two defenders out with a decisive run before slipping a wonderful offload to Jonathan Davies.
Bowe was absent as he had been sucked into tackling Priestland rather than staying with Davies and the Wales centre capitalised by diving in at the corner.
Priestland missed the conversion and then struck the left upright with the easiest of penalties.
Ireland’s provinces have excelled in the Heineken Cup this season, but the national side was struggling to make any impression on Wales.
Miscommunication resulted in Sexton kicking the ball away aimlessly, but the Leinster back came to his team’s rescue by sweeping up with North threatening.
He then pulled a routine penalty kick wide of the right post as Ireland sought to reclaim the lead.
Robust defending kept the Irish competitive, but Wales continued to be the dominant force until the closing six minutes of the half when the home side burst into life.
The Welsh defence was stretched by wave after wave of attacks, creating space down the left that was brilliantly exploited by Bowe in the 37th minute.
Bowe had come off his right wing to storm down the opposite flank, selling a dummy before supplying the scoring pass to Best with Sexton converting.
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