IRELAND dominated Wales 34-10 to pick up a huge bonus point triumph in the Six Nations opener in Cardiff.
Attention now turns to Twickenham with England playing Scotland in a Calcutta Cup clash to conclude the day.
- Result: Wales 10-34 Ireland
- Wales XV: 15 Williams; 14 Adams, 13 North, 12 Hawkins, 11 Dyer; 10 Biggar, 9 Williams; 1 Thomas, 2 Owens (capt), 3 Francis, 4 Beard, 5 Wyn Jones, 6 Morgan, 7 Tipuric, 8 Faletau
- Ireland XV: 15 Keenan; 14 Hansen, 13 Ringrose, 12 McCloskey, 11 Lowe; 10 Sexton (capt), 9 Gibson-Park; 1 Porter, 2 Sheehan, 3 Bealham, 4 Beirne, 5 Ryan, 6 O'Mahony, 7 Van der Flier, 8 Doris
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- Kieran Davies
FT: Wales 10-34 Ireland
A despondent Principality Stadium sends fans spilling out into the streets of Cardiff.
What they had hoped was going to be successful campaign as a build up to the World Cup, has got off to a nightmare start.
For Andy Farrell's side, it is business as usual.
That's why they're ranked the number 1 in the world.
England take on Scotland in the late game today, as they face off for the Calcutta Cup.
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- Kieran Davies
FT: Wales 10-34 Ireland
The referee blows the whistle as Ireland celebrate a comprehensive victory in Cardiff.
Andy Farrell's side were the better team all over the pitch.
Apart from a brief period in the second half, Wales struggled to match their opponents from across the channel.
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Wales 10-34 Ireland
80. Ireland drive forward sensing more points with us having past the 80 minute mark.
Wales will no doubt take the earliest opportunity.
A crossfield kick to Mack Hansen seems like another try is inevitable but a great tackle takes him into touch, which prompts the final whistle.
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Wales 10-34 Ireland
78. This has been a comprehensive victory for Andy Farrell's side.
With the World Cup in France to look forward to, Ireland are coming into form just at the right time.
We are going through the motions as we head towards the final whistle.
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Wales 10-34 Ireland
76. Hugo Keenan is awarded the man of the match award.
You could have picked any of a number of Irish players in all fairness.
Well deserved.
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Wales 10-34 Ireland
74. Ireland go over the line to get their bonus point.
Byrne duly converts for the visitors.
That really has knocked any remaining wind out of the Welsh sails.
Credit: PA - Kieran Davies
Try – Josh van de Flier (Ireland)
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
72. Just as Ireland look set to go over the line again Adams puts a big hit in to prevent the score.
Ireland are within inches of the Irish line.
They have a penalty advantage as well.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
70. Johnny Sexton comes off for Ross Byrne.
Wales are trying to work through the phases but are running into a wall of green each time.
That could be Sexton's last appearance at the Principality Stadium, what a player the Ireland captain is.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
68. Dan Biggar comes off for Owen Williams.
Wales win the lineout on the Irish twenty-two.
Webb feeds North but some great defensive work from Sexton wins Ireland the penalty.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland – Williams yellow card
66. TMO is checking a shoulder from Liam Williams to Johnny Sexton.
Although there is no definite intent, the only option is to show the Welshman a card.
Wales are down to 14-men and we witness the first yellow card of the tournament.
Credit: Sportsfile - Kieran Davies
Wales 10-27 Ireland
64. Ireland are camped out on their own five-yard line as Wales have another line-out.
Yet again Wales let themselves down as the Irish leap and claim the ball.
There are plenty of areas Gatland's side need to improve on.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
62. Ireland start to put some pressure back on Wales.
They seem to have realised that their best form of defence is attack.
Wales punt the ball downfield stretching Ireland as they backtrack to regain the ball.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
60. Sheehan does well to find Lowe but as he knocks the ball down the touchline, he is taken out.
A penalty is awarded to Ireland but they are asking TMO to have a look at that phase of play.
Johnny Sexton finds touch with the resulting penalty.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
58. Sexton tried a chip-kick there was brilliantly intercepted by Dyer.
He has been the one shining light for Wales today.
Mack Hansen did well getting back to cover, stopping the Welsh winger in his tracks.
Credit: PA
- Kieran Davies
Wales 10-27 Ireland
56. Ireland try to find touch and Rio Dyer does brilliantly to keep it in play.
He tries to sprint down the line but the Irish get numbers to cover.
Biggar drives forward looking to set Wales off on the attack again.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
54. Wales break with Liam Williams but he doesn't seem to have the gas in the tank to get away from the Ireland players.
He offloads it and then the hosts try and spread the ball wide.
The pass outside to Dyer is too high and he cannot keep it in play.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
52. Ireland have the scrum, metres from their own try-line.
The ball is passed back to Lowe who hooks the ball clear.
Wales come straight back at them as Biggar kicks into the corner, Ireland return the favour.
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Wales 10-27 Ireland
50. It seems to be a complete role-reversal here.
Now it is Ireland who are giving away penalties all of the time.
Wales win the lineout near the Irish corner.
As the hosts drive towards the line, a penalty is awarded to Ireland.
Credit: Sportsfile - Kieran Davies
Wales 10-27 Ireland
48. Wales will be disappointed with that as they completely wasted the penalty restart.
After finding touch, the lineout was not straight and a penalty was awarded to Ireland.
Gatland's side need to be more focussed.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 10-27 Ireland
46. Dan Biggar sends the ball through the posts.
We are going to restart the game with a penalty for Wales.
Porter unnecessarily went down on the try scorer after he had grounded the ball.
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Try – Liam Williams (Wales)
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Wales 3-27 Ireland
44. Wales drive forward into the Irish twenty-two.
Ireland stand firm although the hosts have a penalty advantage.
Andrew Porter had strayed into an offside position.
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Wales 3-27 Ireland
42. Wales look to break down the right with Williams.
He looks to chip it over the player but it is intercepted.
The referee pulls it back for a Welsh penalty.
Meanwhile Biggar receives some treatment for a big hit he took.
- Kieran Davies
Wales 3-27 Ireland
41. Wales put the ball up in the air to try and test Ireland.
Good handling by the visitors as the draw the ball in.
The ball is returned to the Welsh half with Williams underneath it.
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