Ireland secured a nervy 22-17 win over Wales in the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, getting their Rugby World Cup preparation back on track.
Ireland were much-improved from last weekend’s dire outing against England with the experimental side impressing throughout the afternoon Cardiff.
It will have given Joe Schmidt plenty think about ahead of choosing his World Cup squad with many supposedly second choice players putting in eye-catching performances.
Jack Carty opened the scoring in the 12th minute putting Ireland 3-0 ahead before Jarrod Evans levelled with a penalty of his own.
Jacob Stockdale, sporting a new short haircut, went in for a try in the 18th minute after a great run from Andrew Conway before who put the Ulsterman in over in the corner.
Ireland had less possession in the first half but kept the pressure on a misfiring Wales side.
Stockdale bagged his second of the afternoon in the 29th minute after kicking ahead a loose ball and regathering to dot it down in the corner.
Wales were poor in defence and at half time had made 36 tackles, missing an alarming 20 tackles.
Joe Schmidt’s side picked up where they had left off in the second half and scored a penalty try in the 57th minute after an extended period of pressure deep in Welsh territory.
The introduction of Rhys Patchell at fly-half brought Wales to life and 21-year-old Owen Lane touched down in the corner after 64 minutes.
Wales almost got a second but a brilliant try-saving tackle on Elliot Dee from replacement Luke McGrath got Ireland out of jail.
Garry Ringrose was denied a try in the 70th minute after Bundee Aki was deemed to have made a tackle on Owen Watkin in the air.
Rhys Patchell kicked Wales deep into Irish territory from the resultant penalty and scored a try himself in the 75th minute as a result.
That left it Wales 17-22 Ireland with about three minutes remaining after Patchell added the conversion.
Ireland endured a nervy last few minutes but when Wales knocked on with a minute and a half remaining Schmidt’s men were able to hold on for the win.
Schmidt's side come up against Wales again next Saturday in Dublin in what will be their last game before the Rugby World Cup.
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