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Ireland were welcomed to Cardiff on Sunday to face Wales in the launch of their Guinness Six Nations campaign.<\/p>\nIreland were welcomed to Cardiff on Sunday to face Wales in the launch of their Guinness Six Nations campaign.<\/p>\n
Wales gained an early 3-0 lead, as full-back Leigh Halfpenny slotted a fifth-minute penalty in front of the posts.<\/p>\n
Wales flanker Dan Lydiate\u2019s first international appearance in more then two years ended prematurely after he was forced off by a knee injury. The 33-year-old went down as he prepared to challenge Keith Earls for the loose ball and, despite attempting to continue, had to replaced by Josh Navidi.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s task became considerably harder in the 14th minute when Peter O\u2019Mahony was dismissed for a high challenge on Tomas Francis.<\/p>\n
Flanker O\u2019Mahony powered in and caught Francis in the head with an elbow, prompting referee Wayne Barnes to consult the television match official before producing a red card.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, Halfpenny added another straightforward penalty to double Wales\u2019 lead to 6-0.<\/p>\n
Undeterred by losing a man, Ireland responded with a prolonged period of pressure, albeit without being able to find a way through a stubborn Welsh defense.<\/p>\n
Both teams were then forced into further reshuffles as Wales center Williams and Ireland lock James Ryan went off for head injury assessments.<\/p>\n
Ireland halved their deficit in the 29th minute after fly-half Sexton successfully converted a 35-metre penalty to make it 6-3.<\/p>\n
Ireland continued to be the dominant attacking force and levelled the scores at 6-6 five minutes before the break, courtesy of another Sexton penalty.<\/p>\n
Farrell\u2019s men then remained on the front foot and deservedly went into half-time 13-6 ahead courtesy of a converted try from Tadhg Beirne.<\/p>\n
Robbie Henshaw broke the Welsh line with a powerful surge and, after Van Der Flier was held up on the line, lock Beirne was on hand to power over, with Sexton adding the extras.<\/p>\n
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However, Wales seized on a string of mistakes from the visitors to cut the deficit early in the second half.<\/p>\n
Sloppy play caused Ireland to concede possession, allowing George North to burst past Iain Henderson and Lowe to touch down wide on the right.<\/p>\n
Halfpenny was unable to add the conversion, leaving Pivac\u2019s men 13-11 behind.<\/p>\n
Wales had pinned back their opponents since the restart and reclaimed the lead thanks to a second try of the afternoon, scored by Rees-Zammit.<\/p>\n
The wing produced a diving finish in the right corner and Halfpenny this time made no mistake with the kick to put his side 18-13 in front.<\/p>\n
Another penalty from Halfpenny gave Wales breathing space at 21-13 with 14 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n
Ireland were deprived of skipper Sexton for the final 10 minutes of the game after he was forced off for a head injury assessment.<\/p>\n
The 35-year-old was visibly frustrated as he trudged from the field having been caught in the head by the knee of Justin Tipuric.<\/p>\n
Ireland set up an intriguing finale courtesy of a Billy Burns penalty, leaving the score 21-16 with eight minutes remaining.<\/p>\n
Ireland, who twice comfortably beat their opponents in Dublin last year, travelled to the Principality Stadium having yet to record an away victory since the appointment of Andy Farrell.<\/p>\n
Defeat to France in Paris ended Irish title hopes last year, while they also lost to defending champions England at Twickenham.<\/p>\n
Wales were bidding to overcome their worst performance in the tournament in 13 years. The Welsh entered 2020 as Grand Slam champions, but finished fifth after losing four matches during a miserable start to the tenure of head coach Wayne Pivac.<\/p>\n