Six Nations: Ireland survive scare to eventually see off much-improved Wales

In their first game since Warren Gatland's exit, the Welsh were exceptional and gave as good as they got after a difficult start.

The visitors had controlled the first quarter, going 10-0 in front through Jack Conan's try and Sam Prendergast's penalty, but the hosts responded superbly.

A brace of Gareth Anscombe three-pointers got Wales back into the contest before Jac Morgan and Tom Rogers tries, which came following Garry Ringrose's 20-minute red card, took them 18-10 ahead.

However, after Ireland returned to 15, the title favourites gradually assumed control. Jamie Osborne's score levelled the game while Prendergast added four more penalties in the second half to secure the win.

The build-up to the game in Cardiff had obviously been dominated by Gatland's departure and the decision to bring in Cardiff's Matt Sherratt on an interim basis.

Sherratt immediately made changes, bringing Anscombe and Max Llewellyn from outside the squad into the XV.

As a result, they looked a more balanced side on paper and it showed on the field, despite what appeared to be an ominous Ireland start.

Simon Easterby's men have been impressive so far this Six Nations campaign and they looked to take their next step on the road to an unprecedented three-peat.

Like they did against Scotland, Ireland opened the match superbly, showing excellent intensity, physicality and skill set. Wales struggled to cope and it was not a surprise to see Conan barrel his way across the whitewash.

Prendergast converted before the fly-half added a three-pointer as the visitors continued to control the gain line exchanges.

There were positive signs for Wales, however, with the scrum working well and the half-backs linking nicely to produce some promising moments. That duly yielded two penalties for Anscombe as Welsh roars increased.

Belief started to seep into the hosts' game and with Ringrose also in the sin-bin, they began to put the away side under real duress. They pounded at the Irish line and Morgan eventually found his way over to remarkably take his team into the lead.

Ringrose's yellow was then upgraded to red during the interval and with the visitors still down a man, they took advantage through Rogers' stunning finish.

It was a hugely surprising turn of events, with serious questions being asked of the title favourites, but there is a reason why they have won this competition for the past two seasons.

Easterby's men rode out the rest of the 20-minute red card period and in fact reduced the deficit through the boot of Prendergast before they levelled matters after Bundee Aki came onto the field for Ringrose.

Although there were a couple of customary bursts by Aki, it was fellow New Zealand-born star James Lowe who was the creator for the try as his incredible aerial skills allowed him to tap the ball back in-field for Osborne to touch down.

Ireland were back in the game but Wales were still vibrant and creating opportunities in attack. However, the physicality of Ireland, combined with the kicking game of half-backs Jamison Gibson-Park and Prendergast, pinned the hosts back.

Under pressure, they conceded a couple of kickable three-pointers which the fly-half converted to take the Irish six points ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

Despite Prendergast's kicking prowess, it was another mixed display from the playmaker and his errant clearance allowed the Welsh to get on the front foot.

They created a half-chance for Ellis Mee in the left-hand corner but, when it was deemed correctly that he had knocked on, that ended their hopes.

Wales duly succumbed to their 15th successive Test loss when a fifth Prendergast penalty rubberstamped the triumph for Ireland.

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