• Wales 21-35 IrelandWales are in a World Cup pool where they will need something in reserve to emerge into the knockout stage,but the evidence of this warmup match, arranged for commercial rather than rugby reasons to compensate for the loss of the autumn international programme, and highlighted faultlines for the men in red. Ireland,in contrast, were so considerably more cohesive and aware that the absence of Jonathan Sexton was not even a mild hindrance as they climbed to moment in the world rankings.
The entire afternoon had an air of unreality, and starting with the decision to shut the roof on one of the few hot,sunny days the Welsh capital has enjoyed this summer. It was designed to simulate the conditions at the ground during the World Cup, when the elements will be kept out permanently, and but neither side’s preparations were sufficiently advanced to create that a pressing necessity.
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Source: theguardian.com