Ireland vs Wales result: Joe Schmidt’s side win Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Dublin
The two met in the final Rugby World Cup warm-up match in Dublin
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Ireland will top the world rankings ahead of the Rugby World Cup after a 19-10 win over Wales in Dublin.
It wasn't all good news though and they will sweat a possible knee injury for wing Keith Earls, amid a confidence-boosting victory where Rob Kearney, Tadhg Furlong and James Ryan all bagged tries.
Head coach Joe Schmidt and captain Rory Best will relinquish their roles after the World Cup, and both claimed the Aviva Stadium sign-off they so craved.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load
I'm fascinated by this Ireland back row. Peter O'Mahony has been such a totemic figure in the last few years, but he hasn't been at his best internationally this year. Joe Schmidt naming CJ Stander on the blindside suggests he may at least be considering a dual number eight strategy in Japan, with Jack Conan making such strides at the back of the scrum.
I still think O'Mahony will start at six, which could make this something of a play-off between Stander and Conan, but we'll see. Wales' trio will certainly test them today.
Rory Best captains Ireland for the final time on home soil this afternoon, while Joe Schmidt will also bid farewell to the Aviva Stadium, with both intending to retire at the conclusion of the World Cup.
This is Best's 120th cap - he's been quite the servant, certainly, and he remains a crucial figure in the front row even at 37.
15 minutes until kick-off in Dublin. Still swathes of empty seats. England-Italy was a little bit tepid last night, and with the squads confirmed for the World Cup, you almost wonder if injury prevention become paramount, with intensity sacrificed as teams look to stay healthy.
The players have assembled themselves in the tunnel, two old warriors in Alun Wyn Jones and Rory Best leading them out.
Booming fireworks and a drum corps to welcome them on to the pitch. Lively. The poor mascots are caught a little off guard and cower against the burly Irish players alongside them.
Michael D Higgins, the President of Ireland, is going to have some pre-match handshakes before we get to the anthems. Alun Wyn Jones is a foot-and-a-half taller, by my estimation.
Plenty of pomp and circumstance for a warm-up game. Ireland can go top of the World Rugby rankings with victory, of course, but this feels a bit much.
One positive of this pre-match faffing is the brass band's rendition of "World in Union," objectively the greatest sporting event anthem.
It isn't quite as good as Hayley Westenra's version, but the brass band provide a nice soundtrack as Higgins waves his way back down the tunnel.
Wales sing "Land of our Fathers" typically heartily. The ground is starting to fill, as it always does in Dublin.
On to Ireland's pair of anthems.
Rory Best stoically munches on his chewing gum as he hears the first strains of "Ireland's Call" for the final time in an Ireland jersey at the Aviva Stadium.
Deep breaths, and a rub of the head from Johnny Sexton as a tear comes to Best's eye. Emotional.
More fireworks, and we are just about ready to go...
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies