Ireland raised the curtain on the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup in style as Andy Farrell’s men eased to a 32-9 victory over Wales at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The hosts dominated the first half as Quinn Roux’s try plus eight points from the boot of Johnny Sexton and a Billy Burns penalty gave them a 16-6 cushion at the interval.
Leigh Halfpenny slotted three penalties for the visitors in response but another Billy Burns effort, along with two penalties from replacement Conor Murray, put the result beyond doubt.
And debutant James Lowe completed a night to remember for the men in green, crashing over the whitewash in the 80th minute for Ireland’s second try – converted by Murray.
The performance was the perfect riposte from Ireland following their Guinness Six Nations defeat to France in Paris, with Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park both impressing for the hosts.
Meanwhile, Wayne Pivac was left to rue a malfunctioning set piece and indiscipline as Wales slipped to a sixth straight defeat on the night of Alun Wyn Jones’ 150th Test cap.
