31-08-15 rugby

IRELAND 10-16 WALES

SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR IRELAND

Wales boosted their World Cup preparations as Justin Tipuric's excellent display and desperate late defence edged out Ireland in Dublin.

Hooker Sean Cronin crossed in the final seconds, but was held up under the posts to deny Ireland a decisive score.

Earlier Tipuric, brilliant with ball in hand and at the breakdown, had driven over before the superb Iain Henderson crossed to make it 10-10 at the break.

But Leigh Halfpenny's two second-half penalties proved enough for Wales.

The match saw Paul O'Connell making his final home appearance for Ireland while George North was back in action for Wales after a five-month concussion absence

In my opinion the difference here was that Wales were a lot better in this match from the start but having more possession in the second half and scoring nothing that is a serious concern and something that needs to be fixed now. I think that it will be interesting in some positions where Joe Shmit and Warren Gatlin go for as wales have hard matches before the quarters.

ITALY 12-16 SCOTLAND

PYRGOS TRY GIVES SCOTS A BOOST

A late Henry Pyrgos try gave Scotland their first win of 2015 as Italy were beaten in an uninspiring World Cup warm-up match in Turin.

Duncan Weir sent over three first-half penalties for the Scots, but Gonzalo Garcia's reply and two more penalties from Tommaso Allan levelled matters.

After the break, Allan's third penalty put Italy ahead for the first time.

But substitute scrum-half Pyrgos went over against the run of play before Weir added the conversion.

Italy are definitely an improving side and I think that they will do well in this competition but I would worry about how far Scotland can go