Ulster centre, Darren Cave, made a try scoring return to the international side as Ireland secured a 35 - 21 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium. The victory meant Ireland moved above South Africa in the world rankings to second, their highest ever position. Cave crossed in the 23 rd minute in an opening period in which Ireland dominated the home side. The pack won a scrum, set the platform and the Ulsterman dove over from close range. Jamie Heaslip and Keith Earls also scored tries in the first half as Ireland went into the break 25-7 up. Richard Hibbard's try just before the interval gave Wales some hope under the closed Millennium Stadium roof, but Joe Schmidt's men were in clinical form as both Simon Zebo and Felix Jones bagged tries in the second half while Welsh flanker Ross Moriarty was in the sin-bin. Â The match petered out as a contest in the final quarter, albeit with Justin Tipuric and Alex Cuthbert scoring two late consolation tries. Paddy Jackson kicked two penalties and two conversions as he started the game at out half. Ulster winger, Andrew Trimble, was replaced by Simon Zebo near the interval after suffering an injury. Speaking after the game, Ireland Head Coach, Joe Schmidt said: "Andrew Trimble was only going to play 40 minutes. He has a minor foot strain and we'll know more in the next 24 hours." Â The manner of the performance and result was a very positive start to Ireland's run of pre-Rugby World Cup fixtures. They also picked up silverware in the form of the Dove Men Trophy which was accepted by Heaslip, now Ireland's most-capped back rower, and prop Mike Ross who won his 50th cap in Cardiff. Â Â
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Cave scores as Ireland beat Wales 35-21
8th August 2015
Ulster centre, Darren Cave, made a try scoring return to the international side as Ireland secured a 35 - 21 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium. The victory meant Ireland moved above South Africa in the world rankings to second, their highest ever position. Cave crossed in the 23 rd minute in an opening period in which Ireland dominated the home side. The pack won a scrum, set the platform and the Ulsterman dove over from close range. Jamie Heaslip and Keith Earls also scored tries in the first half as Ireland went into the break 25-7 up. Richard Hibbard's try just before the interval gave Wales some hope under the closed Millennium Stadium roof, but Joe Schmidt's men were in clinical form as both Simon Zebo and Felix Jones bagged tries in the second half while Welsh flanker Ross Moriarty was in the sin-bin. Â The match petered out as a contest in the final quarter, albeit with Justin Tipuric and Alex Cuthbert scoring two late consolation tries. Paddy Jackson kicked two penalties and two conversions as he started the game at out half. Ulster winger, Andrew Trimble, was replaced by Simon Zebo near the interval after suffering an injury. Speaking after the game, Ireland Head Coach, Joe Schmidt said: "Andrew Trimble was only going to play 40 minutes. He has a minor foot strain and we'll know more in the next 24 hours." Â The manner of the performance and result was a very positive start to Ireland's run of pre-Rugby World Cup fixtures. They also picked up silverware in the form of the Dove Men Trophy which was accepted by Heaslip, now Ireland's most-capped back rower, and prop Mike Ross who won his 50th cap in Cardiff. Â Â