Ireland's three steps to victory over Wales

How Ireland found themselves at the right side of the scoreline in Cardiff.

BRUISER: James Ryan of Ireland in action against Dillon Lewis of Wales during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The opening blitz 

Ireland were at their devastating, ruthless best in Cardiff over the opening 25 minutes, just as they had been in all three summer Tests against the All Blacks. They proved an irresistible force once again, making light of the late withdrawal of tempo-setting scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park but supplying the fast start with Conor Murray at the controls, the forwards in powerhouse mode to deliver lightening fast ruck ball and carving open Wales’s defences for Caelan Doris to score the opening try after just two minutes.