VIDEO: Travelling fans line out for carnival of rugby

Many Irish travelled to Cardiff in hope rather than expectation this weekend — while some wondered if they would see the game in person at all.

And so, while tens of thousands packed into the Millennium Stadium to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Irish rugby team, hundreds more who couldn’t secure a precious ticket to the crunch match against France found themselves in Cardiff Arms Park.

A large crowd who came to Cardiff, disappointed in their last-minute efforts to get into the game, made their own carnival and celebrated Ireland’s crucial win over France.