Wales 9-19 Ireland: Both captains are involved from the off as Brian O'Driscoll charges down Stephen Jones's clearance

Rory Best is on hand to gather the spilling ball and get Ireland off to the perfect start in Cardiff after just 45 seconds

Stephen Jones makes amends for his awful start with three penalties that put the hosts on top at 9-5

Denis Hickie receives some attention for a cut as Ireland soak up some enterprising running from the Wales backline

Wales struggle to turn pressure into points but O'Driscoll has no such problems, crashing over to put Ireland ahead again

Ireland go into the interval with a narrow 12-9 lead, having just managed to contain the attacking flair of James Hook

The second half continues at a ferocious pace but no points are added until Ronan O'Gara breaks the deadlock with a try

The fly-half finishes in the corner after good work from Gordon D'Arcy, then adds the extras to make it 19-9

The hits keep on coming in as Wales try to find a way through but Ireland hold fast and the clock keeps ticking down

The travelling fans celebrate as Ireland seal a bruising 19-9 win and the successful launch of their Six Nations campaign

Wales are left to reflect on missed opportunities and the prospect of facing Scotland at Murrayfield next weekend