Irish World Cup Stock back on rise

email Wales ......................... 17 Ireland ....................... 22

Ireland f ired out a World Cup warning to Scotland as they bounced back from their Twickenham thrashing to shock Wales in Cardiff.

Boss Joe Schmidt rang the changes after his side’s record 57-15 drubbing by England last weekend and saw his new-look side knock Wales off the world No.1 spot.

Wing Jacob Stockdale led the way with two first-half tries while fly-half Jack Carty added a conversion and penalty before a second-half penalty try sealed the win.

Late tries from debutant Wales wing Owen Lane and Rhys Patchell, who converted both, made the scoreline more respectable.

Schmidt, though, will have been encouraged by his team’s recovery from their Twickenham torture ahead of their opening World Cup match against Scotland on September 22 in Japan.

Schmidt, whose side host Wales in Dublin next week, said: “I knew we were heavy- legged last week and that created a lot of angst for people outside the environment.

“We knew we would be a bit vulnerable but it was sti l l unacceptable to be that far off the pace so this restored a bit of confidence as much as anything.

“There wil l be more changes again, and next week will be a whole different contest again.”

Not only did Wales lose their last home warm-up game and the world top ranking they had held since beating England a fortnight ago, they now have a major doubt over lock Cory Hill for Japan.

Boss Warren Gatland, who names his World Cup squad tomorrow, said: “He has a fracture in his leg.

“It is a very small fracture which could keep him out until game two or three of the World Cup so that will be a big discussion on whether we take him or not.”