JACOB’S LADDER

It’s a step in the right direction for Schmidt’s men as Stockdale helps Ireland bounce back with a victory in Cardiff

JACOB STOCKDALE shook off a bad hair day at Twickenham to shear Wales as Ireland found and then lost some momentum in victory.

Following the horror show against England, this World Cup warm-up in Cardiff was about rebuilding confidence.

Ireland had vowed to be better and Stockdale, minus the long locks he sported on a difficult afternoon in London, epitomised the effort by scoring two first-half tries before he was withdrawn.

The visitors led 15-3 by then and, with the hosts missing 20 first-half tackles - mirroring Ireland’s 21 last week – a morale-boosting win was on the cards.

That feeling was reinforced almost an hour in when ref Romain Poite awarded Ireland a penalty try for a 22-3 lead, underlining a much improved set-piece this week.

But as both replacement benches emptied, so Ireland’s influence waned and Wales’ grew as Rhys Patchell came on and ran the show.

Suddenly engaged with the action, the home crowd was disappointed Wales couldn’t find a third try to clinch victory.

Joe Schmidt is on a Monday deadline to finalise his 31-man squad for Japan – he will pore over the final 15 minutes in particular. Worryingly, the arrival of skipper Rory Best and fellow veteran Devin Toner did nothing to stem the tide.

Ultimately Ireland held on to inflict a first home defeat on Wales in 21 months and the game gave a chance for a number of players to prove their World Cup credentials.

Stockdale and Bundee Aki looked full of intent after last week, while James Ryan impressed in his season bow.

After a scrappy start, Carty kicked his team ahead with a ninth minute penalty before Jarrod Evans replied on the quarter hour mark.

Stockdale’s 18th minute finish for his first try was straight-forward, but the build-up was exceptional.

Addison made a great take in the air, Kilcoyne beat three defenders, a

Carty off-load found Conway and Chris Farrell’s decoy run left Stockdale free to score.

Carty nailed the tough conversion before Evans’ struck a penalty wide for the hosts.

And Stockdale sprinted in for his second in the 28th minute, kicking ahead and beating full-back Hallam Amos after pouncing on Aaron Shingler’s attempted off-load, with Carty missing the conversion.

When Jack Conan pilfered scrum ball on Wales’ five metre line, Leon Brown was sinbinned.

Andrew Conway’s try was ruled out for a borderline forward pass by Carty, but Ireland maintained pressure and a penalty try was the reward.

But the Welsh breakthrough came in the 64th minute. Lane cut inside Carty and McGrath to score, with Patchell converting.

McGrath then denied Welsh replacement Elliott Dee a try, while Garry Ringrose also had a try disallowed for Aki tackling James Davies in the air.

Anxiety grew as Patchell sidestepped Ringrose for a 76th minute try – and his conversion made it a five-point game.

However Ireland held on for the win, with the sides to meet in Dublin again next Saturday before the really serious stuff begins.