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Sam Warburton of Wales is tackled by Cian Healy of Ireland during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on February 2, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.
(February 1, 2013 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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Planet Rugby has a Match Report:
Ireland produced a brilliant first-half display to clinch the opening fixture of the Six Nations with a 30-22 win over Wales in Cardiff.
A dire performance from Wales in the opening 40 minutes left them with a mountain to climb in the second-half, at which they threw everything to bounce back from a 30-3 scoreline to 30-22 in an utterly dominant half.
Ireland appeared to mentally crumble under the depth of their 27-point lead, producing brilliant defence at times but unable to escape their own half as Wales pounded away at the visitors try line, falling short of cutting down the whole deficit in a classic.
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Brian O'Driscoll of Ireland scores a try during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on February 2, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.
(February 1, 2013 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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Man of the match: Streetwise, skilful, a magnificent return to form from Brian O'Driscollstole the show in Cardiff.
Moment of the match: An outrageous piece of footwork from Simon Zebo to control possession in the build-up to Ireland's second try.
Villain of the match: Unnecessary petulance from Mike Phillips after being brought back from a tap penalty was needless.
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Jonny Sexton of Ireland is tackled by Jonathan Davies and Toby Faletau (R) of Wales during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on February 2, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.
(February 1, 2013 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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Mike Phillips of Wales is challenged by Mike Ross of Ireland during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on February 2, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.
(February 1, 2013 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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RBS 6 Nations official website has a Match Report:
Ireland survive Wales comeback in Cardiff
Ireland survived a stirring second-half comeback from Wales to seal a 30-22 victory and get their RBS 6 Nations campaign up and running as Brian O'Driscoll rolled back the years in Cardiff.
Absent from last year's competition through injury, 34-year-old O'Driscoll scored one try and made another for Simon Zebo to help Ireland march into a 30-3 lead just after the break.
Wales rallied through tries from Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny and Craig Mitchell but could not prevent an eighth straight defeat and fifth in a row on home soil - the most on the spin in their history.
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Wales player Toby Faletau is stopped by Jonny Sexton just short of the try line during the RBS Six Nations game between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
(February 1, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)
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Donnacha Ryan of Ireland competes in a line-out during the RBS Six Nations match between Wales and Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on February 2, 2013 in Cardiff, Wales.
(February 1, 2013 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
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next test:
France v Wales
Stade de France - Paris
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Ireland v England
Aviva Stadium - Dublin
http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/matchcentre/7991.php?section=overview&fixid=153769
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