Ireland move to top of rankings with 19-10 win over Wales

Ireland 19-10 Wales, Aviva Stadium
Scorecard

Ireland have climbed to the top position in the World Rugby Rankings after they went on to edge out Wales 19-10 at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

The result also meant Ireland have completed a double over Wales after beating them 17-22 in their previous meeting in Cardiff.

Both the sides fielded their full-strength and it was the visitors that started in an attacking fashion without any points. The breakthrough finally came in the 22nd minute when Bundee Aki created a gap and offloaded to Rob Kearney, who went past Leigh Halfpenny for the opening try.

Johnny Sexton kicked the conversion as Ireland raced to seven points before Wales got their first points through a penalty kick from Halfpenny.

Wales went on to seize the lead when Dan Biggar made a good interception and fed Hadleigh Parkes, who went over the line and Halfpenny improved it as the teams went into the break with a 7-10 scoreline.

Ireland were quick to get off the block when Tadhg Furlong crossed whitewash in the 51st minute and Johnny Sexton improved it to make it 14-10 before James Ryan followed the suit for his side's third try in the 59th minute to stretch the scoreline 19-10.

Any chance of a late fightback from Wales were put off by a sin-bin to Adam Beard in the 78th minute as they succumbed to a nine point defeat.