• Wales’s Rhys Patchell could face absence after head injury
Ireland leave for Japan on Wednesday on top of the world rankings after their most grindingly efficient performance since they defeated New Zealand last November. The manner in which they defeated the Six Nations champions, wearing them down in the second half and shutting them out of the contest makes them the most likely of the Celtic challengers in the World Cup.
Related: Ireland v Wales: Rugby World Cup warm-up match – live!
Written by Paul Rees at the Aviva Stadium
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/07/ireland-wales-rugby-world-cup-warm-up-match-report under the title “Ireland top rankings after Wales are worn down and suffer fly-half blow”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
