A half of two halves then and it delivers a strange set of stats.

Ireland apparently made more than twice the distance Wales managed with ball in hand.

Wales-Ireland

Tackles made 87-62

Tackles missed: 9-6

Turnovers won: 2-1

Penalties conceded: 7-7

Carries: 54-58

Offloads: 1-3

Metres made: 97-214

Keith Wood
Former Ireland hooker on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

"I do have a level of frustration watching Wayne Barnes referee. He is overly pedantic at times for both Ireland and Wales."

Chris Wenham on Twitter:, external "Best first 10/15mins I've seen Wales play in a long time! Let's just hope we can start like that for the second half."

Andrew Weeks on Twitter:, external "Compelling first half. Alun Wyn Jones- quality."

Shane Williams
Former Wales winger on BBC One

"Johnny Sexton has had an off day so far and Wales will be grateful for that. He has taken his eye off the ball at times, looking at the opposition coming towards him. You don't see that in Division Six these days."

Keith Wood
Former Ireland hooker on BBC One

"It's like a game of aggressive chess. Ireland were hesitant and lacked discipline at the start while Wales were on fire for the first 15 minutes."

Wales started like a storm with Ireland cowering like a dog on fireworks night.

But slowly, but surely, Ireland have edged back into it.

Six points is a skinny lead and Wales have an unfortunate habit of letting things slip in the late stages of big matches.

Phillip Matthews
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

"There's a lot of bluff going on in the lineouts. O'Connell hasn't called too much on himself yet. Wales have worked out what Ireland are going to do so far.

Ohhh! Rob Kearney coming flying in from the opposite side is very nearly away from Jamie Heaslip's slipped inside pass.

Alun Wyn Jones just about got enough of him to dislodge the ball.

Sam Warburton trots back on. Ireland with the line-out just on the Wales side of halfway.

Devin Toner claims. What can the visitors create here?

Image source, Getty Images

James Humberstone on Twitter:, external "Biggar should have been in the Wales squad a year earlier. I'm not sure Priestland will see the 10 shirt again."

Sam Warburton is stretching off on the sidelines. Less than a minute of his sentence to serve.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

"What a ball that was from Johnny Sexton to Paul O'Connell. He did Rhys Webb with his eyes. And then Ireland get the penalty."

Dan Lydiate gets over-eager in his defence, leaping in to smother Johnny Sexton before the Ireland fly-half has actually got the ball.

Penalty and it is meat and drink for Sexton off the tee.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland piling on the pressure now though. Up to within five metres as Paul O'Connell barges through and onto a lovely disguised pass from Johnny Sexton and then Robbie Henshaw weasels through a gap.

Ken Eastwood: , externalAwesome drop goal Wales!

Woolworths Nye Bevan: , external‏That last Welsh play was an absolute delight

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

"Great play all round. A man short, you keep possession, and when you are ready you take the points. All the while, the clock is ticking down. Very good play by Wales."

Image source, Getty Images

Canny from Wales. With a good bit of territory, but a man down, Dan Biggar drops back into the pocket, allows the forwards to meander through a few slow phases and then slots a drop-goal right down the centre.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

"It's a different language in the scrum: 'If you pre-engage there will be sanctions'!"