Ireland v Wales & Scotland v Italy

1. Ireland 10-16 Wales FT
2. Henderson try, Sexton con & pen for Ireland
3. Tipuric try, Halfpenny con & 3 pens for Wales
4. Scotland 48-7 Italy FT
5. Lamont 2, Barclay, Visser 2, Bennett tries
6. Use the live coverage tab to select your commentary

PA

This live text is done for the evening though. Promising signs for Wales and Scotland, while Ireland's progress is checked. That is how the runes look from this angle.

Only 20 days until we get to taste the real meat of World Cup rugby.

Can't wait.

See you there.

Welsh forward power and the personal excellence of Ireland's Iain Henderson feature in John Haughey's report from Dublin.

Willem Nel and Finn Russell are picked out in the BBC Sport report from Murrayfield.

Check them out...

Where next for Wales and Ireland?

Inpho

So where next for Wales and Ireland?

Next weekend, by which time both teams and the rest of the world will know the 31-man squads, Ireland head to Twickenham to play England.

Wales meanwhile will be taking out any lingering frustrations on Italy at the Millennium Stadium. 

Scotland 48-7 Italy

It's up to the coaches to decide if I've done enough. If we could take a 50-man squad, I'm sure we would.

Scotland prop Jon Welsh on BBC Radio Scotland

PA

France next

A tougher test awaits Scotland next week. They are back on the road, playing France in Paris in their final warm-up match before playing Japan in Gloucester in their opening Pool B match on 23 September.

We have a great set of backs and we have to give them an opportunity to show their skills and I think the front five did that. Now we play the waiting game to see who is selected.

Scotland prop Alasdair Dickinson on BT Sport

Tom English

BBC Scotland

Scotland were aggressive and ripped the ball from Italy. Those kind of things usually happen against Scotland, not for Scotland. But this is peace-time rugby - can they produce this type of performance when it matters?

You can read Tom's in-depth Scotland analysis on the website later this evening.

PA

Full-time - Scotland 48-7 Italy

A very enjoyable outing for Vern Cotter's side. And as the Proclaimers blares out around Murrayfield, there are smiles of the faces of the Scots.

They made 568m - more than half a kilometre - with ball in hand. Italy racked up only 186m.

Try - Scotland 48-7 Italy

Italy throwing caution to the wind and passes to Scottish hands.

Mark Bennett swoops on a loose ball, skins Andrea Masi on the outside and has the pace to make the corner to complete a landslide win.

Finn Russell misses from a tight old angle.

Scotland 43-7 Italy

More scrum japes. Both sides playing up and making puppy eyes at the referee. Finally the ball is back in play.

A neat box chip from Italy, gathered by Ruaridh Jackson, but he is bundled out of play before he can flick the ball back into play.

Line-out Italy on the Scotland 22m line.

Record win?

If it stays like this, Scotland will have a record margin of victory over the Italians. 

Their previous best was a 47-15 win at Murrayfield in August 2003.

ALLSPORT

Scotland 43-7 Italy

The last two tries have been well-read interceptions. Scotland look organised - I've been up here weeping sometimes as they wonder where they're supposed to be. But they look like they know what they're supposed to do.

Former Scotland number eight John Beattie on BBC Radio Scotland

Converted try - Scotland 43-7 Italy

Over the horizon and away.

Italy are playing some ponderous stuff up within five metres of the Scotland line, but a loose, loopy pass from Luke McLean is gobbled up by Tim Visser and the Scotland winger charges the length of the pitch to go under the posts.

Simple for Finn Russell to add another two.

Given the World Cup is coming and there's mums and dads watching all that - I don't think you can leave someone on the pitch who has left the soles of their feet on someone's ear.

Former Scotland number eight John Beattie on BBC Radio Scotland

Sin-bin - Scotland 36-7 Italy

Silly boy. Italy prop Michele Rizzo presses his elbow into the face of a prone Scotland forward and then reacts to the Scot's retaliatory shove by booting him in the neck/shoulder region.

Yellow all the way. And he is lucky. If his aim had been off-skew and he put stud to head, it might well have been red.

Scotland 36-7 Italy

Sterling defensive work from Scotland as they face an Italy line-out five metres from their own line.

The home side pile in and pump the legs to drive the Italians away from the danger zone.

Replacement - Scotland 36-7 Italy

Henry Pyrgos has been allowed off the leash. He comes on to replace Greig Laidlaw at scrum-half for the final 14 minutes.

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Inpho

Paul O'Connell's son Paddy got to share the limelight with his old man after the final whistle at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Scotland 36-7 Italy

The Italians are going predictably around the corner and Sean Lamont just reads it. It's very clever and good from Lamont.

Former Scotland number eight John Beattie on BBC Radio Scotland

Try - Scotland 36-7 Italy

Sean Lamont rattled Andrea Masi with a big hit, got back to his feet and then snaffled an interception from Quentin Geldenhuys' hoof-handed pass in the next phase to trot over the whitewash.

Grieg Laidlaw misses the extras from a tricky angle.

Reuters

Replacement - Scotland 31-7 Italy

John Barclay makes way for Blair Cowan for Scotland.

Scotland 31-7 Italy

These two packs are digging a crater in the Murrayfield turf with their inability to get a scrum completed.

Finally referee Roman Poite's patience wears thin and he pings the Italians. Scotland with a line-out on the Italy 22m line.

Scotland 31-7 Italy

Ryan Wilson's tacking has been really good. He's done well today. I think we all want more from Grant Gilchrist - a couple of more runs and to be more abrasive.

Former Scotland number eight John Beattie on BBC Radio Scotland

Replacement - Scotland 31-7 Italy

A change in the Scotland front row.

Off goes hooker Ross Ford and Stuart McInally is on in his place.

It looks like Blair Cowan will be into the fray any moment as well.

Penalty - Scotland 31-7 Italy

Stuart Hogg picks a sublime line off the shoulder of Finn Russell. Italy get back to just about bring the livewire full-back to the floor but infringe and Grieg Laidlaw heaps another three points on the pile.

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Ireland 10-16 Wales

Both Ireland and Wales' players have hung behind to applaud Paul O'Connell after his final Test in Dublin.

The big man looks a little embarrassed by the whole thing. When an Irish Rugby official attempt to convince him to go on a lap of honour, O'Connell settles for a wander to the middle of the pitch and a wave to all four stands.

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It's very disappointing. A lot of things we wanted to improve on we probably haven’t. We've learned a lot about ourselves. In a few months time will be when I can look back on my international career – not now. Ireland fans have been tremendous throughout my career and hopefully they can add to it during the World Cup.

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell on Sky Sports

I know it would been a knock to confidence to lose this - but it was all about the performance and Wales can be pleased with the performance. To win here is a massive confidence boost - I just hope there aren't too many serious injuries.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Justin Tipuric speaking to Sky Sports: "Everyone is nervous [about the squad selection]. It is what you play for and everyone wants to be part of the World Cup squad."

Try - Scotland 28-7 Italy

We're unlikely to have such a close finish in Edinburgh as they had in Dublin, as the Scots have just scored their third try.

It's a cracker too, with the hosts rumbling from the line-out through David Denton.

When he is halted the ball is whipped wide and Tim Visser strides over untouched - he is indeed relishing his chance to run with the ball.

Full-time - Ireland 10-16 Wales

A little of an anti-climax as Craig Joubert blows up after getting the video official's verdict.

No try - Ireland 10-16 Wales

Leigh Halfpenny has slithered beneath the Ireland prop like a car mechanic checking the underside of a family saloon.

He keeps the ball from touching terra firma and denies Ireland the dramatic sign-off for Paul O'Connell's final Dublin Test outing.

Try review - Ireland 10-16 Wales

Ireland batter over. But has Sean Cronin grounded it cleanly? 

The video gods to decide.

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Ireland penalty right in front of the sticks.

 Not enough time for the kick though. Tap and go...

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Wales hold the driving maul at bay. But Ireland still have it and are grinding up around the fringes.

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Ireland will have another roll of the dice as Wales fail to find their man in the line-out.

Wales infringe as they attempt to snatch back possession. Paddy Jackson pokes the penalty into the corner. Line-out Ireland. Five metres out.

Grandstand finish to follow.

We're back under way at Murrayfield

It's been a lively old performance from the Scots, with the likes of Tim Visser relishing the chance to get his hands on the ball.

Can they really twist the knife in the second half?

PA

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Iain Henderson wins the line-out for Ireland, but Justin Tipuric is onto the ball like a limpet as the hosts try and get the rolling maul rumbling.

These two have been the best two players on the pitch.

Held up. Turnover and Ireland hopes getting very skinny.

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Wales with the ball, and the clock and the scoreboard in their favour.

Finally Ireland get a chance to get their mitts on the pill.

Paddy Jackson kicks a penalty up into the Wales half for a line-out. 

His side need a converted try.

They have five minutes to find one.

Inpho

Ireland 10-16 Wales

It's been scrappy. Wales have looked better with ball in hand. Ireland have kicked quite a bit - and kicked quite a lot of ball away.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Ireland are going out with a whimper as the rain starts to piddle down.

Paddy Jackson boots another aimless kick down the throats of the Wales back three. 

It is run back with interest and replacement Hallam Amos could have made the hosts really pay if George North had kept the ball in hand.

Ireland 10-16 Wales

Penalty - Ireland 10-16 Wales

Leigh Halfpenny takes off the scrum-cap and slots to push Wales further clear.

Replacement - Ireland 10-13 Wales

Rhys Webb's afternoon is done. Off he comes to be replaced by Gareth Davies in the Wales scrum-half slot.

Ireland 10-13 Wales

The massage men and women are going to have some overtime to work tonight.

Alun Wyn Jones has strained a leg, while Ireland centre Luke Fitzgerland has come off with a grimace.

Ireland 10-13 Wales

Wales have been offensive in defence all afternoon, up fast, hard and accurate.

As Ireland run out of options, the red tide rushes up to charge down Paddy Jackson's ambitious pop at a drop-goal.

Half-time

From the moment soon after the start they discovered they had dominance in the scrums, Scotland have not looked back.

They're moving the ball crisply and with the home pack on top, they will be relishing the second half - especially with Italy still down to 14 men.

Penalty - Ireland 10-13 Wales

Leigh Halfpenny loads the ball onto the tee, locks his sights on the sticks and drills over the top.

More machine than man at times. Wales lead once more.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

It's been a scrappy last 10 or 15 minutes. Neither side has been able to put phases together and put pressure on. The defences are winning at the moment.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

“This would be an incredibly cruel blow for Keith Earls and Ireland if it as serious as it looks. It is a horrible position for him to be in after all this hard work.”

Denis Hickie on Keith Earls injury scareFormer Ireland player

Replacement - Ireland 10-10 Wales

Johnny Sexton off and Paddy Jackson is on. Sexton looks like he has had a bang on his elbow. He is resting up with the modern version of the bag of peas on the bench.

Eoin Reddan is going to get a run-out as well at scrum-half.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Keith Earls is taken off in a neck brace, but he acknowledges the crowd's applause with a hand in the air as he goes.

Hopefully that won't be World Cup wrecker.

Ireland 10 -10 Wales

Is it a hip injury? Or a groin twinge? 

I think Keith Earls is struggling with a head knock actually. The doctors are, quite rightly, taking their time. He is loaded onto a stretcher as the golf buggy rolls on to take him off.

Try - Scotland 23-7 Italy

A try for John Barclay in his first cap for 18 months as he drives over from close range. 

Greig Laidlaw converts and - after Finn Russell prematurely kicks for touch with 30 seconds remaining in the half - we have half-time.  

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Ireland 10-10 Wales

Keith Earls is down for Ireland and getting treatment. This doesn't look too clever. Two medical staff on to try and fix him.

Sin-bin - Francesco Minto

Italy open-side flanker Francesco Minto is blatantly offside and duly binned - Scotland kick to the corner and trouble here for the Azzurri...

Replacement - Ireland 10-10 Wales

A change in the Ireland front row as Jack McGrath makes way for Dave Kilcoyne at loose-head.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Twenty minutes left then. No scores in the second half so far.

Who wants to take the win from this?

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Scotland 16-7 Italy

Problems for Italy up front as loose-head Matias Aguero goes off injured, with Michele Rizzo on in his stead.

Leicester prop Rizzo is immediately penalised at his first scrum - they can't get parity, let alone dominance, in that phase of the game.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Inpho

Rhys Webb gets a little cheeky - dummying and darting from the base of the breakdown - but runs straight into the lead-lined duvet that is Paul O'Connell's torso.

Turnover. Conor Murray senses space in behind and hoofs long. He senses wrong. Leigh Halfpenny is across to gather and return fire with a booming kick.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Replacement - Ireland 10-10 Wales

Wales have brought on Scott Baldwin to show what he can do at hooker. Ken Owens heads off to ride the pine.

No try - Ireland 10-10 Wales

Nope. Not by a long chalk. Sean O'Brien was short of the line and Justin Tipuric striped the ball from his grasp for good measure on the floor.

Ball turned over to Welsh hands and another gold star for Tipuric in Gatland's little book of World Cup starters.

Try review - Ireland 10-10 Wales

Ireland burrow for the whitewash from close range through Sean O'Brien.

They look well short, but referee Craig Joubert is going to take a little look upstairs.

Converted try - Scotland 16-7 Italy

A combination of cute play and good fortune for the visitors.

They win a penalty as Scotland pull down an Italian driving maul illegally, and with advantage safely tucked in his back pocket Tommasso Allan conjures up a neat chip.

Tim Visser is first there for Scotland but he cannot control it and 22-year-old centre Michele Campagnaro - who starred in the Six Nations - pounces to score. 

Replacement - Ireland 10-10 Wales

A blood switch as James King comes on to allow Dan Lydiate to get patched up.

Peter O'Mahony has been brought off by Ireland after his earlier spot of treatment. Sean O'Brien on.

Wales look really, really tired. Some of the boys are down on their knees. Ireland look a lot fresher than Wales.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Peter O'Mahony is back involved. Relief all round on the Ireland bench.

Ireland revved up by Dave Kearney's towering take, but Justin Tipuric makes up ground to get across and bring Robbie Henshaw to the floor just as he was getting outside his opposite number.

Penalty - Scotland 16-0 Italy

Scotland swarm Italy as they try to run from deep, John Barclay gets over the ball and Greig Laidlaw is on target once more... 

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Flanker Peter O'Mahony is getting some treatment. Ireland will be crossing their fingers for the blind-side. 

Penalty - Scotland 13-0 Italy

Scotland are on top in all departments at the moment and Greig Laidlaw edges them further clear.

Replacement - Ireland 10-10 Wales

Gethin Jennkins - who became the world's most capped prop with today's appearance - is off. Paul James of Ospreys is on.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Inpho

Iain Henderson was Ireland's try-scorer in the first half and has continued his good work after the break. He is everywhere and operating at a very high standard.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Ireland asking all the questions after the re-start. Rob Kearney makes a zig-zagging half-break to scatter the Wales defence.

But the red shirts snap back into formation sharpish. And Gethin Jenkins clamps down over the top to earn his side a penalty as Wales fails to release.

Wales' defence and work at the breakdown have made life difficult for Ireland so far

Scotland 10-0 Italy

Everyone scoring in 10s today - bar Italy.

Stuart Hogg and Tim Visser both dance their way upfield as the Scottish back three enjoy the possession their forwards are securing.

The hosts are looking lively in the Edinburgh sunshine. 

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Robbie Henshaw is a solid, compact unit at inside centre and he is not shy of taking on Jamie Roberts physically.

Johnny Sexton's boot is starting to find it's range. A delicious nudge up over George North, bobbles into the corner to give Wales a line-out pretty much on their own line.

AFP

Kick-off - Ireland 10-10 Wales

Johnny Sexton thumps the first kick of the second half up to the Wales 22m line where Alex Cuthbert takes cleanly and runs back hard.

Ireland 10-10 Wales

In World Cup Pool A terms, Justin Tipuric's work emphasises how Wales and Australia can get at England.

While Wales have Tupiric and Australia have David Pocock, England, without Toulon's Steffon Armitage, lack a breakdown scrapper of the same quality.

Try - Scotland 10-0 Italy

Lovely score from the Scots. Stuart Hogg on the cut gets the hosts on the front foot before Finn Russell takes out the pitching wedge.

His pin-point chip is taken at full pelt by veteran winger Sean Lamont and there's no stopping the big man from that sort of range.  

PA

Ireland 10-10 Wales

“Iain Henderson is pushing for a starting position in the bigger games. Wales will not be happy at all because they were in total control.”

Reggie CorriganFormer Ireland forward

Ireland 10-10 Wales

It's not what the Welsh deserve. They've been the best side. That try has come from our scrummage - the set-piece at the end of the half has let us down.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 10-10 Wales

Inpho

The scores level at the break. But I would says that Wales will be happier with their performance.

Ireland are level without playing as well as they can. Joe Schmidt's side have made scoreboard efficiency their trademark.

Penalty - Scotland 3-0 Italy

The Italians may love a scrum but they are penalised at the first engagement and Greig Laidlaw nudges Scotland into the lead. 

Half-time - Ireland 10-10 Wales

Converted try - Ireland 10-10 Wales

He has been the stand-out performer for Ireland so far and Iain Henderson gets a try for his efforts, crossing under the posts with four Wales tacklers clinging to him like barnacles on a battle cruiser.

A simple job for Sexton to add the extras and we are all even at the break.

Scotland 0-0

We're under way in Edinburgh, and there's an early scrum - the Italians love scrums.

Ireland 3-10 Wales

The Wales defensive wall is ramrod straight and titanium reinforced. Ireland are running through the phases but are not creating any hole or sucking in red shirts.

Johnny Sexton engages brain over brawn and chips over the top for Keith Earls. The Ireland winger was ahead of Leigh Halfpenny in the chase, but in the end the ball beats them both, bouncing into touch.

Team news

Scotland: Hogg; Lamont, Bennett, Horne, Visser; Russell, Laidlaw; Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Gilchrist, J Gray, Wilson, Denton, Lawson. 

Replacements: McInally, Reid, Welsh, Harley, Cowan, Pyrgos, Jackson, Scott. 

Italy: McLean; Esposito, Campagnaro, Morisi, Sarto; Allan, Palazzani; Aguero, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Fuser, Furno, Zanni, Minto, Vunisa. 

Replacements: Manici, Rizzo, Chistolini, Geldenhuys, Bergamasco, Violi, Canna, Masi. Referee: Romain Poite (France) 

Scotland v Italy nears kick-off

For those of you of a Scottish persuasion, you'll be glad to know they're onto the anthems at Murrayfield.

Not sure Flower of Scotland works quite as well on a sunny August afternoon as it does on a dreich winter's day, but the bagpipes are skirling nonetheless. 

AFP

"Ireland look to be lacking a bit of muscle in the forwards exchanges - apart from Iain Henderson, who is having a fine game."

Denis HickieFormer Ireland wing

Ireland 3-10 Wales

Ireland with a bit more go-forward now.

They crunch their way up towards the Wales 22m. 

But Dan Lydiate levels Paul O'Connell with a chopping tackle, Justin Tipuric is jackelling over the top of the breakdown and the ball is knocked forward in the next phase.

Inpho

Ireland look a bit ponderous but you have to take your hat off to the Welsh defence. They have been out quick on the wings to stop everything.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 3-10 Wales

Ireland are struggling to get momentum. Robbie Henshaw makes a forceful charge, but is swallowed up by the red wall in front of him.

Suddenly the pitch looks a little narrow and Jamie Heaslip is scragged as he crabs sideways in search of some fresh air and space.

Penalty - Ireland 3-10 Wales

Iain Henderson has looked good at the breakdown for Ireland and he shows some neat footwork in the loose.

Wales are pinged as they scramble back, failing to come through the right side of the breakdown.

Sexton inflicts three points of punishment off the tee.

Ireland 0-10 Wales

Inpho

Ireland are not going to let Paul O'Connell go out on a bum note in his final Test appearance in Dublin are they?

The skipper needs to stir his men into action.

"Wales are really growing into this game. They are using forward ball-carriers very effectively and we haven't seen anything like that from the Ireland back row."

Reggie CorriganFormer Ireland prop

PA

It was a mass of Wales players in that driving maul. Great play by the Welsh side. It's been a very promising 25 minutes for Wales. It's very pleasing. I don't think Ireland have put any pressure on whatsoever.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

PA

Converted try - Ireland 0-10 Wales

The third, or is it fourth?, time is the charm.

With Ireland fearing a penalty try if they try to pull it down, Wales rumble over.

We think that Justin Tipuric was the man with his mitts on the ball at the bottom of the pile-up.

Leigh Halfpenny adds the extras. Wales in control.

Ireland 0-3 Wales

Another rolling maul. Ireland infringe to keep it from crossing the whitewash again.

The referee warns Paul O'Connell. Wales go for the corner once more.

Some great play by the Welsh forwards and tremendous from the backs. Wales are just not getting that quick ball from the rucks. Ireland are doing well to slow it down.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 0-3 Wales

George North throws his weight behind the rolling maul. 

Again Ireland hold out. Just. But only at the cost of a penalty. Dan Biggar puts the ball into the corner and Wales will attempt to repeat the trick. 

Ireland 0-3 Wales

It really was a lovely little piece of interplay by the Wales backs - Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts and Dan Biggar swapping possession in a flurry of intersecting angles and neat offloads.

Wales take the line-out on five metres after play was halted with them in possession.

Ireland 0-3 Wales

Wales are piling pressure on the Ireland back line. They are up to within five metres, via some sublime hands from Dan Biggar.

Penalty - Ireland 0-3 Wales

Leigh Halfpenny is apparently wearing boot with nine-carat gold studs.

He slots from a relatively easy angle to open the scoring.

Ireland 0-0 Wales

Wales with a chance to turn the thumbscrews as they earn a line-out inside the Ireland 22. Ken Owens finds his man with a precise dart to the front. 

His team are stopped in their tracks though with Paul O'Connell scrapping on the floor and second-row partner Iain Henderson blasts through a ruck, leaving Alun Wyn Jones on the seat of his shorts.

Is kicking really the best option against Ireland when they virtually have three full-backs across the back line? Maybe Wales need to re-look at that.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 0-0 Wales

Justin Tipuric charges down Johnny Sexton in midfield as the Ireland fly-half gets a little casual.

Sexton is taking his time to get comfy in the game. He slices another kick straight into touch around half-way.

Ireland 0-0 Wales

Two high-flying aerial aces take to the skies as Dan Biggar and Rob Kearney contest Leigh Halfpenny's clearing punt around halfway.

Both have their eyes locked on the ball, so there is nothing malicious in the mid-air collision that ensues.

Neither claim the ball cleanly. And Biggar is getting treatment. Quick magic sponge and he is up and running.

Ireland 0-0 Wales

Break! Scott Williams slices through some flimsy, flaky Ireland defence on the hosts' 22m line.

Rhys Webb is in support, but the scrum-half is smothered by Rob Kearney and, with green outnumbering red at the breakdown, the ball is turned over.

PA

George North will be pleased to get into the game early on, having not played for five months. The first line-out for Wales looked promising and so did the first scrummage until Ireland started moving it around.

Former Wales wing Adrian Hadley on BBC Radio Wales

Ireland 0-0 Wales

Penalty to Wales at scrum time.

And debutant Tomas Francis earns a congratulatory slap on the back from the rest of the pack.

Ireland 0-0 Wales

A clever kick forward by Luke Fitzgerald spins the Wales defence on its heels. 

George North wins the race to gather up the loose ball. Mind his head! All OK for the Wales winger - playing his first game for months after concussion - as his team-mates get back to help him out.

Ireland 0-0 Wales

Wales get a little untidy around the breakdown - the ball popping out quickly and catching Rhys Webb by surprise - and Paul O'Connell is onto it like bloodhound sniffing his quarry.

John Haughey

BBC Sport NI

"Paul O'Connell picks up a blade of grass as he leads out the Ireland team at the Aviva Stadium to rousing cheers. I'm sure the groundsman will forgive him as it's his final home international."

Ireland 0-0 Wales

Ireland immediately on the front foot.

They suck Wales in around the fringes with a couple of forward rumbles, before Johnny Sexton gets his head up and punts for the corner.

It is a fine bomb, floating tantalisingly, but is just out of the reach of the chasing Keith Earls.

Kick-off

Referee Craig Joubert peeps his whistle and Dan Biggar gets us up and running...

Out come the two teams.

There are a few patches of empty green seats to greet them in the Aviva, but considering this is only an hors d'oeuvre to the main event of the World Cup, it is not a bad showing.

Wales holding nothing back at anthem time. Do they ever? It is practically a Pavlovian response to the opening bars of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. 

Ireland follow suit with their two national ditties.

"No previous Ireland World Cup squad has ever been as nervous heading into selection for the tournament. When I was involved in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, there was nothing like the strength in depth that is there now. You could argue that apart from the captain (Paul O'Connell) and the number 10 (Johnny Sexton), every other player in the Ireland squad will be a bit nervous heading into the squad announcement."

Denis HickieFormer Ireland winger

John Haughey

John Haughey

Inpho

A sparse enough crowd at the Aviva Stadium so far but Paul O'Connell still receives a rousing cheer as he jogs out for Ireland's pre-match warm-up. 

The Munster legend, who will join French giants Toulon after the World Cup, is earning his 103rd cap in today's game against the Welsh.

Lesson learned for Batman

Getty Images

Glasgow prop Ryan Wilson is making his first international appearance since serving an international ban in the wake of an assault conviction.

In February, while dressed as Batman, Wilson punched Glasgow Hawks captain Ally Maclay.

Maclay was dressed as Tweedledee during the incident at Barbeque Kings in Glasgow's west end.  The court heard that a minion, a red crayon and others in fancy dress were nearby as the incident unfolded.

Team news

Getty Images

The big guns are included for Scotland as well.

Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, Jonny Gray and captain Greig Laidlaw are among those making their first appearances of the summer.  

Scotland: Hogg; Lamont, Bennett, Horne, Visser; Russell, Laidlaw (c); Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Gilchrist, J Gray, Wilson, Barclay, Denton

Replacements: McInally, Reid, Welsh, Harley, Cowan, Pyrgos, Jackson, Scott

No Sergio Parisse for the Italians, but Tommaso 'Tommy' Allan - who qualifies for Scotland through his father - is at fly-half.

Italy: McLean; Esposito, Campagnaro, Morisi, Sarto; Allan, Palazzani; Vunisa, Zanni, Minto;  Furno, Fuser, Castrogiovanni Ghiraldini, Aguero

Replacements: Manici, Rizzo, Chistolini, Geldenhuys,  Bergamasco, Violi, Canna, Masi  

If the emotion of his last Test appearance in Dublin is weighing on Paul O'Connell he is wearing it lightly.

Or maybe one of his team-mates has left a surprise for him in his kit bag...

Inpho

John Haughey BBC Sport NI

John Haughey

World Cup selection hovers over both Joe Schmidt and Warren Gatland’s squads, but there are a number of other intriguing issues and sidebars to the Aviva Stadium contest.

Wales wing George North plays his first game since March after concussion absence while Ireland icon Paul O’Connell has his final home match for his country. The big man has been playing down that issue down all week.

Johnny Sexton, Rob Kearney, Conor Murray, Robbie Henshaw and Peter O’Mahony return after being rested for Ireland’s opening two warm-up wins while Luke Fitzgerald and Nathan White are among those looking to give Schmidt a nudge ahead of Monday’s final cut.

Exeter prop Tomas Francis is handed a Wales debut with Alun Wyn Jones captaining the visitors in Sam Warburton’s absence.

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John McEnerney: Hoping Luke Fitz has a big game some player, blighted by injury getting back 2 the form that saw his selection for The Lions 09  

Team news

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Jonny Sexton, Rob Kearney, Conor Murray, Robbie Henshaw and Peter O'Mahony all return to the Irish team with Leinster winger Luke Fitzgerald given a run at outside centre.

Ireland: R Kearney; D Kearney, L Fitzgerald, R Henshaw, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; J McGrath, R Strauss, N White, I Henderson, P O'Connell, P O'Mahony, J Murphy, J Heaslip . Replacements: S Cronin, D Kilcoyne, T Furlong, D Ryan, S O'Brien, E Reddan, P Jackson, F Jones.

George North, out with concussion since March, returns for Wales. Alun Wyn Jones leads the side in Sam Warburton's absence while Exeter tight-head prop Tomas Francis will win his first cap.

Wales: L Halfpenny; A Cuthbert, S Williams, J Roberts, G North; D Biggar, R Webb; G Jenkins, K Owens, T Francis, B Davies, A-W Jones, D Lydiate, J Tipuric, T Faletau. Replacements: S Baldwin, P James, A Jarvis, L Charteris, J King, G Davies, R Priestland, H Amos.

Right. Enough frivolity. Down to business.

These are the men who will be attempting to nail down their World Cup spots over the next couple of hours.,,,

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Video that appeared from inside the Wales training camp this week showed Warren Gatland's men pushing cars, taking each other on in tug-of-war contests and lugging 35kg bags around the pitch.

All of this has been taking place either at oxygen-light altitude in Fiesch, Switzerland or in the toasty heat of Doha, Qatar.

We are after your tales of pre-season lunacy today. 

I seem to recall one drill that involved running through backs moves using a golf ball after being flogged through a bleep test. 

Fore!

Let us know via #bbcrugby, on 81111 on text from UK phones and via the BBC Facebook page.

BBC radio commentary

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As well as these words, there will be live radio coverage of both matches today.

BBC Wales, BBC Cymru and BBC Radio Ulster will all be on the scene at the Aviva, while BBC Radio Scotland is at Murrayfield.

Click on the audio icon at the top of this page to have your pick of those.

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Also in action this afternoon are Scotland.

Vern Cotter's side ended a six-match losing streak with a 16-12 win over Italy in Turin last week.

He will be hoping for more points and pizazz - and another win - as the two teams meet again, this time in Edinburgh.

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The fitness blitz is calming. 

And because Rugby World Cups are decided on the pitch rather than by bleep tests or bench presses, it is time for the contenders to show that the have they have the skills to go with gallons of sweat.

Ireland take on Wales in both teams' penultimate World Cup warm-up and kick-off is at 14:30 at the Aviva Stadium.

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Two days until governing body World Rugby needs the 31 names that make up their squads.

Three weeks until they begin their World Cup campaigns.

Just one hour until the final audition kicks off.

Deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. No more wiggle room. Time for Wales and Ireland to show they are made of world-conquering, history-making stuff.