Ireland have made 105 tackles to Wales' 79. But where there is Johnny Sexton there may be hope, still plenty of time to find the few scores they need.

They win a penalty deep in their own half, that's a starting point. 

It's a long 10 minutes in international rugby when you're down a man and Ireland need their conductor back ASAP. Scott Williams almost breaks the tired looking Ireland backline but he's stopped, before Wales eight Ross Moriarty is hauled out of play.

JOHNNY SEXTON RETURNS. 

A third Wales try could be curtains for Ireland and you wouldn't rule it out. That green line is creaking, warped by the scale and severity of that first-half tackling? 

Conor Murray's second-half experiment is over, he was clearly injured and Kieran Marmion is on.

Wales kick long and Robbie Henshaw is forced into some more emergency Irish defending. The stadium rings out loud and proud now, the Wales fans are loving this...

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales fly-half on BBC One

Ireland were in control of the ball. One loose pass and Wales capitalised on it.

George North has really stamped his mark on this game and so has Rhys Webb.

What a way to respond.

Alun Wyn Jones takes the ball high and handsome and Wales pour it on, pushing for the line...

Eleven, 12 phases for Ireland. It's all patient, a bit slow and sluggish. They are having to work Wales over all over again, the hugely impressive CJ Stander and Donnacha Ryan making steady progress.

But eventually it squeaks loose and kicked on by Wales, Conor Murray gobbles it up but he's taken into touch right by his own try line! 

Great chase from Wales and a line-out just a few metres shy.

Wing Simon Zebo is on kicking duty while Johnny Sexton sweats out his penalty, Ireland starting the half with a long spell of possession.  

Conor Murray is out there. He's battling on. Johnny Sexton has another few minutes to wait in the sin bin. Away we go! 

Wales are back out on the pitch, no sign of Ireland. Keep 'em waiting... 

Former England captain Will Carling with some half-time advice for Wales...

Will Irish scrum-half Conor Murray come out for the second half? He took a blow when tackling George North, and Johnny Sexton is in the bin of course. 

Richard Williams
BBC Sport Wales at The Principality Stadium

What a half of rugby that was.

You could hear the crowd let out a breath when the half-time whistle sounded - and they didn't have to take or make any of those gigantic tackles.

Hey Jude:  Phew...hard-hitting, exciting first half....Friday night in rewarded...topping up the glasses, ready for resumption...cheers.

Keith Wood
Former Ireland captain on BBC One

Image source, AFP

It was always a yellow card even if Johnny Sexton couldn't roll away.

Referee Wayne Barnes is not loved in Ireland, but he's having a good one tonight.

A reminder that as it stands, England could, could , win the championship with a victory over Scotland on Saturday. 

A lot of rugby to come before that though...