Plenty of distance on that, and Halfpenny looked far more comfortable there.

Wales extend their lead to eight points with just under 10 minutes to play before the break in Dublin.

Image source, Reuters

Wales steal the line-out and Gareth Davies puts in a nice box-kick for Dan Biggar to chase.

The fly-half collects well, but after doing all the hard work he loses it on the ground.

After a natter with the assistant referee, Glen Jackson decides that's a penalty as the ball was kicked out his hands by Rob Kearney.

Halfpenny points to the posts once again...

Image source, Reuters

Cian Murtagh
BBC Sport NI at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland made a pretty nervy start with Aki attempting to gather from an offside position for Halfpenny’s penalty and then Sexton hitting the post. Not the start that Joe Schmidt would have expected from his experienced players but that try by Stockdale would have settled the nerves.

Warren Gatland had questioned Ireland’s cutting edge in the build up to the game but that was as emphatic an answer as you can get.

Sexton is conducting the attack nicely, but Wales can keep conceding penalties at will if he cannot convert his chances and that try by Davies shows that Wales can convert even the slightest hint of territory into points.

Image source, Inpho

Matt Taggart: Having to follow through the live feed because the wife decided now was the time to wallpaper the cloakroom and needed the power turned off!

We're here for you, Matt!

Image source, Getty Images

But Ireland are also struggling with the laws. This time centre Bundee Aki takes out Gareth Davies off the ball and hands goal-kicking machine Leigh Halfpenny the chance to extend Wales' lead.

The top hat is off, but from way downfield Halfpenny doesn't catch it properly. Hmmm... both kickers slightly off colour in Dublin.

Image source, Getty

Wales are having a bit of bother keeping pace with New Zealand referee Glen Jackson's interpretation of the laws.

The visitors gave away three penalties in the opening 15 minutes.

And, as you can see below, at least a couple were well within Johnny Sexton's range.

They offered up only two in the whole of their last match against England.

Image source, Getty Images

Said: Ireland dominating territorially, but Wales are very dangerous in the counter.

Wales have had less of the territory, less of the ball, but have two-thirds of the points on the scoreboard.

Ruthless? Efficient? Or a bit lucky?

The next hour should sort out those questions.

Image source, Opta

A busy start to the afternoon. Two tries, Ireland dominant, but Wales ahead on the board.

Dan Biggar tries another cross-field kick which is expertly read by Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale, but he needs some glue on those fingers.

An intercept which any netballer would be proud of, but he can't make it stick.

Rob Jones
Former Wales scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live extra

Gareth Davies is a bit of a try-scoring machine but in fairness to him, he didn't have a lot to do there.

Another drop of the shoulder from Rob Kearney and the full-back bursts through the tackle, but the Welsh defence recovers as Leigh Halfpenny wraps his arms around the legs and wins the turnover.

Wales now with their first real attack of the game as Aaron Shingler takes them up to the 10-metre line.

Rob Jones
Former Wales scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live extra

Wales haven't committed anyone to the rucks, they're making the tackles, and then getting out of there, to form the defensive line. It means there's little time for Ireland to attack, but it's tremendously confident defending from Wales.

Image source, Reuters

In opening period, Ireland have had 62% possession.

But Wales get a vital turnover as Gareth Davies rips the ball out of green hands and they're finally into the Irish 22.

But the men in green are solid once again at the line-out as British and Irish Lion Peter O'Mahony leaps the highest.

Johnny Sexton with a beautiful inside pass to send through CJ Stander on the charge and Ireland are looking dangerous with ball in hand...

Brockerz: Not sure if it's the TV mics, but always immaculate silence for the kicker at the Aviva - regardless of who's kicking, especially compared to last night.

It's a nervous hush I expect with Sexton's kicking this afternoon...

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

I can't imagine we won't be talking about these eight missed points come the end of the game - they're surely going to have a big bearing on the game. Eight points is a huge margin in international rugby.

But Johnny Sexton can't punish Wales, and he misses a third kick in front of the sticks.

The Irish fly-half still to find his composure from the tee.

Aaron Shingler and Devin Toner are the most successful line-out jumpers of the Six Nations so far.

The big Irish lock plucks another one out of the air and from open play Wales give away yet another penalty for not releasing.

Prop Rob Evans staying in too long on Keith Earls this time, and that's his second penalty of the match.

Far and wide, players former and current are tuning in.

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Did referee Glen Jackson get in the way? It certainly looked to my eyes like a black shirt joined the line, and Conor Murray agrees.

Bundee Aki will also use that excuse, as the ball dribbles forward off the centre's hands. Wales with the put-in at the scrum, and that's a good clearing kick from Dan Biggar.