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Recap: Wales vs Ireland LIVE | Summer Series


Hadleigh Parkes celebrates after scoring Wales' only try versus Ireland in March (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Follow all the action from the World Cup warm-up match on the RugbyPass live blog as Wales host Ireland at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

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Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation from anywhere in the world in our Live Match Centre (click here).

Wales skipper for the day, Josh Navidi, has hailed Warren Gatland’s “second to none” contribution ahead of his final game in Cardiff as their head coach. Gatland takes charge of his 117th Wales Test in the warm-up clash against Ireland.

A Dublin return follows next weekend before Wales head to the World Cup in Japan, after which Gatland will end a 12-year tenure. Back row forward Navidi captains Wales for the first time and he readily acknowledges Gatland’s impact that is highlighted by three Six Nations Grand Slams and World Cup semi-final appearance.

“He has been massive – what he has achieved has been huge,” Navidi said. “He’s been a big part of rugby, and what he has brought to Welsh rugby is second to none. Hopefully, we give him a nice home send-off and then can concentrate on the World Cup.”

Gatland’s priority is the game and then selecting his 31-man World Cup squad, which he will reveal on Sunday, but he is certain to receive a rapturous Principality Stadium send-off. “It will be quite emotional,” Gatland said. “I’ve had an unbelievable time here in Wales, the people have made my time incredibly special.

“I’m trying to keep it in perspective. It’s something I will be thinking about, but it’s not about me. I will just have a personal reflection and look back on how memorable it’s been, without making a big fuss about it.”

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Gatland has made 14 changes from the side that accounted for England a fortnight ago, with only Scarlets flanker James Davies remaining. Meanwhile, Ireland have made 11 changes from their side which lost to the English last Saturday, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Jacob Stockdale and Bundee Aki their four survivors.

WATCH: The new season return of Don’t Mess With Jim, an episode where Jim Hamilton previews the World Cup, the best and worst haircuts in rugby and much more.

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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