Welcome to our LIVE coverage of this opening match of the Six Nations.

Wales pile in at the corner from the throw, but it looks like Adam Jones is held up. They recycle, and are just four metres out...

Wales have a penalty deep in the 22m, and Jamie Heaslip is told to instruct his men not to interfere at the breakdown. Wales kick for the corner, as they must.

Wales are not done fighting just yet: from the restart they are quickly up into the 22m, with Cuthbert briefly looking like he'll break through before getting brought down with three green shirts hanging off him.

This is absololutely devastating for Wales - they look like they'll be contenders for the Wooden Spoon rather than the Six Nations trophy the way this is going.

The try was almost in the corner, but nothing is going wrong for Ireland today: Sexton crunches his kick low, hard and right through the middle. 30-3.

It's another try for Ireland! And it's Brian O'Driscoll! The legend picks up the ball on the right flank, fights his way almost to the line, recycles after getting stopped short, but then regains his feet and collects the ball from the breakdown to touch down! Magnificent, dogged work from O'Driscoll.

Excellent restart for Ireland as they charge forwards and put pressure on once more...

The match gets back under way, and we can only guess at what Wales coach Rob Howley told his troops at half time. Try not to make it too embarassing must have been the gist of it.

Possession and territory stats are almost 50/50 in that half - it's what Ireland have done with the ball when they have it that's been the difference. More enterprise and fewer mistakes = 20 point lead.

Hard to believe what we're witnessing in Cardiff this afternoon: Wales look almost certain to make it eight consecutive defeats. The home side have been often sloppy and given away silly penalties, while Ireland have been ruthless taking their chances and superb in defence.

The last action of the half is Sexton knocking that formality of a kick through, and Ireland lead 23-3 at half-time!

They can! Aaron Shingler is penalised for not rolling away after tackling Rory Best, and Sexton will have a chance from well inside the 22m and almost in front of the posts.

Ireland recylcling the ball well, looking for an opening in Wales's defence - can they increase this lead still further?

Ireland clear to touch, then kick again after winning the throw - and win a penalty as Warburton obstructs Ireland's chasers from getting to Alex Cuthbert. Ireland kick again, and have a throw in the 22m.

The pressure fails! Wales finally push their luck a little too far as Jamie Roberts is tempted into hanging onto the ball in the tackle, just three metres from the line. Penalty to Ireland, and they'll breathe a huge sigh of relief for weathering that storm.

Cuthbert and Faletau almost make it over in the right corner, but there's a breakdown. Wales pick and drive... 6m out now....

Ireland defending well, making the 22m a concrete wall - but Wales still recyling flawlessly...

Nice running by Wales as they slide it out wide to the left, North finally getting the ball into the 22m. Still keeping their discipline...

Ireland keeping Wales pegged back, with O'Driscoll demolishing Andrew Coombs with an outragrous tackle. Magnificent.

Long way back for Wales from here, but they seem up for it as they try to run the ball out of their own half from the restart.

Leigh Halfpenny will take the shot at goal - and makes no mistake, slotting it straight through. Ireland's lead cut to 20-3.