Dublin (AFP)

Efficient if not brilliant, Ireland beat Wales 32-9 on Friday in Dublin to open the Autumn Nations Cup, a new rugby competition bringing together eight teams, those of the Six Nations and two guests, Fiji and Georgia.

This inaugural victory of the XV of Clover was however tarnished by the exit of captain Johnny Sexton, from the 29th minute.

It is an opposition between teams "injured", had predicted Sexton before this meeting.

The 35-year-old opener didn't think so well.

While celebrating his 100th selection, he was forced to give up his place, visibly affected in the hamstrings, when the XV of Clover led 13-3.

If Ireland had to do without the services of its captain, it has returned to success thanks in particular to the foot of the neo-cape Billy Burns and a test at the end of the meeting by the winger of New Zealand origin James Lowe , which was also the first selection.

The Irish remained on a defeat in Paris (35-27) which had ended their hopes of winning the Six Nations Tournament, finally finished in third place.

The XV du Leek continues its black streak with a sixth consecutive defeat.

A sad way for captain Alun Wyn Jones to honor his 150th selection.

After 10 tense first minutes, Sexton scored the first three points of the match on a penalty (3-0, 11th) to which Leigh Halfpenny responded a few minutes later (3-3, 17th).

- Ireland takes off -

The Irish took off thanks to a try from their second row of South African origin Quinn Roux (23rd) and the precision of Sexton (13-3) before the 35-year-old opener was forced out.

Billy Burns, 26, replaced the Irish captain.

After a reduction in the score of Halfpenny (13-6), the Ulster player registered his first international points to allow the XV of Clover to lead by ten points at the break (16-6).

In the second period, Halfpenny again reduced the mark (16-9, 50th) before Burns managed a new penalty (19-9, 54th).

At the end of the game, the players of Andy Farrell, got back to the foot of Conor Murray, entered in place of Burns, and author of two penalties (25-9, 72nd).

The Irish added a second try on the wire thanks to James Lowe (80 + 2) and clinched their first success (32-9) in this new competition which brings together eight teams divided into two groups.

An event created to help federations cope with the economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

With this victory, Ireland takes the lead of Pool A ahead of the Welsh while awaiting the meeting between England and Georgia who face each other in London on Saturday.

In Pool B, Italy welcomes Scotland to Florence on Saturday while the match between France and Fiji scheduled for Sunday was canceled after cases of Covid-19 contamination in the Fijian workforce.

© 2020 AFP