DUBLIN, 18 August 2003 — Ireland began their rugby union World Cup build-up with a comfortable 35-12 victory over an inexperienced Welsh side on Saturday, outscoring the visitors by five tries to two. The home side never found top gear, but were too strong for an experimental Welsh line-up featuring six uncapped players in their 22-man squad.

“These games have been called friendlies, and we’ve treated them that way,” said Wales coach Steve Hansen. “I thought the team that played today could have played better, but the main thing is they got the experience of playing in a test match...some of them will go on and get a lot more of it.”

Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan was pleased with his side’s performance, but also paid tribute to Wales’ dogged defense.

“That team was written off earlier in the week, but it took a lot to wear them down, and even at the end they kept coming at us and coming at us,” he said. “It was a competitive game and their was no quarter asked or given — both teams were very tired at the end.” With a gentle breeze cooling the warm August sunshine, conditions at Lansdowne Road were perfect for running rugby, and both teams looked to spread the ball wide from the start. Ireland looked the more dangerous, and with less than five minutes gone lock Paul O’Connell scored the first of his two tries when he finished off a series of attacking phases. Flyhalf David Humphreys converted. With 10 minutes gone Wales stole possession after O’Connell had gathered a lineout throw on his own line, and the ball was shipped quickly to the right wing for Wales captain Gareth Thomas to score in the opposite corner.

Ireland captain Keith Wood, who returned to the side after an 11-month absence due to injury and whose every touch was cheered by a barely half-full Lansdowne Road, nearly scored soon after, but referee Joel Dume ruled he had made a double movement after being tackled just short.

Ireland continued to attack, but were thwarted by a stout Welsh defense with Wood and center Brian O’Driscoll the recipients of several thumping tackles. However, after a sustained period of attack, flanker Alan Quinlan, a late replacement for Victor Costello, crashed over beneath the posts, which was converted by Humphreys to give Ireland a 14-5 lead at halftime.

El Masri Equals World Goalkicking Record

In Sydney, Canterbury winger Hazem El Masri equaled rugby league’s world record for consecutive goals as the Bulldogs moved into third place on the National Rugby League ladder with a 56-24 win over Manly yesterday. El Masri kicked his 35th goal in succession just before half-time to equal a record set by former New Zealand international Henry Paul in England two years ago.

El Masri’s record-equaling feat came as the Bulldogs produced another sensational performance, racing in 10 tries including three to winger Matt Utai. It was the third week in a row the New Zealand Test winger had scored a hat-trick of tries.

In other games Melbourne ended Parramatta’s slim finals hopes and gave their own a boost with a 50-12 thumping of the Eels at Olympic Park.