Ireland vs. Wales: Winners and Losers from International Match

Wales made another bound toward World Cup readiness on Saturday thanks to a 16-10 win over Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Leigh Leighpenny kicked 11 points as the Dragons sealed an important win over Ireland, with Justin Tipuric scoring a crucial 23rd-minute try for the hosts.

This latest win was the last chance for players to make their case before Joe Schmidt and Warren Gatland name their World Cup squads. We discuss the biggest winners and losers in further detail ahead.

Winner: Dan Biggar's Wales

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They say a team is only as good as its weakest link, but what that old adage fails to take into account is the boosting effect it can have for a side to have its best players around too.

James Hook fell flat at fly-half in Cardiff three weeks ago, and it should be known there are two versions of this Wales team—the Wales with Dan Biggar and the Wales that runs significantly off-pace without him.

The returned Ospreys talisman made a seamless transition back into Gatland's XV and facilitated Halfpenny's scoring, linking up well with usual half-back partner Rhys Webb to further realise how important a cog he is in the setup.

Having a pair of hands like those that belong to full-back Halfpenny assuredly helps, but Biggar is a keen technician in the high ball, too, a tactic that could work just as well for Wales as it did during the Six Nations.

Questions may well be asked regarding what Ireland have to offer should Biggar get injured at or even before the World Cup, but the contenders will cast such doubts from their mind in the knowledge their No. 10 is showing fine form at the opportune time.

Loser: Sam Warburton

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How ironic it is that such a morale-boosting win for Wales should come without their regular captain even present, with Sam Warburton rested for Saturday's momentous triumph in Dublin.

In his place, the back-row bastions of Dan Lydiate and Tipuric soared and assuredly did enough to advance their respective cases to start come the World Cup.

It's well-founded Wales are blessed in the flanker department, particularly at open-side, but some may even debate that after seeing Lydiate and Tipuric star so heavily in Ireland, Warburton may be benched.

Between them, Tipuric and Lydiate made a combined 43 tackles and the former clinched the deciding try, leading to the question of how Cardiff marvel Warburton can come back in without risking disruption.

Winner: European Chances

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Not that either team will care particularly how each other is getting on in their World Cup preparation, but Saturday's entertaining head-to-head battle served as a grand advertisement for the powers of European rugby.

Seldom is a meeting between Ireland and Wales called drab, and this weekend's affair was no different as the balance of power shifted from one side to the next on numerous occasions.

While it wasn't the highest-scoring tie, both Wales and Ireland showed superb defensive nous for the majority as their first XVs begin to take shape.

Of course, the likes of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia will still be looked upon as major threats, but the Northern Hemisphere certainly has its chance of producing just a second World Cup winner.

Loser: Scott Williams

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Three weeks after captaining Wales to a disappointing defeat in Cardiff, Scott Williams started against the Irish once more on Saturday in a match that went more to plan, but again didn't cover him in individual plaudits.

Wales' outside centre role is no longer about living up to the standards of injured Jonathan Davies, as it's an unfair pressure to put on most players, but Gatland will still demand a certain pedigree in all positions.

Back alongside Jamie Roberts in midfield, Williams surrendered three penalties and struggled to make the impact with ball in hand that Wales might have hoped for.

Roberts isn't necessarily the dynamic ball-carrier who can always be relied upon to cut a disguised run or come up with something unsuspected, so it's essential Williams improves in that sector to offer something different.

Winner: Luke Fitzgerald

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Versatility is a trait that rides high in the priorities of any international coach coming into a World Cup, and Luke Fitzgerald showed his with an impressive display from the less natural hub of outside centre.

The Leinster man has been unfortunate with injuries in recent years, but after a try-scoring display in the win over Scotland, Schmidt was eager to praise his star's ability, per David Kelly of the Irish Independent:

"

As for Luke, a couple of things slipped out of his hands, from one they went up the field and scored. He looked strong in the air and the ground, some great acceleration and footwork. And he finished that try superbly with Sam Hidalgo-Clyne coming across. He made something very difficult to do look very easy.

"

The Ireland helmsman is attempting to discover how deep his cover for No. 13 Jared Payne runs, and Fitzgerald may join the list of players capable of offering reinforcements, despite Saturday's defeat, where he gathered eight tackles.

With that being the case, Fitzgerald may have just realized his 2015 World Cup dream, which will come as a fitting reward for a player who has striven so hard to regain full fitness.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.