The visitors were outscored three tries to one, with Irish wing Keith Earls scoring two tries and scrum-half Tomas O’Leary also crossing the whitewash for the home side.

The key period in the game came when for the second time in the Championship Wales conceded two tries when down to 14 men as Lee Byrne was sin binned for killing the ball in the first half.

Ireland capitalised through Earls and O'Leary while the full-back was off the pitch - much to Gatland’s annoyance.

“The yellow card was very costly in the game. We haven’t learned our lesson from England, and from a coaching point of view that is very frustrating,” he said.

“We are very disappointed. Ireland were very good and very clinical. We had more territory and possession, but turnovers were costly for us.

“We are missing some key players at the moment - but it is something we are always working on.”