Ireland's hopes of beating Wales and picking up the six points we desperately need to earn a crack at a World Cup play-off have been boosted by the news that Gareth Bale won't be there to get in our way.
Wales have today ruled him out of their remaining qualifiers against Georgia and the Republic of Ireland with a hamstring injury sustained while playing for Real Madrid.
Bale was relatively subdued in Dublin - his only major impact in the game was a fizzing shot from distance and a red card-worthy tackle on John O'Shea - but he remains perhaps the greatest player to ever play for Wales, and were he fit, would naturally be an integral part of Chris Coleman's plans. That said, Bale has not been as critical to Wales in recent months as previous: his four-year reign as Welsh Player of the Year ended last night, with Chris Gunter getting the gong instead.
While Ireland are in a position of weakness in the group, Wales need to beat pesky Georgia on Friday to keep us at arm's length. That will be a more difficult without the brilliant Bale.
More to follow
