Ireland vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from autumn international as Ireland cruise to win
Ireland 35-17 Fiji: Nick Timoney scored twice as Ireland ran in five tries against their 14-man opponents
Ireland convincingly beat 14-man Fiji in Dublin as they ran in five tries during a 35-17 win.
Nick Timoney went over twice, while Robert Baloucoune, Mack Hansen and Cian Healy also dotted down for the hosts. Fiji showed flashes of their ability with two superb scores from Kalaveti Ravouvou and Simione Kuruvoli but Albert Tuisue’s red card for a high hit on Joey Carbery ended any realistic chance of victory.
Last week, Ireland showcased why they are the number one side in the world with a hard-fought win over world champions South Africa. Fiji didn’t pose the same test but the hosts were clinical enough when they needed to be.
Andy Farrell made wholesale changes to his team with a further Test against Australia to come next weekend and some of the new faces laid down a marker as the like of Timoney, Kieran Treadwell and Stuart McCloskey all shone to give their coach something to think about.
Relive the action as Ireland beat Fiji in Dublin:
Team News - England
A late change for the hosts, with Jack Nowell ruled out with an abdominal issue that hasn’t sufficiently healed. In comes Joe Cokanasiga, adding some power to an England side that has placed an emphasis on pace this week, partly due to the threat Japan pose and partly due to a slightly profligate performance against Argentina. To that end, Sam Simmonds takes the spot at number eight from Billy Vunipola, while Jack van Poortvliet will add a bit more zip from the start at scrum half.
Jonny May has endured a horrible year of injury and illness woe, but has looked sharp enough in training to come straight in from the start, but Manu Tuilagi’s minutes are being carefully managed, necessitating a first home appearance in an England shirt for Guy Porter. So, too, for Dave Ribbans, unused off the bench last week and thus making his debut in the engine room.
England XV: E Genge, L Cowan-Dickie, K Sinckler; D Ribbans, J Hill; M Itoje, T Curry, S Simmonds; J van Poorvliet, M Smith; J May, O Farrell (capt.), G Porter, J Cokanasiga; F Steward.
Replacements: J George, M Vunipola, J Heyes, A Coles, B Vunipola; B Youngs, H Slade, M Tuilagi
F/T: IRELAND 35-17 FIJI
Reasonably scratchy from Ireland, but another win for the top ranked side in the world. The wounded Wallabies are up next at the Aviva next weekend.
We’ll have plenty more reaction to Ireland’s win across the rest of the weekend, but kick off is very, very near at Twickenham, so let’s switch our focus to England vs Japan.
Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 80 minutes
Or not! Free kick at the scrum to Ireland and they may be content to take us to a close.
Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 79 minutes
Fiji make their tackles and drive through a ruck, allowing them a chance to add another late score. Ireland’s counter-ruck is illegal; Simione Kuruvoli taps and goes.
Nearly away! Waisea Nayacalevu brushes off makeshift wing Jamison Gibson-Park but can’t quite find a supporting player with his inside pass. Irish hands knock the ball on - this will be the last chance for Fiji.
Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 78 minutes
Yes, Gibson-Park is on to the left wing as the Irish forwards win a penalty, Tadhg Beirne’s jackal again proving profitable.
Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 77 minutes
Mack Hansen sends a kick out on the full as two-try Nick Timoney is named Player of the Match - there haven’t been too many in Irish green to really give Andy Farrell a selection headache, but the flanker has been among the standouts.
Jimmy O’Brien departs for a head injury assessment. Jamison Gibson-Park returns, which will mean some major reshaping for Ireland. The starting scrum-half has gone on to the wing, I think.
TRY! IRELAND 35-17 Fiji (Cian Healy, 75 minutes)
Cap number 120 and international try number nine for Cian Healy!
The veteran prop provides the final punchy plough forward after a series of strong close-in carries from the Irish forwards.
Jack Crowley puts over the additional two points.
Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 73 minutes
Dan Sheehan is on as Ireland launch another offensive deep in the Fijian half. The replacement hooker is dragged back to the five-metre line but the possession is quick for Ireland.
Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 71 minutes
Ben Donaldson, on debut, to win it for Australia...it’s away to the right! ITALY BEAT AUSTRALIA! Good heavens - what a win and what a year for Kieran Crowley’s side, who really are a team of genuine promise.
Events in Dublin rather less dramatic, as evidenced by an idle crowd producing a Mexican wave as Fiji prepare to feed a scrum.
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