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:
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 42 minutes
Kieran Treadwell thunders on to a pass, hitting a lusty line to nearly make a telling cut. But Fiji reform defensively, and Mack Hansen fumbles an inside pass.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 41 minutes
We’ve seen precious little of Jiuta Wainiqolo so far today, which is a shame, but the creative wing makes a metre or two with some jab-stepping after taking the kick off.
Back row colleague Setareki Tuicuvu makes a mess of an Irish kick and hurries a clearance away, making only 15 metres or so. Ireland lineout just outside the Fijian 22 - but the hosts are down to 14 for now with Jimmy O’Brien receiving treatment in the backfield.
Back out there
Fiji are already assembled for the restart as the Irish XV stomp back on to the pitch. Joey Carbery will get the second 40 minutes underway.
Action elsewhere
A rather tasty result is brewing in Florence - Italy are good value for a 17-8 half-time lead against Australia.
The angel-faced Ange Capuozzo finished off this beauty of a score.
H/T: Ireland 21-10 Fiji
Three tries for Ireland, but you suspect Andy Farrell won’t be entirely happy with that first half performance. The home side have had plenty of ball in the Fijian 22 but have been a little short of accuracy at times, with the visitors improving defensively as the half wore on.
Fiji faded in the second half against Scotland last week - can they produce a better showing after the interval this?
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 40 minutes
Fiji earn a turnover penalty, though, and that’ll do us for the first half.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 39 minutes
Fiji’s lineout is again messy, but Frank Lomani slithers between the forward bodies to ensure his side have some form of ball with which to work.
But not for long! A forthright counter-ruck is triggered by a secure Garry Ringrose tackle behind the gainline, and Ireland have the ball. Toed up the left, Fiji forced out - Ireland again with a lineout to throw deep beyond enemy lines.
Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 38 minutes
Steelier stuff from Fiji. A stern inspection of an Irish carrier’s ribs forces a knock on, and Eroni Mawi then drives through Tadhg Furlong at the scrum.
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