Andy Gray

BBC Sport NI Journalist at the Aviva Stadium

Ireland (28) 52

Tries: Doris, van der Flier, Casey, Hansen 2, Aki, McCarthy, Kelleher Cons: Prendergast 5, Casey

Fiji (3) 17

Tries: Salawa, Turagacoke Cons: Muntz 2 Pens: Muntz

Ireland place of their most convincing performance of the autumn internationals with a 52-17 victory over Fiji in Dublin.

Heading into their third fixture off the lend a hand off a defeat by the All Blacks and a slim, traumatic gain over Argentina, a worthy-changed Irish side dominated Fiji from the off.

Captain Caelan Doris, one of eight gamers to retain their role from the slim gain over the Pumas, crashed over within the fourth minute.

Minutes after kicking his first aspects in Ireland colours, Sam Prendergast became sent to the sin-bin but Andy Farrell’s side rallied and Josh van der Flier touched down within the 14th minute.

Craig Casey and Mack Hansen, from Prendergast’s inappropriate-discipline kick, added extra ratings before half-time as the hosts led 28-3 at the spoil.

Bundee Aki crossed seven minutes into the 2nd half before Kitione Salawa hit lend a hand for the Fijians.

McCarthy, who had already chalked up three assists, drove over from a maul to spark a chaotic 5-minute spell.

Setareki Turagacoke crossed for Fiji before the substitute became confirmed a yellow card, and Hansen grabbed his 2nd are attempting as he dived over within the nook.

Ronan Kelleher scored an eighth are attempting within the final minute to spherical out a convincing gain in Dublin.

After a stuttering autumn sequence, it presents Andy Farrell’s side some worthy-crucial momentum heading into their final match in opposition to Australia, coached by dilapidated Ireland boss Joe Schmidt, on Saturday.

After a mixed originate to their autumn, Farrell made seven adjustments and handed debuts to hooker Gus McCarthy and Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu, alongside with a predominant originate for Prendergast as the come across Johnny Sexton’s inheritor at fly-half continued.

It became a heat ambiance on a steady afternoon in Dublin, as the Fijian gamers bowed while being launched to Irish president Michael D Higgins, which became met by a spherical of applause by the Irish enhance.

Alternatively, the injection the crowd required got here when debutant McCarthy popped the ball lend a hand inner to Doris from a maul and the Irish captain crashed over.

Prendergast kicked his first aspects in an Ireland jersey, but minutes later the fly-half became sent to the sin-bin for a careless shoulder take a look at on Kitone Salawa.

Fiji practically straight capitalised when Luke Tagi went flying down the wonderful fly and popped the ball to Jiuta Wainiqolo, who gave the impression to contact down but his outstretched arm got here up correct short before the ball became lost forward.

No topic being a man down, Robbie Henshaw made a stable spoil into the 22 before Jacob Stockdale became brought down correct short.

Alternatively, the Fijians infringed at the breakdown and, after taking the tap and wander from the ensuing penalty, Van der Flier powered his strategy over the line for a 2nd Irish glean.

With Prendergast clean on the sidelines, scrum-half Casey landed a stable conversion.

Fiji obtained on the board thru Caleb Muntz’s properly-taken penalty, but there became an instantaneous setback as Eroni Mawi became yellow carded for a tip tackle on Doris correct as Prendergast returned to the discipline.

Izuchukwu conception he had prolonged Ireland’s lead on his debut when he crossed after a scintillating Irish assault, but play became brought lend a hand by referee Hollie Davidson for a forward pass by Mack Hansen.

Alternatively, Ireland spoke back and Casey grabbed his first world are attempting as he jumped over within the nook with an athletic quit from McCarthy’s pass off the lend a hand of a maul.

Prendergast added the not easy conversion before his brightest 2nd of his mixed first originate an Ireland shirt.

The 21-twelve months-dilapidated spotted Hansen out large off the lend a hand of a scrum, and the his dash-glorious kick became gathered by the Connacht fly with the clock within the pink.

Prendergast’s third conversion went in off the put up as Ireland ended the half with a cushty buffer.

Stockdale practically obtained in wonderful at the originate of the 2nd half after a good flat pass by Prendergast, but Ireland showcased their dominance with Aki’s are attempting within the forty sixth minute.

After more tidy hands by Izuchukwu and Casey, McCarthy’s impressive debut continued as he made some yards within the 22 and unselfishly stumbled on Aki, who became in a position to inappropriate unchallenged.

Stockdale, on his first Ireland originate in 15 months, became compelled off with an hurt, that will perhaps even be a anguish for Ulster with their European advertising campaign correct two weeks away, and Fiji capitalised on a makeshift Irish backline when Salawa crossed for their first are attempting of the match off a line-out, and Muntz added the conversion.

Conor Murray, taking part in on the fly after Stockdale’s hurt, became denied a are attempting as he gathered a pass by Ciaran Frawley, but Davidson once more ruled it became forward and the glean became straight chalked off.

But McCarthy, who has correct six appearances for Leinster, capped a good Ireland debut as he powered over from a maul, which Prendergast converted, before chaos ensued as Fiji sprinted up the different end of the pitch and substitute Setareki Turagacoke crossed unchallenged.

The are attempting-scorer became then sent to the sin-bin for a tackle on Casey, and Hansen straight capitalised as he crossed to lift a frantic 5-minute spell to a shut.

Alternative Kelleher scored within the final minute to cap a stable Irish performance, and eyes will now swap to a final autumn match with the Wallabies next Saturday.

Ireland: Jamie Osborne; Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Sam Prendergast, Craig Casey; Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Beirne; Cormac Izuchukwu, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (capt).

Replacements: Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Thomas Clarkson, Iain Henderson, Cian Prendergast, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Stuart McCloskey.

Sin-bin: Prendergast

Fiji: Vuate Karawalevu; Jiuta Wainiqolo, Wausea Nayacalevu (co-capt), Joshua Tuisova, Ponipate Loganimasi; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere (co-capt), Luke Tagi; Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua; Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Kitone Salawa, Elia Canakaivata.

Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Haereiti Hetet, Samu Tawake, Setareki Turagacoke, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Vilmoni Botitu, Sireli Maqal.

Sin-bin: Mawi, Turagacoke

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

Connected topics