Ireland seem to have a hangover

UNIMPRESSIVE: FIVE TRIES BUT IT WAS NEVER A STROLL

Kobe

Ireland returned to winning ways at the Rugby World Cup but were far from impressive in a 35-0 victory over Russia in Kobe yesterday. For all Ireland, the victims of a shock 19-12 defeat by hosts Japan last weekend, had made 11 changes, the fact it took them more an hour to secure a bonus point against the gutsy Russians would have been a cause for concern. Victory also came at a cost. Flyhalf Joey Carbery withdrew from the bench shortly before kick-off with a longstanding ankle problem, while No 8 Jordi Murphy, who only arrived a few days ago after Jack Conan was ruled out, wentoff before half-time.

The result was rarely in doubt, with Rob Kearney scoring the first of Ireland’s five tries 90 seconds into the match.

Peter O’Mahony and Rhys Ruddock also crossed Russia’s line in the opening period with star flyhalf Johnny Sexton, captaining Ireland for the first time after he missed the Japan loss with a thigh injury, converting all three tries before he departed at half-time.

Kearney opened the scoring in under two minutes.

Second row Jean Kleyn’s clever inside pass released Kearney and the veteran fullback carved his way round Russia leftwing Denis Simplikevich from 40 metres out.

Sexton made light of a difficult conversion.

But Russia, led by fullback Vasily Artemyev, harried Ireland with good use of the Garryowen – the name given to high kicks in rugby in honour of the Irish club that pioneered the tactic.

When Ireland returned to Russia’s 22, however, they had their second try in the 13th minute with Sexton’s clever grubber kick allowing onrushing flanker O’Mahony to score by the posts.

Russia were forced into a huge defensive effort near their own line and lost lock Bogdan Fedotko to a yellow card in the 34th minute.

Moments later, Ireland’s pressure told when blindside flanker Ruddock powered over for a try.

In the 62nd minute Jack Carty’s chip ahead was regathered by Keith Earls and he sent in Andrew Conway, whose uncle Mark McDermott is a member of Russia’s coaching staff.

And four minutes from time Ringrose went in for a fifth. –

Picture: AFP PUT IT THERE. Irish wing Andrew Conway (left) celebrates his try with team-mate Garry Ringrose during their Pool A match against Russia at the Kobe Misaki Stadium yesterday.