Ireland in Tokyo triumph
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt praised his side’s resilience after a hard-fought win over Japan in Tokyo.
Tries by Garry Ringrose, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion and Rhys Ruddock gave the visitors a 28-8 half-time lead but they wilted in the heat and humidity after the break.
Ireland were kept at bay for most of the second half before sub flanker Sean Reidy added a late try.
Schmidt said: “That was very, very tough going. It was hot out there so it was great to get a good start and hang on at the finish.”
Ireland put on a terrific first-half display but the hosts roared back after the break with Kotaro Matsushima scoring a try to add to wing Akihito Yamada’s earlier effort.
Japan coach Jamie Joseph bemoaned his side’s lack of discipline, saying: “You just can’t give away so many silly penalties at Test match level.”