Irish ‘reserves’ keep winning vibe going
IRELAND’S second string maintained the feel-good factor currently enveloping Irish rugby with a convincing if hard-earned victory against a Canada side who, true to form, resisted stoutly before being outclassed at the death.
After the excitement of Chicago last week, Ireland opted to start with an entirely different XV which gave the returning heroes an afternoon off and a chance to come down off cloud nine while head coach Joe Schmidt was also mindful of giving valuable game time to other members of the squad.
Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien who are both on the comeback trail after recovering from serious injuries, certainly appreciated the game time and could yet come into contention for the much anticipated ‘return’ Test against New Zealand next week.
Ireland made a quick start with a try after just six minutes from Keith Earls, splendidly converted from the touchline by Paddy Jackson.
The Ulster fly-half, enjoying a fine game, was involved in Ireland’s second try with a beautifully floated pass to Luke Marshall who needed no second invitation and raced into the corner.
It all looked a bit ominous but Canada, to their immense credit, came storming back.
Firstly, the ever alert DTH van der Merwe intercepted a loose pass from Marshall to race in for a try, superbly converted from the touchline by Gordon McRorie, before Canada struck again, this time through Taylor Paris.
The big wing attached himself to a powerful rolling maul from the Canada pack after a lineout take from Evan Olmstead, and showed good poise to claim the touchdown. McRorie again added the extras with another magnificent kick.
Spirited stuff from the Canadian who probably deserved to be level at halftime but an enterprising try from Tiernan O’Halloran who showed some exceptional gas to sprint home from 45 years after a clever off-load by Finlay Bealham.
It had been a middling 40 minutes from Ireland but they looked much sharper straight after the break and in no time at all had forced a penalty try with an irresistible scrum.
Canada, though, refused to buckle entirely and came back with a fine try by Matt Evans who did wonderfully well to hold off O’Halloran to get the touchdown.
It was a fine, defiant moment but Ireland immediately upped the intensity from the kick off for Ultan Dillane to score after an angry looking attack.
Thereafter it was a case of Ireland adding gloss to their win with a try for Kieran Marmion, a second for O’Halloran and a concluding try for replacement hooker James Tracy.
And so now the attention once again settles on New Zealand and the very real chance of an historic series win over the All Blacks which would see Ireland’s cup overfloweth like never before.
With the Kiwis also ringing the changes in Italy and returned to full working order with their crushing win over the Azzurri the scene is set for the most anticipated match in Dublin for decades.