YOUTHFUL IRISH STEP ALL OVER THE BLOSSOMS
JOE SCHMIDT’S young Irish side continued their impressive form with a thumping victory over Japan in Shizuoka.
Having trounced the US Eagles 55-19 in New Jersey last week, Ireland travelled to Tokyo to take in two Tests against the Brave Blossoms, who they will face in Pool A at the 2019 World Cup.
Missing 11 frontline players on British and Irish Lions duty and with Test stalwarts such as Jamie Heaslip, Rob Kearney and Sean Cronin taking the summer off to recover from injuries, Schmidt is using the tour to broaden his base of talent as Ireland build towards the World Cup.
The Irish were cruising 31-3 at the break thanks to a score from Keith Earls, a brace from flanker Dan Leavy on his first Test start, and an effort from Jack Conan.
The onslaught continued as Conan, Garry Ringrose and Earls added further tries after the break. Fly-half Paddy Jackson added 13 points with Rory Scannell kicking a conversion.
Japan replied with tries from Ryuji Noguchi, Kenki Fukuoka and Yataka Nagare.
Schmidt said: ‘We controlled the first half but the Japanese are a danger when they get time and space on the ball. They were super in the last quarter.’
FIJI snatched a dramatic victory over Italy in Suva after fly-half Ben Volavola kicked an 82nd-minute drop goal. With the score locked at 19-19, the game looked set to finish all-square. But, two minutes after the full-time siren had sounded, Volavola put over the three points for the Fijians, who play Scotland next weekend.