Young Irish side put World Cup foes Japan to the sword
JOE SCHMIDT’S youthful Ireland side continued their impressive form with a 50-22 victory over Japan at Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka.
Having trounced the US Eagles 55-19 in New Jersey last weekend, 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.
Ireland drew first blood in the sixth minute when Paddy Jackson fired home a penalty for Japan straying offside.
Minutes later, a monstrous scrum from the Irish pack shoved their Japanese counterparts off their own ball with Conan seizing possession and charging downfield. The Leinster player then offloaded superbly to Keith Earls, who raced away for the opening try. Jackson nailed the extras to make it 10-0.
There was brief respite for Japan when Conan was penalised for obstruction at the ruck allowing Japan fly-half Yu Tamura to make it 10-3 from the tee.
Earls, who is having a storming month, scythed through the Japanese defence but was hauled down metres short of the line. Cian Healy powered on from the next ruck before tighthead Heiichiro Ito was subsequently sent to the sin-bin by referee Marius van der Westhuizen for killing the ball in the deck.
Ireland took full advantage as Jackson kicked to the corner. From the resulting lineout, Quinn Roux rose high to take the ball before feeding the onrushing Leavy who steamrolled over opposite number Yoshita Tokunaga to score.
It was all too easy as
JAPAN 22 IrELAND 50
Earls went through a yawning gap before offloading to Leavy who went over for his second try in as many minutes. Jackson converted both tries to make 24-3 with 30 minutes gone to leave the home side reeling.
Things went from bad to worse for Japan as Conan raced onto Earls’ deft pass to canter over from 20 metres for Ireland’s fourth try of the first half. Jackson fired over the touchline conversion as Ireland headed for the half-time break 31-3 to the good.
It was far too easy as Conan raced through some flimsy Japanese defence to bag his brace early in the second half. Jackson continued his fine form from the tee as Ireland stretched their lead to 33 points.
The Brave Blossoms were finally rewarded with their first try of the game as Noguchi powered over from close range. Substitute Rikiya Matsuda added the conversion to make it 38-10 on the hour mark.
Normal service resumed when Ringrose jinked his way past Japan flanker Michael Leitch to register Ireland’s sixth try. Rory Scannell fired over the touchline conversion.
Replacement loosehead Dave Kilcoyne punched a huge hole in a tiring Japan defence to get Ireland on the front foot once more. Leavy carried strongly again before Earls picked up at the base of the ruck to sneak over for his second try as Ireland hit the 50-point mark.
Japan finished strongly with Fukuoka racing past Ireland scrum-half Luke McGrath for a late score while Nagare had the final say with a try at the death, but they were merely consolations.