RUGBY ROUND-UP

IRELAND’S second-string saw off Canada 52-21 but most likely failed to sway boss Joe Schmidt’s selection for the New Zealand rematch next weekend.

Ireland racked up eight tries at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium – but laboured for nine first-half minutes with the scores locked at 14-14.

Tiernan O’Halloran claimed a brace, with Keith Earls, Luke Marshall, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion and James Tracy all crossing, and a penalty try completing a comfortable but sloppy victory.

Ireland changed their entire line-up from the XV that gained the historic maiden victory over the All Blacks last weekend, the 40-29 win in Chicago.

But a piecemeal performance denied fit-again senior men Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien the chance to state a serious case for selection when New Zealand pitch up in Dublin next weekend.

Scarlets wing DTH Van der Merwe, Taylor Paris and Cornish Pirates’ Matt Evans claimed Canada’s tries in a solid showing.

Elsewhere, New Zealand put Italy to the sword as they ran in 10 tries at Rome’s Stadio Olympico in a 68-10 victory.

Malakai Fekitoa (two), Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Israel Dagg, Wyatt Crockett, Steven Luatua, Elliot Dixon, Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo scored for the All Blacks, with fly-half Aaron Cruden kicking seven conversions and Lima Sopoaga two.

Italy’s points came from the boot of Carlo Canna, with Tommaso Allan scoring their only try in the second half with Tommaso Boni adding the conversion

New Zealand scored five tries in the first half, with Fekitoa touching down in the fourth minute and Cruden converting, only for Canna to cut the deficit shortly after with a penalty to make it 7-3.

Faumuina extended the lead in the 15th minute and Tuipulotu crossed five minutes later, with Dagg and Crockett also touching down before the break as Cruden did not miss from the tee. Luatua continued the scoring four minutes into the second half before Fekitoa claimed his second and Dixon got his first Test try. Ioane and Naholo also crossed and Sopoaga took over kicking duties from Cruden with two successful conversions.

Meanwhile in Toulouse, France ran out convincing 52-8 victors over Samoa.