JI

Irish second string victorious but only just

As half-time approached the hosts, with 13 changes from the side that hammered South Africa last weekend, had cruised into a 17-3 lead as the Mexican Wave rolled around the Lansdowne Road venue.

Joey Carbery was running the show at out-half and Ireland had three tries on board as Darren Sweetnam, Dave Kearney and Jack Conan crossed the whitewash.

But wing magician Nemani Nadolo handed Fiji a lifeline before the break - and by the 48th minute the visitors were level.

The sides were still locked together as the game entered the final 10 minutes but the impact of Cian Healy and Keatley off the bench proved crucial.

Healy’s barnstorming runs gave Ireland fresh

Chris Farrell is contained by the Fiji defence