IRELAND BACK TO WINNING WAYS IN SCRAPPY TIE

▶ Captain Sexton admits team has ‘plenty to work on’ after laboured second-half performance against Russia

Ireland began to put their World Cup back on track after the shock loss to Japan – but it took them over an hour to secure a bonus point and strengthen their quarter-final chances in an unconvincing 35-0 win over a stubborn Russia.

Ireland just need to beat Samoa to reach the last eight and can finish top of the pool if Japan slip up, but the fact Joe Schmidt’s side struggled to put away such a limited team will do little for fans’ waning hopes of reaching a first semi-final.

Rob Kearney, Peter O’Mahony and Rhys Ruddock scored firsthalf tries before Andrew Conway secured the bonus point after the break. Garry Ringrose’s late try finished off a laboured second-half performance.

“We are delighted to get a good win and get back on the horse after last week,” Ireland captain Johnny Sexton said after the match on Thursday.

“To pick up the bonus point was exactly what we were looking for tonight and to keep them to zero.

“They’re a very well-organised team and they made it tough for us at times. The conditions were very difficult and the ball was very slippery, so pleased to get the five points but still lots to work on.”

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has insisted Sexton will be “fine” to face Samoa in their next match, despite the fly-half left icing his troublesome thigh after being withdrawn.

Jordi Murphy lasted just 26 minutes before departing with a rib problem, having only arrived in Japan midweek to replace the injured Jack Conan.

Joey Carbery was a late withdrawal having suffered another ankle complaint, but Schmidt insisted both men will be ready.

“Johnny’s all good and will be fine for Samoa, and Joey is good,” Schmidt said.

“I think Joey would have been okay to play, but Conor Murray was very keen to play. So Joey is, hopefully, fine.

“Jordi just got squeezed in the ribs, so he may have popped a rib there. We’re just going to get him checked out.”

Only a commanding win would have sufficed with the shock in Shizuoka still reverberating around the tournament and it looked on the cards when Rob Kearney, who scored in the 62-12 trashing of Russia in the 2011 World Cup, touched down after 90 seconds.

Sexton, who was not risked against Japan due to a thigh injury, appeared to have Ireland rushing towards the bonus point when his 13th-minute dink through was carried over by flanker O’Mahony for his second try in 62 Tests.

Yet Russia remained competitive with Ramil Gaisin’s smart kicking helping to keep Ireland at bay for another 20 minutes.

While some basic errors cost the world No 20 side early on, Ireland could only manage a solitary Ruddock try when Bogdan Fedotko and Andrey Ostrikov were yellow carded either side of half time for The Bears.

Sexton, captaining his country for the first time, kicked flawlessly before being replaced at half time and Ireland’s focus left with him in an error-strewn second half.

The greasy surface played a part in Ireland’s scrappiness before Andrew Conway was put through for his second try of the tournament on 62 minutes.

Centre Ringrose added his second try in as many games to give the scoreline a less flattering look than the Russians’ efforts deserved.

“We are delighted with our performance, we came here to make it really hard for Ireland to score the four tries. I’m so proud of the players, they gave absolutely everything,” Russia coach Lyn Jones said.

“We played for 60 minutes there without conceding a try. That is quite a performance for us, I can tell you.

“I’m delighted. It’s a big day for Russian rugby.”

The win puts Ireland on 11 points in Pool A, while unbeaten Japan (nine) face Samoa (five) on Saturday. Scotland also have five points and play Russia next Wednesday.

We played for 60 minutes without conceding a try. That is quite a performance for us. It’s a big day for Russian rugby LYN JONES Russia coach