1
Ireland finish tour with perfect record after Japan win
Ireland made it three wins from three in their June internationals with another comfortable win over Japan.
Having seen off the Brave Blossoms 50-22 last time out, Joe Schmidt’s men claimed another routine triumph in Tokyo, easing to a 35-13 success.
The visitors crossed for four tries in the first half and, though Japan’s resilience stiffened in the second, a comeback was never likely.
Garry Ringrose opened the scoring in the third minute with his fourth international try, pouncing on a loose Japan pass, before Josh van der Flier powered over eight minutes later.
Jumpei Ogura answered for Japan with a penalty but Kieran Marmion put more daylight between the two sides as Ireland made it three tries in just 17 minutes.
Kotaro Matsushima dotted down for Japan’s first try but the contest was effectively beyond doubt by half-time after skipper Rhys Ruddock went over under the posts.
Yutaka Nagare saw a second-half score chalked off as he was ruled to have knocked on by the TMO, and that missed opportunity looked more crucial when Akihito Yamada capitalised on a deflected kick to make it 28-13.
Had Nagare’s try stood, Yamada’s effort could have set up a tense finish but instead the hosts were left with too much to do and Sean Reidy added late gloss to the scoreline for Ireland, Paddy Jackson perfect with the boot as he knocked over his fifth conversion.
ADVERTISEMENT
