Ireland edge home for World Cup pay-back

THE recent theme of entertaining, high scoring games continued at the Aviva yesterday in a match of sumptuous skills if occasionally sketchy defence in which ultimately Andy Farrell’s side had just too much for the visitors.

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

The Brave Blossoms again lit up a murky Dublin afternoon with their vibrant attacking approach but were a little too ill-disciplined in defence and at the tackle area and paid the cost.

They did, however, unveil another gem of a player in debutant wing Semisi Masirewa, a Fijian who played for Manawatau and Waikato before settling in Japan. Masirewa is no spring chicken at 29 but enjoyed a starting first appearance on the Test scene and adds further to Japan’s back three armoury.

Ireland nicked an entertaining if loose and occasionally error-strewn first half 19-17 although for long periods Japan seemed to be playing the better rugby.

Fly-half Yu Tamura opened up with a 40 metre penalty as the Brave Blossoms enjoyed the early pressure but big Chris Farrell forced his way over after Ireland’s first concerted attack to wrestle the initiative back with a try by the posts.