LIGHTNING SEEDS!

Action was unremarkable but win was significant

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BY DEREK FOLEY Ireland 41 Japan 10 POST-THE return of the boss after a year away, post-the All Blacks defeat in Chicago, the plusses were in short supply on Saturday as Ireland put a 31-point win, three late tries adding gloss, on Japan at the Aviva.

At the same time, though, it was a significant result as it battened down an important 2027 RWC hatch.

Combined with Scotland's loss to New Zealand, Australia’s to Italy and France losing to South Africa later that night, Ireland will make the December 3 World Cup draw as a top-six seed, guaranteeing they will head up one of the pools.

As it was, the early lineouts were poor forcing an unusually large percentage to be thrown to the front thereafter, the scrum was so-so, the penalty-count was good at eight, while 15 turnovers was high but represented the open nature of the contest.

There was little gleaned about the battle for the no10 shirt, Jack Crowley started and set up the win as well as nailing an excellent first-half try.