Rugby World Cup 2019: Ireland 27-3 Scotland

Ireland eased to a 27-3 Pool A win over Scotland in Yokohama on Sunday after a dominant first half in their Rugby World Cup opener.

With both sides looking for a strong start to surely avoid a quarter-final against New Zealand by topping the group, it was Joe Schmidt’s top-ranked side who quickly accelerated out of sight.

James Ryan, Rory Best and Tadhg Furlong all crossed inside the opening 25 minutes and there was no way back for Scotland, who also had Hamish Watson carted off with a concerning knee injury before the break.

A scrappy second half was hampered by wet weather but Ireland claimed the bonus point with Andrew Conway’s try shortly before the hour-mark.

It took Ireland just six minutes to take control, with Iain Henderson charging through a series of tackles to get his side to within touching distance of the try line, allowing Ryan to finally power over.

That lead was soon stretched further as Best drove Ireland forward at the back of a relentless maul following a lineout and, even with Ryan Wilson also able to get hands on the ball, twisted his body to touch down.

Greig Laidlaw dispatched a penalty to at least get Scotland on the scoreboard, but there was no stopping Ireland and they too easily found space following a scrum under the posts for Furlong to get the third.

Significant rainfall early in the second half added another dimension to the contest and slowed the attempted Scottish response.

Instead, Conway challenged for a high kick from the excellent Conor Murray and ultimately profited, with the wing found free on the right to dance inside one challenge and score.

#RWC2019 #IREvSCO #RWCYokohama pic.twitter.com/k0DVbZl6dy

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 22, 2019

Jack Carty, on for Johnny Sexton, added further gloss to the scoreline with a penalty, as even a yellow card for Tadhg Beirne – for failing to release – did not allow Scotland to belatedly reply.
 

Irish power too much

Scotland were largely able to match Ireland in terms of possession, but each and every error in the midfield was preyed upon. CJ Stander was particularly proficient at finding gaps and Schmidt’s men were simply too strong for their opponents once within sight of the try line.

Sexton suffering?

Scotland assistant coach Matt Taylor had suggested they were going to “smash” Sexton, as they had in the Six Nations. In truth, they struggled to get close enough to the World Rugby Player of the Year, yet there was still concern for Ireland. The fly-half twice received treatment to his right thigh in the first half.

Murray was handed kicking duties before Carty later replaced Sexton.

Key Opta Facts

– Ireland’s 24-point win was their fourth biggest Test victory against Scotland and their biggest since winning by 30 points (40-10) at Murrayfield in 2015.

– Ireland have won their last nine pool stage games at the Rugby World Cup, they’d never previously won more than four in a row before this run.

– Ireland secured a try bonus point in this game, it was the first time they’d scored 4+ tries against a Tier 1 side in a Rugby World Cup match.

– Scotland have failed to score a try in two of their last five matches (also v France in August 2019), this after crossing the try line at least once in their previous 31 Tests.

– Scotland made just three clean breaks against Ireland, their fewest in a Test match since making three in a defeat to Fiji in June 2017 – they’d averaged 10.2 per game in their 24 Tests since then.

– Rory Best became the fourth player to score a try in a Rugby World Cup match as Ireland captain, after Brian O’Driscoll (3 times), Keith Wood and Dion O’Cuinneagain.

What’s next?

Ireland face a potential banana skin against hosts Japan next Saturday, while Scotland have to wait an extra two days to face Samoa in their second pool match.

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta