Japanese dry run underlines Joe Schmidt’s juicy possibilities

You’d imagine the Irish management will be hoping for a tougher test from Japan in the concluding test in Tokyo next Saturday as there will be little to be gained from another landslide win.

Ireland can only beat what’s put in front of them and the manner in which this relatively inexperienced side dominated proceedings from start to finish can’t be ignored, but there would be a lot more to gain from a sterner test.

They may well get that in Tokyo next Saturday as Japan respond after a poor display which shows the magnitude of the task facing Jamie Joseph as he prepares to whip them into shape to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.